Puerto Galera Town, Palawan
Province, Mimaropa Region (4), Luzon Islands, Philippines
Puerto Galera is
the oldest settlement in Mindoro. It was founded by Juan de
Salcedo in 1570. Even before Spaniards set foot of the Philippine
soil, there was already a thriving settlement in Minolo, which is
now barangay of the town. The earliest cabizera of Mindoro during
Spanish times was Minolo. It was founded by Augustinians friars in
1574. It was transferred to Lagundian (now barangay San Isidro) at
the mouth of the Muelle Bay, but was later moved to the present
site, inside the cove because of constant Moro raids.
The name of
Puerto Galera was taken after the galleons, which used the bay as
refilling station and repair area. It means, “port of
galleons” or in Spaniards “Puerto Galera”.
trade between Manila and Acapulco lasted for more than century,
and Puerto Galera became an important stop-over of these vessels
during the 18th century.
the vicissitudes of time, an epitaph in Spanish, engraved on March
18, 1897 on a wooden cross in Muelle beach, is inscribed “Ultima
Tierra Que Pesaron Los Tripulantes del Canoneros Mariveles El 18
de Noviembre de 1879”. This cross, a relic of the past century,
was renovated in 1938, by a Spaniard named Luis Gomez.
In 1672 , the
capital of Mindoro was later transferred in Baco.
The municipalty of Puerto Galera
now has thirteen barangays. The municipality is rich in mineral
deposits of marble, gold, lime, and silica granules. Its major
economic activities are tourism, mining, and fishing. It numerous
coves, sandy beaches and colorful undersea coral gardens are the
prime interest of many tourists who flock all year round. It has
white sugary sand on many of its beaches. There is a museum in the
old convent where unearthed artifacts of precious Chinese jars are
displayed. Further inland is the famous Tamaraw falls.
with its zigzag roads and steep ravines is considered as the
little Baguio of Mindoro. Its combined panoramic landscape and
exotic scenery are also navigators haven where they seek refuge
during inclement weather in its excellent harbor, which is
effectively protected by an island at the mouth of the bay. The
bay is also renowned to botanist and biologist for its bountiful
specimens of marine flora and fauna.
At present, Puerto Galera leads
all localities in tourism. It has become an international tourist
destination, but it seems that the influx of tourist has affected
the ecological balance of this once nature’s heaven.
Puerto Galera has a very rugged topography. The
land is generally mountainous and is crisscrossed by numerous streams and
rivers. Back by the Cabarian Ridge and the 680-meter high pyramidical Mt.
Malasimbo, its 35.25 km.-long hilly landmass extends towards the sea and spreads
out to a maximum of 13.4 across.
Three mountain ranges covering a total of 11.755
sqm. rise above Puerto Galera's coastal barangays: Mt. Alinbayan in Barangay
Balatero, Mt. Talipanan in Barangays Aninuan and San Isidro, and Mt. Malasimbo
in Barangay Aninuan. These mountains reach peak elevations of 1,400 meters above
sea level and are home to rare animals such as deers, wild boars, monkeys and
even the endangered tamaraw (a local buffalo endemic to Mindoro; bubalus
Likewise, its numerous mountain springs provide
natural habitats to orchid varities such as the tawa-tawa, tiger orchid, and
Popularly known as the tourist haven by the sea,
Puerto Galera's coast is 42 km. long, consisting of irregular shorelines rimmed
with dazzling white beaches, coconut plantations, and delightful scenery. At the
eastern side of the coast, crescents of white beaches are interspersed with
limestone cliffs and escarpments that are penetrated by inland bays and coves.
These numerous coves and water channels support a rich marine life, forming
"non-reef coral communities". Whereas, its tube-like harbor with two
natural entrances provide home to dozens of ships seeking safe anchorage.
The Bay of Puerto Galera has a total area of 4.2
sqm. It is framed by the short projections and numerous points of Mindoro Island
on the east west, and by the two small islands of Medio and Paniquian on the
north and nortwest. The two latter islands project Puerto Galera's famous Muelle
Bay from the open sea, thus making it one of the world's safest harbors.
About 23.45% of the entire town is used for
agriculture, 0.04% are agro-industrial lands, and the rest are wet alnds and
built up areas.
Puerto Galera has a tropical climate with the
relatively high humidity (the average annual humidity is 84.6%). There's no
definite dry season and rainfall is pronounced the whole year round.