Lesson Title Water Resources, Regionalization and Resources of the Philippines

Week 9-10 (Forest, Minerals, Agricultural & Industrial Development in the

Philippines)
Lesson a. identify regions/provinces of the Philippines and the distinct resources in each region;
Objectives b. present an economic map which depicts the diverse resources, crops, products and
industries of each region/province; and
c. discuss the importance of identifying the different resources in each region/province of
the Philippines

Water forms and Resources in the Philippines and their specific Region
 The Philippines is bordered by Babuyan Channel to the north, the South China Sea to the west and the
Celebes Sea to the south. Its eastern coast faces the Pacific Ocean.
 From the famous Maria Cristina Falls to the breath-taking sunset in Manila Bay, the Philippines is truly
blessed with the richness of its bodies of water. A water form, or anyong tubig, most often refers to oceans,
seas, and lakes, and even includes ponds, streams, springs, and waterfalls.
 An ocean, or karagatan, is a body of water that makes up much of the earth’s hydrosphere. The earth has
one global ocean, and is divided into different geographic regions: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic
Oceans.
 The Philippines is bounded by the Pacific Ocean in the east.
In general, the sea or dagat is a portion of the ocean that is partly surrounded by land or, in some cases,
totally landlocked.
The sea controls much of the earth’s climate and plays a significant role in the water cycle, carbon cycle, and
nitrogen cycle.
 The Philippines is bounded in the west by the South China Sea, and in the south by the Sulu and Celebes Sea.
Other seas in the Philippine territory include the Bohol Sea, Camotes Sea, Samar Sea, Sibuyan Sea, Sulu Sea,
and Visayan Sea.
 Philippine Sea. A marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean east of the country, the Philippine Sea has the
Philippines and Taiwan to the west, Japan to the north, the Marianas to the east, and Palau to the south.
 Celebes Sea. A portion of an ancient ocean basin created 42 million years ago, the Celebes Sea is home to a
number of fish and aquatic creatures and an important sea route for regional trade. This body of water is
surrounded by the Sulu archipelago, Sulu Sea, and the island of Mindanao in the north, Sangihe Islands chain
in the east, Sulawesi’s Minahasa Peninsula in the south, and the northern Kalimantan in the west.
 South China Sea. A marginal sea of the West Pacific Ocean, the South China Sea has different archipelago
clusters of mostly small deserted islands, islets, reefs/atolls, and seamounts that are subject to competing
claims of sovereignty by nearby nations. This body of water is enclosed by the shores of South China in the
north, Indochinese Peninsula in the west, the islands of Taiwan and north-western Philippines in the east, and
the Borneo, eastern Sumatra, and the Bangka Belitung Islands in the south.
1. RIVER
 A river or ilog is a natural waterway, usually freshwater, formed by water from either precipitation or
glacial melt water, and runs from higher to lower grounds.
 It starts from a source (or sometimes different sources), follows a path known as a course, and stops
at a mouth or mouths. Its water is typically enclosed in a channel, composed of a stream bed
between banks.
 Notable rivers in the Philippines include Agusan River, Marikina River, Pasig River, Cagayan River,
Mindanao River, and Agno River.
 Cagayan River. Located in the Cagayan Valley, the Rio Grande de Cagayan is the country’s longest
and largest river, approximately 505 kilometers in length. It traverses through the provinces of Nueva
Vizcaya, Quirino, Isabela, and Cagayan and a major source of irrigation water for agriculture.
 Pasig River. Connecting Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay, the Pasig River stretches for 25.2 kilometers,
dividing the city of Manila and its surrounding urban area into northern and southern regions. This
river used to be a significant transport route and source of water in Manila during the Spanish era.
 Marikina River. The largest tributary of Pasig River with headwaters in the Sierra Madre in the
province of Rizal, the Marikina River is located in the eastern portion of Metro Manila.
 Agusan River. Located in the northeast of Mindanao, the Agusan River is the third largest river in the
Philippines, with a length of approximately 349 kilometers.
  Agno River. Also known as the Pangasinan River, this traverses the provinces of Benguet and
Pangasinan. Agno River used to be among the largest river systems in the Philippines, with a
drainage area of 5,952 square kilometres.
 Palawan Underground River - located in the MIMAROPA region, this is a UNESCO World Heritage site
and one of the longest underground rivers in the world. It is a major tourist attraction and source of
revenue for the region
2. GULF
 A gulf or golpo is an inlet of a lake or ocean that stretches so that it is bounded by land on three
sides, similar to but with a narrower opening than a bay.
 Famous gulfs in the country are the Leyte Gulf and Lingayen Gulf.
 Lingayen Gulf. A large gulf in the northwest of Luzon, the Lingayen Gulf extends 56 kilometers in
length. It is bounded by the provinces of Pangasinan and La Union and is situated between the
Zambales Mountains and the Cordillera Central. The Agno River drains into this gulf.
 Leyte Gulf. Located in the eastern Visayas, the Leyte Gulf is a portion of the Philippine Sea of the
Pacific Ocean, and is surrounded by two islands: Samar in the north and Leyte in the west. Its coast
houses several municipalities, such as Balangiga, Giporlos, Guiuan, Lawaan, Mercedes,
Quinapondan, and Salcedo.

