Greetings!
Nowadays website becomes an essential part of an organization. A website makes strong impact of our image as an institution. Websites having no boundaries as far as place or region or country concerned, is our easy way of communicating our concerns as well as getting feedbacks on how we perform.
I hope that this website will provide invaluable guidance and assistance to those seeking entry into Region I as well as bring us closer to foster better relationship with our clients.Through this website, intra-regional transactions should likewise be stimulated that hopefully, will also stimulate the development of our region.
DIR. GILBERT B. GUMABAY
OIC Regional Director
Welcome to BLGF Region 6.
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ABOUT US
Vision
BLGF of the Department of Finance is the focal agency and an authority in local finance that aims to be at the forefront of local economic growth leading the way towards national development.
Functional Statement
- Supervises and coordinate the conduct of local treasury and assessment operations of the provinces, cities and municipalities within the region for proper implementation of laws, decrees, rules and regulations and administrative issuances of the Department.
- Establish liaison and linkage with other regional offices and agencies of the national government in the region for the purpose of closer coordination in the execution of national regional plans or programs in the area.
- Coordinate in the prosecution of local government projects.
- Undertake researches, studies and related activities for purpose of formulation and execution of policies that would promote the financial stability and growth of the local government.
- Supervises and monitor the execution of taxmapping and other real property assessment projects of the local government units within the region.
- Approve the individual schedules of values of real property prepared by the provincial and city assessors in the region.
- Coordinate the plans, programs and activities of local treasury and assessment offices in the conduct of tax collections drives and tax information and education campaigns.
- Subject to the approval of the Department of Finance, conduct regional training programs, seminar-workshops, conferences, and other allied activities designed primarily for the improvement of administrative and technical skills in the local treasury and assessment offices.
- Perform such other functions as may be prescribed by law or as may be delegated by the Secretary of Finance.
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PROFILE OF THE REGION
Political Subdivision
Region VI, Western Visayas, consists of six provinces; Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo with 16 component cities making it the region with the highest number of cities. Iloilo City is the regional center. The presence of almost all the government agencies’ regional offices in the city and it’s geographical proximity to the provinces affirm Iloilo City as the regional center. The province of Aklan occupies the northwestern coastal plain of the island of Panay. Its 1,853 km supports a population of 441,000 in seventeen municipalities, of which Kalibo is the capital. After strenuous and sustained political efforts, Aklan was separated from Capiz by act of the national legislature in April 1956. Agriculture is a prominent part of the economy, principal products being rice, maize, coconuts, and cut flowers. Ocean- fishing is also important, as is tourism, Boracay, an internationally known, world-class white-sand island-resort just offshore. Kalibo is known also for the mother of Philippine Festivals. Ati-Atihan held every third week of January, the Bakhawan Eco-park (Philippines’ most successful mangrove reforestation project), and Piñacloth weaving. Inland fishing and aquaculture yield several export products.
Meat-processing and paper-related cottage industries are widespread, and rattan furniture is manufactured for export. The province of Antique, on the western side of Panay Island, is separated from the other provinces by a long range of mountains. One of these, Mt. Madia-as, is the highest mountain on the island, a dormant volcano adorned with several lakes and more than a dozen waterfalls. The population is largely Austronesian; according to legend, they were immigrants from Borneo centuries before the Spanish arrived. The area was made a separate province by the Spanish government in 1790. Its name seems to be a Spanish adaptation of a local word, with eighteen towns, of which San Jose de Buenavista is the capital. Agriculture is important; sugar and coconuts lead, with coconut oil and coconut wine both being significant. Ocean fishing is also important; one website speaks of “the tuna highway along the coast.” Seaweed is harvested. Marble and gemstones are mined. Other valuable mineral deposits are known but undisturbed. Like Capiz, it seems to have enormous potential for tourism, its many miles of sandy beaches being sparsely settled. There are also hot springs in the mountains. Iloilo occupies the southern and northeastern portion of Panay Island; to the north of Iloilo lies the Province of Capiz and Jintotolo Channel, Guimaras Strait washes its southern shores, to the eastern side, the calm waters of Panay Gulf and Iloilo Strait, and the Province of Antique is in the west. Composed of 42 municipalities and two cities, Iloilo and Passi, Its unique location has made Iloilo the commercial, cultural and intellectual center of Western Visayas from the dawn of history. Strategically, it is considered as one of the main tourist´s entrance here in the region. Iloilo City, the vibrant provincial capital, is a booming financial center.
Climate
The region has no pronounced climate. It has a short dry season and is relatively wet the rest of the year.
Languages and Dialects
The languages native to the inhabitants of Western Visayas are Hiligaynon, spoken in Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, and Capiz (where it is known as Capiznon). It is the lingua franca of the region. Kinaray-a, spoken in Antique and parts of Iloilo, Capiz and Aklan. Akeanon, spoken in Aklan. Malaynon, spoken in Aklan. Cebuano, spoken in the eastern parts of Negros Occidental.
Major Industries
Iloilo province is primarily the commercial and trade center of Western Visayas, with commercial, industrial development and rural banks, financial and investment houses, insurance companies, and real estate agencies and developers. Nevertheless, agriculture is the province’s main source of livelihood. In fact, Iloilo’s production of rice, sugar and mango has made it one of the country’s top agricultural producers.
