The Land of the Uragons….
One of the richest coastlines of the country, Camarines Norte situated at the tip of Quezon Province and an approximately six hour drive from Metro Manila, is faced on the east by the Pacific Ocean. Camarines Norte is also blessed with a dense rainforest with habitats of natural wildlife and one of the nesting grounds of the Philippine Eagle. The province also have an illustrious quantity of mineral deposits such as gold, silver, iron, lead, limestones, zinc and white clay with its fertile volcanic soil suitable for farming that produces large variety of agricultural products such as rice, coconut, vegetables, pineapple, abaca and an unlimited supply of other root crops. Its coastline produces top quantity of seafood and marine products marketed throughout the province and Metro Manila and the town of Mercedes is the top grosser in production. Daet, its capital and the seat of the provincial government is also the most busiest municipality of Camarines Norte as trade and economy is mostly concentrated in this area.

Camarines Norte Provincial Capitol

Photo Courtesy By  Dhon Jason de Belen

Business, trade and economy had spurred in recent years, thanks to the establishment of LIND Growth Corridor, an acronym for Legaspi, Iriga, Naga and Daet that facilitates economic growth to adjacent areas. While the province’s economy is focused strongly on agriculture and fishing, gold deposits and jewelry crafting are being mined and handcrafted in Paracale. The “golden pond” town have a vast amount of gold deposits that it even exists in the Paracale River. Handcraft jewelries is still a major source of living in this municipality and a source of antique styles with the most popular regarded as “agrimon or alakdan” flat necklace. An industrial center also was established in the town of Jose Panganiban, PHIVIDEC, that encourages small and medium industries to support the local economy through manufacturing and processing mineral products with construction materials and handicrafts.

Historical sites are also a favorite hang around of local residents as well as foreign travelers. Shrines are all over the province such as The First Rizal Monument, The Jose Ma. Panganiban Shrine, The Martyr Shrine, The Rufino Pabico Ancestral Shrine, The Wenceslao Q. Vinzons Shrine, Laniton Shrine and Capalonga Shrine. While the locals also are proud with education institutions like La Consolacion College, Lourdes College, Mabini College, Heroes Memorial College and.

Camarines Norte is also fast becoming a travelers destination with the promotion and help by the local government. Surfing sites, restaurants and resorts accommodations are being introduced and built in its coastline towns. Apart from surfing, the province also have a a vast kilometer of unspoilt beaches with isolated offshore islands and national parks. The most popular beach is the Bagasbas Beach in Daet with big waves from the Pacific Ocean suitable for surfing and the Mangcamagong Beach which has a peaceful ambience suitable for relaxation or family outings. The Calaguas Group of Islands boasts of boasts of white sandy beaches with its beautiful Coral Reefs in Banocboc that is a fish sanctuary and marine reservation area. The Mampurog Resort, Pulang Daga Resort, Sinagtala Resort, Canimog Island Resort are not to be missed white sand coastlines and the Pineapple Island Resort situated in a eco-tourism lot serves as a manmade waterpark lagoon suitable for family activities. The Colasi, Mananap, Binauaang and Malatap Falls are mystical waterfalls with lush vegetations that surrounds this cascading panoramic views very suitable for outings and picnics. The Bantayog Festival is the biggest festivity of Camarines Norte celebrated from March 17 to April 16 with its extensive promotional campaign showcasing numerous activities all over the province turning this event celebration more likely as economic, tourism and cultural development not to forget the Pineapple Festival in honor of its abundant growth and harvest.