Occidental Mindoro is a province in MIMAROPA (Region IV-B) in the Philippines. It covers about 5,865.71 square kilometers and is composed of 11 municipalities, subdivided into 162 barangays. The capital of the province is Mamburao, which also serves as its administrative and commercial center. Known as the 'Marine Wonderland of the Philippines,' Occidental Mindoro is rich in both land and marine resources, with fertile agricultural lands, abundant fisheries, and diverse coastal ecosystems. The province is also home to the indigenous Mangyan communities and boasts scenic natural attractions, including pristine beaches, mountains, and protected marine areas such as Apo Reef, one of the largest coral reef systems in Asia.

History

Occidental Mindoro was originally inhabited by the Mangyan people, who lived in the mountains and engaged in simple trade with early Chinese and Asian merchants. When the Spaniards arrived in the 1570s, the island was placed under the administration of Batangas. Christianity was introduced, but development was hampered by forced labor, heavy tributes, and frequent Moro pirate raids. During the American period, Mindoro was first made a sub-province of Marinduque in 1902 and became a regular province in 1921. The Americans introduced infrastructure, education, and health services, which attracted settlers from Batangas, Ilocos, and the Visayas. These migrants transformed Mindoro into a growing agricultural and fishing hub. On June 13, 1950, Republic Act No. 505 divided the island into Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro, with Mamburao as the capital of the western province. Since then, Occidental Mindoro has become known for its agricultural productivity, rich marine resources, and natural wonders like Apo Reef, while preserving the heritage of the Mangyan people.