3. LAKE
 A lake or lawa is a body of water, typically freshwater, surrounded by land.
 Most lakes in the Philippines are correlated to volcanic and tectonic activities, and a number of
smaller lakes fill the crates of dormant or extinct volcanoes.
 Taal Lake. Originally known as Bombón Lake, Taal Lake is a freshwater volcanic crater lake in
Batangas, which occupies the Taal Volcano. It is the third largest lake in the Philippines and its basin
was first declared a national park on July 22, 1967.
 Lake Lanao. A large ancient lake in Lanao Del Sur, this body of water is the second largest lake in the
country and the largest in Mindanao. It was formed by tectonic-volcanic damming of a basin
between two mountain ranges and the disintegration of a large volcano.
 Laguna de Bay. The largest freshwater lake in the country, Laguna Lake is found east of the National
Capital Region, between the provinces of Laguna to the south and Rizal to the north.
 Laguna Lake - located in the CALABARZON region, this is the largest lake in the Philippines and a
major source of freshwater for the surrounding areas.

4. WATERFALL
 A talon or waterfall is a river or other body of water’s steep vertical drop over a rocky ledge into a
plunge pool below.
 Maria Cristina Falls. Found in Iligan City, the majestic Maria Cristina Falls towers over 300 feet above
the forest canopy and Agus River. It is also referred to as Twin Falls because a rock near the base
splits the falling water into two different streams.
 Pagsanjan Falls. Located in Laguna, Pagsanjan Falls or the Cavinti Falls is a three-tiered waterfall
that can be reached by a river trip on dugout canoe, locally known as shooting the rapids.
 Tinago Falls. A waterfall on the Agus River, Tinago Falls is between the town of Linamon and Iligan
City in Lanao del Norte. Its name is derived from a Filipino word meaning “hidden”, given that it is
hidden in a deep ravine.
 Tinuy-an Falls. A multi-drop waterfall in Bislig, Surigao del Sur, Tinuy-an Falls is dubbed as the little
Niagara Falls of the Philippines. It displays a white water curtain that drops in three levels, and is
believed to be the widest waterfall in the country.
 Agusan Marsh - located in the Caraga region, this is a vast wetland ecosystem that serves as a habitat for a
variety of plant and animal species.
Regionalization and Resources refer to the identification and utilization of natural resources and the identification
of various regions in the Philippines. The following are the regions and their resources:

 Northern and Central Luzon - This region is known for its vast agricultural lands, including rice, corn,
sugarcane, and tobacco. It is also rich in mineral resources, such as gold, copper, and nickel. The forests in
this region are also a source of valuable timber.
 NCR and Southern Luzon - This region is the center of commerce and industry in the country. The National
Capital Region (NCR) is the center of business, while Southern Luzon is known for its fertile agricultural lands,
which produce rice, coconut, and fruits. It also has rich mineral resources such as copper, gold, and silver.
 The Visayan Islands - This region is known for its agricultural products such as sugarcane, coconut, and
abaca. It also has rich fishing grounds and is a source of marine products. The region is also home to various
handicraft industries such as pottery, weaving, and woodcarving.
 Mindanao - This region is rich in mineral resources such as gold, copper, and nickel. It is also known for its
vast agricultural lands, which produce rice, corn, bananas, and pineapples. Mindanao is also the center of
the country's logging industry, with its vast forests.
 Sulu Island - This region is located in the southernmost part of the Philippines and is known for its abundant
marine resources. It is also a center of pearl farming and has rich agricultural lands that produce coconuts,
rubber, and fruits.

