Camarines Sur Neighborhood Guide

Camarines Sur or CamSur is the largest among six provinces in the Bicol Region. It is home to Naga City, the region’s center of business, industry, commerce, finance, culture, and religion. Most of Bicol Region’s products are brought to this province for export and sales.

Camarines Sur is an ecotourism location where tourists and residents can enjoy the best of what nature offers in the province. From scenic mountain views to diverse marine life, the area is a must-visit for those looking for adventure. 

There is much to love, see, and experience in Camarines Sur that a day trip isn’t enough. CamSur is brimming with culture and history that you’ll want to dive into it as soon as you arrive.

MORE ABOUT CAMARINES SUR

Brief History

Camarines Sur’s earliest settlers were the Isarog Agta and the Iraya Agta people who lived within the areas of Mount Isarog and Mount Irya, respectively.

By 1571, Juan de Salcedo, a Spanish conquistador, arrived in the Bicol Region from the north. He led his troops in exploring and penetrating the peninsula for spices and gold in 1573. Later on, the region had two different groups: Partido de Ibalon and Partido de Camarines. The latter of the two comprised Camalig and all the Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte towns. 

Naga City was also founded in 1573 and was named Nueva Caceres. It was the province’s capital from March 1917 to June 1955 under the Philippine Legislative Act No. 2711. It was then replaced by Pili as Camarines Sur’s provincial capital in June 1955 under Republic Act 1336.

Geography and Topography

Camarines Sur occupies the central portion of the Bicol region and has a total land area of 5,497.03 square kilometers. Quezon Province and Camarines Norte border it to the northwest and Albay to the south. It also bordered the Maqueda Channel to the east. 

It is the Bicol Region’s largest province by land area and population. It is the home of Mount Isarog, an active composite volcano. It is also the location of the Caramoan Peninsula. The Bicol River also passes through Camarines Sur and San Miguel Bay. There are also three noteworthy lakes, namely Buhi, Baao, and Bato, surrounding Mount Asog. 

Camarines Sur is comprised of two cities and 35 municipalities. Naga and Pili are the province’s two main cities, while Iriga serves as a component city. 

Local Economy

The economic activities of Camarines Sur are widely agriculture-based. The entrepreneurs in the province engage in trading with neighboring areas. Some of the industries in the region bring in rural income, but the sectors with a significant impact on the province’s economy are agriculture, trade, tourism, and industry.

Some of the industries in Camarines Sur include:

• Forestry
• Papermaking
• Handicrafts
• Commerce
• Industry
• Agriculture
• Tourism
• Hospitality
• Trade
• Manufacturing 

All products from other Bicol provinces are brought to Naga City for trade purposes. The tourism industry generates income for the province as it teems with popular, beautiful destinations, including Mount Isarog, Caramoan, and Lake Buhi. 

There are also IT and BPO-centered industries within Naga City. These businesses dwell within three of the city’s IT parks, namely the Naga City Technology Center, Camarines Sur Industrial and Technological Park, and the Naga City IT Park. 

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN CAMARINES SUR

The Bicol province boasts modern developments that promote convenience for residents and tourists. Here are some of them: 

Road Networks

The Pan-Philippine Highway serves as the province’s main backbone network linking the province’s cities and municipalities. The highway interconnects the areas of Libmanan, Sipocot, San Fernando, Pamplona, Pili, Bula, Milaor, Baao, Naga City, Nabua, and Bato.

Two other expressways have been proposed to make travel easier within Camarines Sur and prompt development in the province. These expressways are:

• Toll Road 5 – A 420-kilometer, four-lane extension of the South Luzon Expressway. It starts from the terminal point of Toll Road 4 (Lucena, Quezon Province) and stretches to Matnog in Sorsogon.
• Quezon-Bicol Expressway – An expressway that will serve as a link between Lucena, Quezon Province, and San Fernando, Camarines Sur. 

As of February 2022, Toll Road 5 and the Quezon-Bicol Expressway have yet to open.

Media and Communication

Camarines Sur has access to the country’s major cable and telecommunication networks. These help to keep the residents of the province well-informed and connected.

Major telecommunication entities in the area include Globe, Smart, PLDT, and DITO. On the other hand, cable providers such as Cignal and Sky Cable are also prominent in Camarines Sur. Internet providers from major telecoms, like PLDT and Globe, provide internet services in Camarines Sur.

PIT STOPS IN CAMARINES SUR

Medical Facilities

Camarines Sur is home to top-quality healthcare facilities that allow its residents to live in comfort and safety. These facilities are scattered throughout the province, so residents can easily access them should they need medical attention. The following healthcare and medical facilities can be found in Camarines Sur:

• USI Mother Seton Hospital
• Bicol Medical Center
• Siruma Municipal Hospital
• New Bicol Medical Hospital
• Caramoan Municipal Hospital
• Ragay District Hospital
• Bicol AccessHealth Centrum
• Bicol Region General Hospital and Geriatric Medical Center
• St. John Hospital
• Our Lady of Lourdes Infirmary
• Libmanan District Hospital
• Medical Mission Group Hospital and Health Services Cooperative of Camarines Sur
• Camarines Sur Provincial Medical Center

