Why this Philippine region is defined by its constant administrative reshuffling and shifting borders

Countries & Cities · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Central Visayas is a region in constant flux. While it serves as a vital economic and cultural hub for the Philippines, its internal map has been repeatedly redrawn by presidential decrees. From its origins in 1972 to the recent 2024 separation of two provinces, the region remains a moving target.

Established on September 24, 1972, through President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s Integrated Reorganization Plan, the Central Visayas region was initially composed of Cebu, Bohol, and Negros Oriental, which included the subprovince of Siquijor. The name itself was largely a product of American colonial influence, intended to highlight the central position of these islands within the broader Visayas archipelago. Today, there are ongoing discussions about renaming the region to Sugbu, a nod to the pre-colonial Rajahnate of Cebu that existed before 16th-century Spanish arrival.

The region’s administrative boundaries have been anything but static. In 2015, President Benigno Aquino III issued Executive Order No. 183, which transferred Negros Oriental into a newly created Negros Island Region. This change was short-lived; in 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte dissolved that entity via Executive Order No. 38, returning Negros Oriental to the Central Visayas fold. This stability lasted until 2024, when Republic Act No. 12000, signed by President Bongbong Marcos, moved both Negros Oriental and Siquijor out of the region once again.

Despite these frequent territorial adjustments, Central Visayas remains a powerhouse. It currently encompasses the provinces of Cebu and Bohol, along with the highly urbanized cities of Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue. Cebu City functions as the regional capital, economic center, and primary media hub. The region is home to over 6.6 million people and maintains the fourth-largest economy in the country. Its connectivity is anchored by the Mactan–Cebu International Airport, the second-busiest in the Philippines, and a robust network of seaports that facilitate inter-island trade and travel.

Culturally, the region is unified by the Cebuano language, which serves as the lingua franca, though it also hosts native speakers of Bantayanon, Boholano, and Porohanon. The region’s geography is equally diverse, spanning over 10,000 square kilometers of land and encompassing critical maritime passages like the Tañon Strait. Whether through its complex political history or its role as a gateway to the central Philippines, Central Visayas remains a vital, evolving administrative entity.

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