In this guide, you will learn about the Greater Manila Area, its meaning and function.

WHAT IS GREATER MANILA AREA?

The Greater Manila Area is the contiguous urbanization region surrounding the Metropolitan Manila area. This built-up zone includes Metro Manila and the neighboring provinces of Bulacan to the north, Cavite and Laguna to the south, and Rizal to the east.

Location of Greater Manila Area within the Philippines

Though sprawl continues to absorb new zones, some urban zones are independent clusters of settlements surrounded by non-urban areas.

GMA During COVID-19 Pandemic

In early 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the area was also referred to as the "NCR Plus" or "NCR+" (National Capital Region Plus) by authorities, with regard to the designation of community quarantines.

Provinces and Regions under Greater Manila Area

Here are the 5 major regions / provinces that form the Greater Manila Area:

1. Metro Manila

Metropolitan Manila, officially the National Capital Region, is the seat of government and one of three defined metropolitan areas in the Philippines. The region is composed of 16 highly urbanized cities and a municipality (Pateros).

Metro Manila skyline

The region is the center of culture, economy, education and government of the Philippines. Designated as a global power city, the region exerts a significant impact on commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and entertainment, both locally and internationally.

Metro Manila is the home to all embassies in the Philippines, thereby making it an important center for international diplomacy in the country. Its economic power makes the region the country's premier center for finance and commerce. The region accounts for 36% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the Philippines.

Top Places to Visit in Metro Manila:

Stroll and Tour Around Intramuros
Spend a day at Manila Ocean Park
Shop and dine in BGC
Ride a gondola at Venice Grand Canal Mall in Taguig
Go on a food crawl in Binondo
Find the best Samgyupsal in the Metro
Find the best coffee shop in Manila
Party till you can in Poblacion, Makati
Treat yourself at Ace Water Spa in Pasig
Find the best rooftop restaurant around the Metro

2. Bulacan

To the north of Metro Manila is Bulacan which is administratively located in the Central Luzon region. Bulacan was established on August 15, 1578, and part of the Metro Luzon Urban Beltway Super Region.

Me at Casa Lina, a riverside resort in San Rafael, Bulacan

The province has 569 barangays in 21 municipalities and three-component cities (Malolos the provincial capital, Meycauayan, and San Jose del Monte).

Top Places to Visit and Things to do in Bulacan:

Go on an outing with friends and family at these Bulacan private resorts
Here are the 10 waterparks to visit in Bulacan

Cheapest Flights and Airline Tickets Online Booking

3. Cavite

To the southwest is Cavite, a province in the Philippines administratively part of the Calabarzon region in Luzon. It is located on the southern shores of Manila Bay and southwest of Manila, it is one of the most industrialized and fastest-growing provinces in the county.

The de facto capital and seat of the government of the province is Trece Martires, although Imus is the official (de jure) capital while the City of Dasmariñas is the largest city in the province. The province is known for historical places (Aguinaldo Shrine, Corregidor), beaches (Naic, Ternate) and upland areas (Tagaytay, Silang).

READ MORE: 10+ Things to do in Cavite (Tourist Spots and Activities)

4. Laguna

Located in the southeast of Metro Manila is Laguna, a province that is also part of the Calabarzon region in Luzon. Its capital is Santa Cruz while its largest city is the City of Calamba. Most of the province's shore is part of Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the country.

A hot spring resort in Pansol, Calamba City

Laguna is notable as the birthplace of José Rizal, the country's national hero. It has numerous natural and cultural attractions such as Pagsanjan Falls, the University of the Philippines Los Baños and the University of the Philippines Open University in Los Baños, the hot spring resorts of Calamba on the slopes of Mount Makiling, Pila historic town plaza, Taytay Falls in Majayjay, the wood carvings and papier-mâché created by the people of Paete, the annual Sampaguita Festival in San Pedro, the turumba of Pakil, the tsinelas footwear from Liliw, the Pandan Festival of Luisiana, the Seven Lakes of San Pablo, and the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery in Nagcarlan.

ATTRACTIONS TO SEE IN MANILA

5. Rizal

The Province of Rizal is another province that is part of the Calabarzon region in Luzon with its capital is the city of Antipolo. It is about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) east of Manila. The province is named after José Rizal, one of the main national heroes of the Philippines.

Hinulugang Taktak, a famous tourist spot in Antipolo City

Rizal is a mountainous province perched on the western slopes of the southern portion of the Sierra Madre mountain range. The province also lies on the northern shores of Laguna de Bay.

Pasig served as its capital until 2008, even it became a part of the newly created National Capital Region since November 7, 1975. A provincial capitol has been in Antipolo since 2009, making it the administrative center. On June 19, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11475, which designated Antipolo as the capital of Rizal. The change took place on July 7, 2020.

ACTIVITIES AND TOURS IN MANILA

What is GMA: The Greater Manila Area (EXPLAINED)