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Geographic Information Infrastructure
The Region 8 GIS Network in the Philippines -
A smart concept to reconcile data, government, and academic institutions
The Network members are spread all over the provinces of Region VIII. Ten of them are located in the regional (and provincial) capital, Tacloban City. Another eight members are mainly located in the provincial capitals. 
Objectives of the Region 8 GIS Network are
Region VIII, also named the Eastern Visayas (21,430 km2) covers in particular the main islands Samar, Leyte, and Biliran, and innumerable small islands. Samar (13,430 km2) and Leyte (7,450 km2) rank among the 11 largest islands of the Philippines (300,000 km2). Geographically the area stretches from 10° to 12° 45’ northern latitude and from 124° 15' to 126° eastern longitude. An extensive mountain massif shapes the landscape in the north of Samar. A mountain range stretches from the north to the south, just like on Leyte Island. The highest mountains reach elevations of 870m and 1450m on Samar and Leyte, respectively. Volcanic mountains up to 1280m characterize Biliran’s appearance. The administrative unit Region VIII consists of 6 provinces, 4 cities, 144 municipalities and almost 4,000 barangays. The 4 cities and 123 municipalities are situated along the coast, only 21 municipalities are 'inland municipalities'. According to the Census 2000 the population in the Eastern Visayas amounts to 3.6 million and grows at an average of 1.62% (Philippines: 75.33 million, growth rate 2.35%). On Leyte the population amounts to 1.93million, on Samar to 1.52 million, and on Biliran to 140.000. The most important land traffic route through Region VIII, the Maharlika Highway, connects Luzon and Mindanao (two short ferryboat trips) and extends from the north of Samar to the south of Leyte. Part of the highway is the longest bridge of Asia (2.16 km), the San Juanico Bridge, which spans the strait between Samar and Leyte in proximity of Tacloban, the provincial capital (179.000 inhabitants). Other main traffic routes, which run along the coasts, are concreted and to a large extent well passable. Additionally the east and west coasts of Samar, Leyte and Biliran, respectively, are connected by mountain roads. Persisting volcanic activity on the west coast of Leyte is utilized by a geothermal power station in the proximity of Ormoc City. Ormoc City, the fastest developing city in the region, enjoys a favorable land and sea traffic position and faces Cebu Island, with Cebu City as the second largest city of the Philippines. . Isabel, in the northwest of Leyte, is the industrial center of the province (copper). Tacloban City’s small and aging seaport is enclosed by the downtown area and only suitable for national sea traffic. But the city has the only airport in Region VIII with daily flights to Manila. The Region depends mainly on agricultural production. The entire agricultural area stretches over 975,000 hectares, of which approximately 680,000 hectares are covered with coconuts and 185.000 hectares with rice. Region VIII produces the majority of the Philippine abaca export. Vegetables and fruits are produced in minor quantities, and the Region depends on imports from other islands. More than 70% of the population live in rural areas. 40% of the families live under the poverty line. The average household size amounts to 5 persons. 40 % of the population are younger than 15 years. The unemployment rate, according to the Census 2000, is 18%. 30% of the employees are ‘underemployed’. |