Romblon Province
is a cluster of twenty islands lying in the Sibuyan Sea, that is
practically at the center of the Philippine archipelago. It is south
of Marinduque, west of Masbate, east of Mindoro, and north of Panay
Island. Romblon is also known as the "Marble Country".
|
BRIEF PROFILE
|
| Capital: |
Romblon |
| Land Area: |
1 355.9 sq
km |
| Population: |
224 000 |
| Cities: |
none |
| Number of Towns: |
17 |
The land_______________________________
Romblon consists of three main islands: Romblon, Tablas and Sibuyan.
The whole province is generally mountainous. Narrow strips of
coastal lowland, low hills and plains characterize some of the
islands.
It is relatively dry from November to April, and wet during the
rest of the year.
A Brief History___________________________
The first Spaniards who came to visit the province in 1582, named
it "Lomlon".
In 1818, Romblon was made a sub-province of Capiz.
A civil government was established in the islands by the Americans
in 1901.
Romblon was created as a province in 1901 but due to insufficient
income, it became a sub-province of Capiz in 1907 until 1917,
when it was re-established as a province.
Romblon was abolished as a province in 1941. On January 1, 1947
it regained its provincial status.
The People______________________________
The earliest residents of the province were believed to be Negritos
from Panay and Mangyans from Mindoro.
Today, Romblon´s population is made up of several ethnolinguistic
groups. Majority are descendants of Malay settlers in Panay. Ilonggo
and Tagalog are widely spoken, although some areas have their
own distinct dialects.
Commerce and Industry_____________________
Romblon has become synonymous with its most important mineral
resource - marble. In fact, all the islands comprising the province
have marble. Quarries on these islands produce raw marble for
sculpture and construction purposes.
The occupations of the people include farming, livestock raising,
and logging. The Sibuyan Sea provide year-round fishing opportunities.
During the off-season, farmhands engage themselves in cottage
industries such as basket-weaving, rope and fishnet making, and
marble curing.
The women of Romblon are mostly involved in crocheting.
Getting There and Away_____________________
Domestic flights are available from Manila.
Ferries from neighbouring island provinces depart for Romblon
several times a week.
Other Information__________________________
The capital town of Romblon has one of the safest natural harbors
in the country. A few kilometers away from the town proper in barangay
Suwa are the beaches of Bonbon and Tiamban. Off the coast are islets
with white sand beaches.
St. Joseph Cathedral in Romblon town was built by the recollect
fathers in the 15th century and features a Byzantine altar, stained-glass
windows, and a collection of antique icons and religious paintings.
Fort San Andres is an old Spanish fort made of coral bricks atop
a hill in the town proper. It is now used as a weather station.
