Occidental Mindoro: Reefs, Mountains and the Tamaraw
The western side of Mindoro holds a distinctive natural heritage, from offshore reefs to protected uplands.
Occidental Mindoro brings together a long coastline and a mountainous interior. Its natural heritage includes Apo Reef, offshore from Sablayan, and the upland landscape associated with Mounts Iglit-Baco.
Apo Reef Natural Park protects a marine environment of corals, clear shallows and deeper water. It is a different kind of island attraction from a resort beach: the reef itself, and the life it supports, are central to its significance.
On land, the tamaraw is one of Mindoro’s most important native animals. This endemic wild buffalo is closely associated with conservation efforts in the island’s protected uplands. Together, reef and mountain offer a useful way to understand Occidental Mindoro—as a province whose appeal depends on the continued care of its ecosystems.
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