History and recent activities of Forest and Mineral Resources, Agricultural Resources and Industrial Development
in the Philippines and their specific region examples
1. Forest Resources: The Philippines has a long history of deforestation, which has had negative impacts on the
country's biodiversity and water supply. In recent years, efforts have been made to reforest areas and
promote sustainable forestry practices. In the Cordillera region, the Ifugao people have practiced sustainable
forest management for centuries through their rice terraces and forest gardens.
Examples:
 Dipterocarp forest - This type of forest is characterized by trees from the Dipterocarpaceae family, which are
known for their commercial value as timber.
 Mangrove forest - Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees or shrubs that grow in coastal areas. They provide
important ecosystem services, such as shoreline protection, carbon sequestration, and habitat for various
marine organisms.
 Agoho forest - Agoho trees (Casuarina equisetifolia) are often found in coastal areas and are known for their
resilience to salt spray and wind.
 Mossy forest - This type of forest is characterized by its dense growth of mosses and other epiphytes, as well
as its unique flora and fauna.
 Pine forest - Pine trees (Pinus spp.) are often found in high-altitude areas, such as in Benguet and the
Cordillera region, and are known for their commercial value as timber and for their scenic beauty.

2. Mineral Resources: The Philippines is known for its rich deposits of copper, gold, nickel, and other minerals.
The largest mining operations are located in the Caraga region in Mindanao, where both large-scale and
small-scale mining activities take place. However, the mining industry has been controversial due to its
environmental impacts and displacement of indigenous communities.
Examples:
 Gold - The Philippines is the fifth-largest gold producer in the world. The gold deposits are primarily located
in the Cordillera region of the country.
 Copper - The Philippines is the largest copper producer in Southeast Asia and the third-largest in the world.
The country's copper deposits are found in the Caraga Region, particularly in Surigao Del Norte and Surigao
Del Sur.
 Nickel - The Philippines is one of the largest producers of nickel in the world. The nickel deposits are
primarily located in the Caraga Region, particularly in Surigao Del Norte and Surigao Del Sur, as well as in
Palawan.
 Chromite - The Philippines is the world's top producer of chromite. The country's chromite deposits are
found in the Zambales and Dinagat Islands.
 Coal - The Philippines has large coal reserves, primarily located in the Semirara Island in Antique province, as
well as in the provinces of Cebu and Zamboanga Del Norte.
  Iron - The Philippines has significant iron reserves, particularly in the provinces of Camarines Norte and
Camarines Sur.
 Limestone - The Philippines has large limestone deposits, particularly in the provinces of Bulacan, Batangas,
and Cebu. Limestone is used for cement production, among other purposes.

3. Agricultural Resources: The Philippines is an agricultural country, with rice as its primary crop. The Central
Luzon region is known as the country's rice granary, producing the majority of the nation's rice. Other crops
grown in the Philippines include corn, sugarcane, and coconut. The Visayas region is known for its sugarcane
plantations, while the Bicol region is known for its abaca production.
Examples:
 Rice - The Philippines is one of the top producers of rice in the world, and it is the country's staple food.
 Coconut - The Philippines is the world's second-largest producer of coconuts, which are used for a variety of
products, such as oil, milk, and fiber.
 Fruits - The country is also known for its tropical fruits, such as mangoes, bananas, pineapples, and papayas.
 Vegetables - Vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, and okra are widely grown and consumed in the
Philippines.
 Livestock and poultry - The country is also a major producer of livestock and poultry products such as pork,
chicken, and eggs.
 Fish and seafood - The Philippines is an archipelagic country surrounded by waters rich in fish and other
seafood, which make up a significant portion of the country's diet and economy.

4. Industrial Development: The Philippines has been working to increase its industrial development in recent
years, with the government implementing policies to attract foreign investment and promote the
manufacturing sector. The CALABARZON region, located south of Metro Manila, is a key hub for the
country's industrial development, with industries such as electronics, automotive, and food processing
present. The Subic Bay Freeport Zone in the Central Luzon region is another key industrial hub, with a focus
on shipbuilding, logistics, and tourism.
Examples:
 Electronics - The Philippines is a major producer of semiconductors, consumer electronics, and electronic
components.
 Manufacturing - The manufacturing sector includes the production of textiles, garments, processed foods,
and other products.
 Automotive - The Philippines has a growing automotive industry that includes the production of cars,
motorcycles, and other vehicles.
 Construction - With a growing economy and a large population, the construction industry in the Philippines
is booming, and includes both residential and commercial construction.
 Energy - The Philippines has significant potential for renewable energy, particularly in wind and solar power,
and the country is investing in the development of these resources.
 Tourism - Tourism is a major contributor to the Philippine economy, and the country has a growing
hospitality and tourism industry, including hotels, resorts, and other tourism-related businesses.

Resources:
https://kidskonnect.com/geography/philippine-waterforms/