Educational Institutions

As the largest province in Bicol, Camarines Sur houses some of the region’s best educational institutions. It offers top-quality education from secondary schools up to universities. Some of the educational institutions that you can find in the province are the following: 

• Computer Science High School of Bicolandia
• Philippine Science High School Bicol Region Campus
• Dalupaon National High School
• Caramoan Community College
• San Rafael National High School
• University of Saint Anthony
• Partido State University
• Camarines Sur National High School
• Polytechnic State University of Bicol
• Naga City Science High School
• Polytechnic University of the Philippines Ragay
• San Ramon National High School
• University of Northeastern Philippines
• University of Nueva Caceres
• Camaligan National High School
• Tinago National High School
• USI Night High School

Real Estate Developments

Most of the real estate properties in Camarines Sur range from houses and lots to apartments. However, houses and lots are more prominent in the province. Homebuyers and investors looking for properties with houses or empty lots won’t have difficulty finding a property within Naga or Pili because these are the two areas where subdivisions and villages are prominent.

Some of the villages and subdivisions in Camarines Sur include:

• Parkview Executive Townhomes
• Monte Cielo de Naga
• Camella Pili
• Mac Mariano Village
• BellaVita Naga
• St. Jude Orchard
• Caceres Heights Resort Subdivision
• Imperial Ridgeview
• Jardin Real Subdivision
• Elizabeth Heights
• Bria Homes Pili
• Victoria Highlands
• Camella Naga

There are also a couple of commercial and beach lots for sale throughout the province of Camarines Sur. 

HOW TO MOVE AROUND CAMARINES SUR

Land Transportation

The main modes of transportation in Camarines Sur include buses, vans, jeepneys, and taxis. 

If you’re in Naga City, the best way to travel around it is foot. But you can also opt to hail tricycles and jeepneys. Taxis are available within the city to help you get to your destination within Naga. There are also trisikads or padyaks available in areas that are harder to reach with taxis or jeepneys. 

If you’re planning to travel beyond Naga, it’s advised that you travel through buses, vans, and jeepneys if you don’t have a private vehicle. Should you decide take taxis to reach other Camarines Sur towns, the rate can get a bit pricey. 

For the other towns, cities, and municipalities in Camarines Sur, the main modes of transportation are primarily jeepneys, tricycles, and trisikads. 

Air Transportation

The Naga Airport in Pili is the major domestic airport in Camarines Sur. The airport mainly serves Naga and its metropolitan area. It is located in the provincial capital of Pili, accommodating local flights under Cebgo Airlines, the only available airline operating in Naga Airport. 

The airport is a 15-minute drive from Naga City. It’s located near the CamSur Watersports Complex, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the province.

There is also a planned Libmanan Airport located in the municipality of Libmanan. However, the airport’s construction has yet to take place as of February 2022.

WHAT TO DO IN CAMARINES SUR

Camarines Sur is home to many exciting tourist destinations. Hiking, island hopping, and watersports are some of the major tourist activities you can experience in the province. The province is also known as an ecotourism area with nature-based attractions for adventure, thrill, and fun. 

Whether you’re up for a trail hike or a beach trip, the possibilities are endless in Camarines Sur. That said, here are some things you can do when you’re in the province:

Try Water Adventure Activities

If you’re up for a day of waterskiing, wakeboarding, and wakeskating, a trip to CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) is one worth making. The complex boasts world-class facilities, including a six-point cable ski system. CWC has also been a venue for international watersports activities. Apart from their extensive watersports activities, CWC has accommodations, a restaurant, and a skate park.

Feed the Deers

Animal lovers will enjoy a trip to the Ocampo Deer Farm. Located just below Mt. Isarog, the farm is a five-hectare sanctuary where tourists can interact and watch hundreds of free-roaming deers. Tourists can take photos and feed these friendly creatures while at the farm.

Relax by the Beach

If you’re more of a beach person, a visit to the Caramoan Islands is one that you wouldn’t want to miss. It is the province’s leading destination for island hopping and beach trips. Aside from fun activities by the shore, snorkeling and exploring through the caves and lagoons are a must-try. 

Have a Scenic View of the Region

When you’re in Camarines Sur, odds are, you’ll hear of the famous Mt. Isarog, one of the most known tourist spots in the province. A hike up the mountain offers scenic and breathtaking views of the Bicol Peninsula, including Mt. Mayon. It’s recommended that you allow two days if you plan to hike up the mountain. 

Buy Fresh Fish

Lake Buhi is a 1,600-hectare freshwater lake between Mt. Asog and Mt. Malinao. It’s a breeding ground of sinarapan, the world’s smallest commercially harvested fish. Buy fresh fish from the market stalls around the lake and treat yourself to a sumptuous fish dish.

REAL ESTATE PRICE TRENDS IN CAMARINES SUR

As Camarines Sur rapidly grows and develops, it would be good for real estate investors to keep track of the property prices within it.

Naga City, most significantly, is a city to look out for, as it is the center of Camarines Sur’s commerce, finance, trade, industry, and business. By keeping track of the price trends in Camarines Sur, buyers and investors can take advantage of the changes in the prices through the months.

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