Central Visayas is the second smallest region in
the Philippines with a total land area of 14,923
square kilometers. Comprising these provinces
are 16 cities, 3 of which are highly urbanized
and the rest are component cities. The region
has 116 municipalities and 3,003 barangays.
The regional center is Cebu City.
officially designated as Region VII, is an
administrative region in the Philippines
occupying the central section of the Visayas. It
covers 4 provinces, namely, Bohol, Cebu,
Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
16 cities that complete the Central Visayas Region; these are:
1. Tagbilaran City
2. Bogo City
3. Carcar City
4. Cebu City
5. Danao City
6. Lapu-Lapu City
7. Mandaue City
8. Naga City
9. Talisay City
10. Bais City
11. Bayawan City
12. Canlaon City
13. Dumaguete City
14. Guihulngan City
15. Tanjay City
16. Toledo City
1. Bohol -Tagbiliran city
2. Cebu- Cebu City
3. Negros Oriental - Dumaguete
4. Siquijor-Municipality of siquijor
3 highly urbanized cities
1. Cebu city
2. Lapu-Lapu
3. Mandaue
Cebuano: The Cebuano people make up the majority
of the indigenous population in Central Visayas and the
entire Visayas area as a whole. Their Sinulog Festival, a
vibrant and exuberant event in honor of the Santo Niño,
is well-known.
Boholano: The province of Bohol is home to the
majority of this indigenous tribe, which is the second-
largest in Central Visayas. They are renowned for its
chocolate hills, tarsiers, and beaches and have their
own distinct language, culture, and traditions.
Waray: The Waray people are primarily present in
Eastern Visayas, while they are also widely dispersed
throughout Central Visayas. They are noted for their
vibrant celebrations, such as the Pintados-Kasadyaan
Festival in Leyte, and have their own unique language
and culture.
The Cebuano language is the region's lingua franca. The region is also
dominated by the native speakers of four Visayan languages: Bantayanon,
Boholano, Hiligaynon, and Porohanon. With a population of 8,081,988
inhabitants, it is the most populous region in the Visayas.
The native languages of Central Visayas are:
Bantayanon, spoken in Bantayan Island of Cebu.
Boholano, a Cebuano dialect spoken in Bohol.
Cebuano, spoken in Cebu, Negros Oriental, Bohol, and Siquijor. It is
the regional lingua franca.
Hiligaynon, spoken in western Negros Oriental.
Porohanon, spoken in Camotes Islands of Cebu.
Bohol is located about 70 kilometers southeast of Mactan Island. Lying southeast across the Cebu Strait
(referred to by some as the Bohol Strait) and southwest from Leyte Island, is separated by the Camotes Sea
and Canigao Channel. Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines.
Tagbilaran City is the capital of the province.
Rice, Corn, coconut, root crops, vegetables, fruits, poultry, fish, prawns, crabs, seaweeds are the products of
Bohol.
The province is a popular tourist destination with its beaches and resorts. The Chocolate Hills, numerous
mounds of brown-colored limestone formations, are the most popular attraction. Panglao Island, located
southwest of Tagbilaran, is famous for its diving locations and is listed as one of the top ten diving locations in
the world.. The Philippine tarsier, amongst the world’s smallest primates, is indigenous to the island.
Cebu is one of the most developed provinces in the Philippines. Cebu City is the
capital of the province and referred to as the “Queen City Of The South.”
Cebu City as the main center of commerce, trade, education and industry in the Visayas
has transformed into a global hub for shipping, furniture-making, tourism, business
processing services, and heavy industry.
Siquijor is the smallest province in the region and the 3rd
smallest province in the country. It is classified as a 5th class
province and has one congressional district. Previously a sub-
province of Negros Oriental, it became an independent
province by virtue of Republic Act 6398 enacted on September
17, 1971. It has a total land area of 343.5 square kilometers
boasting of a 102 kilometer long coastline.
Negros Oriental is situated in the southeastern portion of
Negros Island. Surrounded on the north and west by its
neighboring province, Negros Occidental; the province is a mix
of culture and modernization.
Dumaguete City is the capital of Negros Oriental. The province
is divided from Cebu Island by the Tañon Strait.
