Romblon
Romblon is a province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA Region (Region IV-B) of Luzon. The province covers roughly 1,533.45 square kilometers and is composed of 17 municipalities with a total of 219 barangays. The capital of the province is Romblon. The province was named after its capital town, Romblon, and it is known as the “Marble Capital of the Philippines” due to its rich marble deposits and craftsmanship. It is also recognized for its pristine beaches, clear waters, and island-hopping destinations.
HISTORY
Romblon’s history traces back to pre-colonial times when Negritos and settlers from Panay and Mindoro inhabited the islands. The Spaniards arrived in 1571, placing Romblon under the encomienda system and introducing Christianity through missionaries who built churches and fortifications. The people endured forced labor, tributes, and Moro raids during the Spanish period. In the late 1800s, Romblomanons joined the Philippine Revolution against Spain. The Americans later took control in 1901, initially making Romblon a sub-province of Capiz, but it regained its provincial status in 1917. During World War II, Romblon was occupied by Japanese forces from 1942 until its liberation in 1945 by guerrillas and Allied troops. In the post-war years, the province gradually developed and became famous as the “Marble Capital of the Philippines” due to its world-class marble deposits. Today, Romblon is not only recognized for its marble craftsmanship but also for its natural beauty, pristine islands, and rich cultural heritage, making it both historically significant and a growing tourist destination.
QUICK FACTS | |
| Population Census (2024) | 302,824 |
| Land Area (2015) | 1,533.45 km² |
| No. of households | 77,639 |
| Average Household Size | 3.97 |
| Registered Voters | 211,336 |
| Major Landmarks | Fort San Andres |
| Coastal Access | yes |
| Economic Zone estimated elevation above sea level | 40 meters |
Map
Romblon Province is located in the MIMAROPA Region (Region IV-B) in the central part of the Philippines, situated between the islands of Mindoro to the west and Masbate to the east, and bounded by the Sibuyan Sea, Tablas Strait, and Romblon Pass. It is composed of three major islands—Tablas, Sibuyan, and Romblon—along with several smaller islands.
MUNICIPALITIES POPULATION DATA
Romblon has 17 municipalities and 219 barangays.
| name | type | barangay_count | population_2020 | population_2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcantara | Municipality | 13 | 17037 | 17676 |
| Banton | Municipality | 17 | 5377 | 5577 |
| Cajidiocan | Municipality | 15 | 23110 | 23986 |
| Calatrava | Municipality | 14 | 11103 | 11521 |
| Concepcion | Municipality | 17 | 10306 | 10695 |
| Corcuera | Municipality | 17 | 10855 | 11263 |
| Ferrol | Municipality | 11 | 7909 | 8205 |
| Looc | Municipality | 12 | 22903 | 23765 |
| Magdiwang | Municipality | 9 | 15944 | 16546 |
| Odiongan | Municipality | 18 | 49457 | 51307 |
| Romblon | Municipality, Capital | 31 | 40979 | 42538 |
| San Agustin | Municipality | 13 | 23579 | 24468 |
| San Andres | Municipality | 13 | 14702 | 15254 |
| San Fernando | Municipality | 11 | 25047 | 25995 |
| San Jose | Municipality | 10 | 11500 | 11932 |
| Santa Fe | Municipality | 11 | 17424 | 18079 |
| Sibuyan | Municipality | 16 | 20906 | 21692 |
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population by Age Group
Based on the 2020 Census, the largest age group is 10-14, with 34,631 individuals, followed closely by those aged 15-19 years (33,756) and 5-9 years (32,183). In contrast, the smallest population is found in 75-79, with only 4,411 individuals.
| age | population_2020 |
|---|---|
| 5-9 | 32183 |
| 10-14 | 34631 |
| 15-19 | 33756 |
| 75-79 | 4411 |
Population by Gender
In 2020, the population was composed of approximately 50.63% males and 49.37% females, indicating a higher number of males than females.
ECONOMY
Agricultural Production Trends (2018–2023)
From 2018 to 2023, crop production in Romblon remained the highest among all sectors, ranging from 2,217 metric tons in 2020 to 2,867 metric tons in 2022. Livestock output fluctuated, with a low of 767 metric tons in 2020 and a peak of 1,420 metric tons in 2022. Poultry steadily increased from 308 metric tons in 2018 to 610 metric tons in 2022, before slightly declining to 592 metric tons in 2023. Meanwhile, fisheries production showed consistent growth, rising from 659 metric tons in 2018 to 891 metric tons in 2023.
| title | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Crops | 2867 | 2745 |
| Livestock | 1420 | 1305 |
| Poultry | 610 | 592 |
| Fisheries | 834 | 891 |