History :

The Split 

Southern Tagalog comprises the provinces of Aurora (which is now part of Central Luzon), Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Quezon, Rizal, Romblon, and Palawan. Quezon City was the designated regional center of Southern Tagalog. Southern Tagalog covers the area where many Tagalog native speakers reside. The new capital region also known as NCR of Metro Manilaand Central Luzon are the other regions of native Tagalog speakers.

By virtue Executive Order No. 103, dated May 17, 2002, Region IV was divided into Region IV-A (CALABARZON) and Region IV-B (MIMAROPA).

Transfer of Palawan

Palawan was transferred to Region VI (Western Visayas) on May 23, 2005 by virtue of Executive Order 429. However, Palaweños criticized the move, citing a lack of consultation, with most residents in Puerto Princesa City and all municipalities but one, preferring to stay with Region IV-B.^[1]

Consequently, Administrative Order No. 129 was issued on August 19, 2005 to address this backlash directing the abeyance of Executive Order 429, pending the approval of an implementation plan for the orderly transfer of Palawan from MIMAROPA to Region VI. Presently, Palawan is still considered part of MIMAROPA.^[2]