Source: National Statistics Office (NSO)
The regions CY 2000 population reached 4.67 million. This
was 6.11 percent of the countrys total and 7th in rank
among the 16 regions of the country. Among provinces, Albay
and Sorsogon increased their respective shares while those
of the rest of the provinces decreased, albeit maintaining
their 1990 ranking. In terms of land area, the region ranked
9th with 17,632.5 square kilometers or 5.88% of the
countrys land area.
Distributed among
municipalities/cities, Legazpi Citys population ranked
first for four consecutive census periods (1970 2000) as
its growth rate also steadily increased. Naga City, Tabaco
and Daraga consistently maintained their 2nd, 3rd and 4th
positions, respectively. The municipality of Sorsogon
exhibited very fast and high incremental growth. From rank
13th in 1970, it rose to 5th in the 2000 Census of
Population. The opening of ports in the province led to the
development of business and tourism sites in the area.
Subsequently, its growth resulted to the merging of the
municipalities of Sorsogon and Bacon and to the eventual
conversion of Sorsogon into a city in the year 2000.
The population sizes and growth rates of the region for
census years 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 by province and
municipalities are presented in Annex 3.16. In 1970,
Camarines Sur was the only province with close to a million
population. Albay, which was next in rank, reached the 1970
population level of Camarines Sur only 20 years later.
Masbate and Sorsogon were in the same level every census
year from 1970 to 1980. It is noteworthy that distribution
and growth of the 1970 population were towards areas that
were sparsely populated but agriculturally rich and/or
endowed with fishery resources. The island province of
Catanduanes and its municipalities have exhibited very low
population growth from 1970 to 1980.
In 1980, the pattern was towards urbanization. This was due
to the pull of newly-installed infrastructures, particularly
roads, and the sporadic growth of trade in strategically
situated municipalities that have better economic
opportunities. The 1990 growth originated from the strong
attraction of employment opportunities in established urban
centers, which have become a source of growth of adjacent
municipalities. This situation was highly evident in Naga
and Legazpi areas, whose surrounding municipalities
exhibited high growth rates. Unmistakably, the spill-over
effects of development permeated those initial high growth
areas.
Looking at the growth rates, all of the five provinces
registered positive increases except for the province of
Camarines Norte. Most evident were those for the provinces
of Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon, all of whom registered
more than 50% increments in the 1980-1990 and 1990-2000
periods. The positive increase in the growth rate of
Catanduanes was attributed to the improved sea transport
facilities for ferrying people and cargo to and from the
port of Tabaco. The opening of the port of San Andres and
the rehabilitation of Virac Port likewise provided better
access to goods and services in the province.
Population Density
With the countrys total land area of 300,000
square kilometers and total population of 76 million in
2000, the crude density index of the Philippines was
estimated at 255 persons per square kilometers, more than
twice that of the 1970 level of 122 persons per square
kilometer.
During the year 2000, the population density of the region
reached 265 persons per square kilometer. This was 10
points more than the national figure of 255. In terms of
its share to the total population, the regions 4,674,855
accounted for 6.11 percent. The region had an increasing
growth rate as seen from the 1970, 1980, 1990 & 2000
data.
Population density levels in all
the provinces grew as all the provinces became increasingly
populated over time (Table 3.42 and Figures 3.22A
3.22B). The most densely settled province was Albay, whose
427 persons per square kilometer was way above the regions
density of 265 persons per square kilometer. Sorsogon
followed with a density level of 304 persons per square
kilometer and Camarines Sur, with a density level of 295
persons per square kilometer. On the other hand, the
provinces of Camarines Norte, Masbate, and Catanduanes had
density levels lower than the regions level at 203, 175 and
142 persons per square kilometer, respectively.
In 1970, about half of the 114
municipalities/cities of the region had densities ranging
from 100 to 199 persons per square kilometer (Annex
3.17). The other half fell under the 300-699
classification. No municipality was classified under the
700-999 density class while only one city reached the
1000-above density level. In 1980, the municipality of
Camaligan showed a very rapid growth by attaining a density
level of 845, second to Naga City. Its growth was
attributed to the spillover effect of the development in
Naga City, being so proximate to the area. Other
municipalities whose growths were also traced to the
development in Naga City were Canaman and Milaor.
Conversely, Iriga City decelerated from its second most
populous ranking in 1970 down to the 10th rank in 1980.
This was due to the high out-migration behavior of its
population and/or the rapid increases in the population of
the other municipalities owing to the developments taking
place in their localities. Another municipality that
decelerated during the decade was Presentacion, also in
Camarines Sur, from rank 18 in 1970 to rank 78 in 1980.
In 1990, the municipality of
Camaligan attained a density level of 1,476 persons per
square kilometer. After several census periods, it was the
only municipality that reached the 1000-above density level,
excluding Naga City. Legazpi also grew substantially during
this period as more people relocated to the city following
its proclamation as the administrative seat of the region.
The municipality of Canaman and
the city of Legazpi reached the 1000-above density level in
the 2000 census with 1,122 and 1022 persons per sq.
kilometer, respectively. This brought 4
municipalities/cities into the 1000-above density position.
Seven municipalities/cities joined the 700-999 density level
while only nine municipalities remained below the 100
density class. The municipality of Gigmoto in Catanduanes
consistently ranked last among the 107 municipalities with a
density range of only between 25-38 persons per square
kilometers during the four-censal periods.
