The islands of the Philippines are organized into three distinct island groups according to 

regions:
Luzon comprises Regions I to V, CAR, and NCR; Visayas comprises Regions VI to VIII; and
Mindanao comprises Regions IX to XIII and BARMM. If a province is reassigned into a new region, it
may also be reassigned to a new island group, as is the case with Palawan, when it was temporarily
assigned from Mimaropa to Western Visayas and thus temporarily was considered part of the
Visayas.
The island groups themselves do not have governments of their own, but are instead divided into
provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays, which do have their own local governments. The
island groups are used for statistical convenience and in some cases, there are national government
agencies that have created positions that cover the island groups such as the Assistant Secretary for
Regional Operations in Mindanao in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) or the
Assistant Secretary for Luzon Affairs in the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD).
Although the island groups do not have local governments, hence capitals, certain cities have
become the political, economic and cultural centers of the island groups. Manila is the
national capital and is the de facto capital of Luzon, though neighboring Quezon City, a former
capital, has more inhabitants than Manila. Cebu, on the province and island of the same name, is
the chief city of the Visayas. Mindanao's main city is Davao, towards its southeast.

Internal[edit]
This list denotes prominent usages of the term "mainland" to distinguish between distinct regions
within a single country based on an "islands-to-mainland" relationship. Note that the "mainland" can
sometimes consist of a large island rather than a continental landmass.

 Mainland Argentina, as opposed to Tierra del Fuego Province (including Argentinian

Antarctic claims), as well as other islands of Argentina
 Mainland Australia, as opposed to the island of Tasmania and other Australian islands,
especially those not part of Australia proper.
 Mainland Brazil, as opposed to Abrolhos, Fernando de Noronha, Ilhabela, Saint Peter
and Saint Paul and Trindade and Martim Vaz.
 Mainland Britain, as opposed to the many smaller islands of the United Kingdom. The
largest islands within the Northern Isles are called Orkney Mainland and Shetland
Mainland, respectively.
 Mainland Canada, as opposed to Canadian Islands, particularly those in the Maritimes or
in the Arctic
o the Mainland Colony was the mainland part of British Columbia, prior to its
merger with Vancouver Island; today, the term "Lower Mainland" refers the
southernmost part of the coast of British Columbia
o the continental part of Nova Scotia, as opposed to Cape Breton Island and
other Nova Scotian islands
 Mainland Chile, as opposed to remote islands of the Chilean Sea, Tierra Del
Fuego and Chilean Antarctic claims, as well as offshore islands of Chile such as
the Chiloé Archipelago and Easter Island
 the Cuban Mainland, as opposed to the Canarreos Archipelago and other islands of
Cuba
 Mainland Denmark, as opposed to overseas parts of the Danish Realm; geographically,
Denmark proper consists of a continental portion called Jutland and nearby Danish Isles
o the main island is Greenland, excluding Disko Island and other islands of
Greenland
  Mainland Ecuador, as opposed to the Galapagos Islands and other islands of Ecuador
 Mainland Equatorial Guinea, as opposed to the non-continental parts of the country
 Mainland Estonia, as opposed to the West Estonian archipelago with two of the
fifteen counties and other islands of Estonia
 Mainland Finland, as opposed to the Åland Islands; historically, Finland proper made up
the southwestern portion of the mainland
 Mainland France, as opposed to Corsica and other islands within European France; also
used loosely as an antonym of Overseas France, despite the fact that the
term Metropolitan France is more apt
o the main island of New Caledonia, as opposed to the Loyalty Islands and
other islands of New Caledonia
 Mainland Greece (including the island of Euboia), as opposed to the Greek islands
 the main island of Iceland, as opposed to other islands of Iceland
 Mainland India, as opposed to its insular union territories or any other islands of India
 Mainland Italy, as opposed to its Insular Regions or any other islands of Italy
 Mainland Japan, as opposed to the other Home Islands, or to remote islands of Japan,
such as the Nanpō Islands
 the main island of Madagascar, as opposed to other islands of Madagascar
 Mainland Malaysia as opposed to East Malaysia or to any islands of Malaysia
 Mainland Malta, as opposed to Gozo and other islands of Malta
 Mainland Netherlands as opposed to the Dutch Caribbean; the Netherlands proper
contains numerous offshore islands
 Mainland New Zealand, is the two islands, the north and south islands. The South
Island of New Zealand is sometimes jokingly called the Mainland or the main island,
especially by South Islanders themselves. Though it has a far smaller population, it is
larger than the North Island. "Mainland New Zealand" more commonly refers to
the archipelago made up of the North and South Island and smaller nearby islands, often
excluding more outlying islands such as the Chatham Islands, and always excluding
remote insular parts of the Realm of New Zealand.
 Mainland Norway, as opposed to Svalbard and other islands of Norway, including its
overseas dependencies
o the main island of Svalbard, as opposed to Nordaustlandet and other Islands
of Svalbard
 the mainland part of Papua New Guinea, as opposed to the Islands Region or to any
other islands of Papua New Guinea
In the United States[edit]
In October 2015, Jollibee announced that it has acquired a 40-percent stake in Smashburger in a
deal that values the American fast-casual burger chain at $335 million. [32] In December 2018 Jollibee
acquired 100 percent of the shares in Smashburger, gaining a full control of the American
hamburger chain.[33]
On September 7, 2018, Jollibee Foods Corporation announced its acquisition of 47% stake in US-
based Mexican food restaurant, Tortas Frontera of Rick Bayless for $12.4 million.[34]
On July 24, 2019, Jollibee Foods Corporation purchased The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for $350
million.[35]
Foreign brands in the Philippines[edit]

A Burger King outlet in Quezon City.

In October 2011, Jollibee acquired a 54% stake in BK Titans, Inc., the sole franchisee of Burger
King in the Philippines.[36]
On September 27, 2018, JFC announced its 50-50 joint venture with Chinese-American restaurant
chain, Panda Express to bring its stores to the Philippines. [37] On July 8, 2019, both JFC and Panda
Express' parent company, Panda Restaurant Group formed their joint venture company, JBPX
Foods, Inc. after its incorporation by Securities and Exchange Commission.[6]
In September 2017, it was reported that JFC is considering to bid for the acquisition of British
sandwich multinational chain Pret a Manger for at least $1 billion.[38] But it was acquired instead
by JAB Holding Company, in 2018.[39]
On February 16, 2021, JFC announced that it has entered a joint venture with Yoshinoya
International Philippines (which is a unit subsidiary of Asia Yoshinoya International SDN BHD and
Yoshinoya Holdings Co. Ltd.[40][41]) to establish a company that would serve as the franchisee
of Yoshinoya in the country after Century Pacific Food's franchise deal with the Japanese fast food
chain ended.[42][43] Under the new deal, there are plans to open 50 stores in the country in the long-
term.[44] The company, which is named Yoshinoya Jollibee Foods, Inc. was incorporated in June 22,
2021.[40][41]