Laguna (Province)
Also known as: Resort Capital of the Philippines · Birthplace of Jose Rizal · Silicon Valley of the Philippines (Sta. Rosa-Calamba corridor)
Definition
Laguna is a Philippine province in the Calabarzon region (Region IV-A). Its capital is Santa Cruz, and it surrounds much of Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the Philippines. Bordering Metro Manila and Rizal (north), Quezon (east), Batangas (south), and Cavite (west), it has 24 municipalities and six cities, including Calamba (birthplace of Jose Rizal), Los Banos (home of UP Los Banos), and San Pablo (seven crater lakes). It is celebrated for hot springs at the foot of Mount Makiling and the industrial parks of the Calamba-Sta. Rosa corridor.
Identities
| Source | Identifier |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | Laguna (province) |
| Wikidata | Q13840 |
| DBpedia | Laguna_(province) |
Also Known As
- Resort Capital of the Philippines
- Birthplace of Jose Rizal
- Silicon Valley of the Philippines (Sta. Rosa-Calamba corridor)
Examples and Analogies
Laguna is a tech-and-resort exurb: an industrial corridor with an adjacent leisure landscape of hot springs and lakeside retreats, like spa towns in volcanic regions.
Usage Scenarios
It is referenced in industrial location studies (the Calamba-Sta. Rosa automotive and electronics corridor), agricultural science through UP Los Banos and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), resort tourism, and pilgrimage tourism.
Strategies
Provincial strategy emphasizes science-and-technology parks near UP Los Banos, tourism around hot springs, lakes, and Mount Makiling, agricultural-research commercialization via UPLB and IRRI linkages, and transit projects (South Commuter Railway, CALAX, SLEX TR-4).
Security and Safety Measures
The provincial PNP coordinates with the Calabarzon regional police for industrial-estate security. The PDRRMO manages typhoon flooding around Laguna de Bay, landslides on Mounts Banahaw and Makiling, and earthquake risk along the West Valley Fault.
Historical Context
One of the earliest Spanish provinces, established in 1581. Calamba is the birthplace of Jose Rizal (1861), whose home is a national shrine. Los Banos became a center of agricultural education with UP’s 1909 College of Agriculture, evolving into UPLB.
Challenges and Controversies
Severe traffic and flooding in the industrial belt, pollution and overfishing of Laguna de Bay, lakeshore informal settlements, the seismic risk of the West Valley Fault, and disputes over quarrying and water extraction around Mount Makiling recur.
Related Topic
Calamba City