Fishing is the second biggest industry, for the region has rich fishing grounds. Iloilo is the site of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center which conducts researches on the spawning of milkfish and prawns; and the University of Philippines (Miag-ao) which is the center of marine and aquatic studies in the Philippines. The multi-million peso Iloilo Fish Port also helps maximize the production of inland and deep-sea fisheries in Western Visayas. The Iloilo Commercial Port Complex, the first island pier in the country, is a multi- purpose port terminal which caters to both domestic and foreign containerized and convention sites.
Cottage industries in the region include pottery, ceramics-making, weaving, woodcraft and handicraft.
Specialty Food
- Batchoy -is a noodle soup made with pork organs, crushed pork cracklings, shrimp, vegetables, chicken stock, chicken breast, beef loin and round noodles.Its origins can be traced to the district of La Paz, Iloilo City in the Philippines, hence it is oftentimes referred to as La Paz Batchoy.
- Pancit Molo-famous dish from the food-loving Ilonggo´s is Pancit Molo named after a well-know district in the province. This pancit is unlike other pancit becauses it is not dry but soupy and it does not make use of long, thin noodles but instead wanton wrappers made from rice flour. Leftover wanton wrappers can also be cut into strips and drop into the hot broth.
- Tinu-om -is a popular Aklan dish composed of a native chicken which is sliced into small sized parts and layered with chopped garlic, ginger, white onions, lemon grass and tomatoes and sprinkled with black pepper and salt. Sliced pieces of potatoes are an optional addition. The native chicken and these ingredients are then wrapped tightly in banana leaves and then properly placed in a hot bowl and then steamed into tasty doneness.
- Delicacies
- Baye Baye-Pavia, Iloilo
- Biscocho-Jaro, Iloilo
- Piyaya-Bacolod City
- Dilis-Capiz
Famous Activities/Festivals
The following are the famous activities/events/festivals being held in Region 6:
Dinagyang Festival Dinagyang which means “merry making”, it is a celebration of Ilonggo´s spirit of revelry and eternal devotion to the Senior Sto. Niño. This celebration is fueled by invigorating drumbeats and panoramic kaleidoscope of motions, colors and enchantment . This festival is celebrated every last Sunday of January in the City of Iloilo. It is considered as the major festival of the province of Iloilo.
Masskara is a cardinal symbol that depicts the many faces of life and the challenges it brings to the people of Negros Occidental. It is a festival of thanksgiving for the bounty showered upon the Negrenses during the season of harvest. Animated street dancing highlights the celebration flocked in by thousands of spectators from all over the country.
Ati Atihan Festival is a feast in honor of the Santo Niño, is celebrated on the second Sunday after Epiphany. Catholics observe this special day with processions, parades, dancing, and merrymaking. The Santo Niño has long been the favorite of Filipinos and devotion to it has been intense ever since an image was first presented to Juana, Queen of Cebu, in 1521.
Manggahan Festival sg Guimaras. It has been 12 years since the island of Guimaras was proclaimed an independent province. Every year, Guimarasnons express their colorful way of life through a festival called Manggahan Festival sg Guimaras. The island is not only known locally and nationally for its fresh and bountiful harvest of mangoes, but also for the artistry of its people.
Binirayan Antique´s annual festival. Literally means, “where they landed”, this recalls the story of the ten Bornean datus led by Datu Puti and Datu Sumakwel who fled from the oppressive rule of Sultan Makatunaw and their subsequent settlement in Panay in the early 15 th century.
Tultugan Festival The people from the municipality of Maasin, Iloilo features the competition of tribes and street dancing with participants wearing native costumes made of bamboo as dominant material and dancing to the live beats of bamboo instruments.
BinanogThe wealth of Lambunao´s cultural and religious essence cannot only be traced on its wonderful church, plaza and famous attractions such as the “Tinagong dagat”, the “Bukidnons” and their “Binukot” women but through its legendary “Binanog” dance that was artistically transformed into a major festivity of the town every first week of January.
Salakayan FestivalThe Miag-aoanons are known in the region as among the bravest people in the local history. This bravery marks their Salakayan Festival. Further, this humble town kept an age-old weaving wealth that has left unfading marks of relevance in the hearts of the Ilonggos . Its world-renowned age-old church which is included in the Unesco´s World Heritage List add glitter and significance to the town´s greatness.
Carabao-Carroza FestivalPavia´s fiesta celebration is held every May and is highlighted by its world-famed Carabao-Carroza Festival celebrated annually. This 31-year old festival displays the Pavianhon´s ingenuity as a people.
Hiloanay Festivalis celebrated in the Municipality of Sigma, Capiz. Along a narrow river, several bamboo rafts rendezvous in an orderly fashion. One raft after another cross the river. A few blocks away, on a bridge’s platform, hundreds and hundreds of spectators watch as the rafts disembark at the adjacent dam.
Hirinugyaw-Suguidadonayheld in the municipality of Calinog, Iloilo Province. In the wake of modernization and technological breakthrough in the world today, this festival is an age-old cultural heritage that mirrors the vast wealth of the past.Population
Province Number of PopulationAklanAntique535,725546,031CapizGuimaras719,685162953Iloilo1,805,576Negros Occidental2,396,039Land Area
Province NSCB DataAssessors DataAklanAntique1,817.9 sq. km.2,552.0 sq. km. CapizGuimaras2,633.2 sq. km.604.6 sq. km. Iloilo4,719.4 sq. km. Negros Occidental7,926.1 sq. km.
