PSA: Cebu is seventh most populated province

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu is the country’s seventh most populated province, according to the latest Census of Population (POPCEN 2015).

Among the country’s 81 provinces, Rizal was the most densely populated with 2,439 residents per square kilometer of land. It was followed by Cavite with 2,410 persons per square kilometer, Laguna with 1,574 persons per square kilometer, Bulacan with 1,183 persons per square kilometer, and Pampanga (excluding Angeles City) with 1,098 persons per square kilometer based on PSA data.

In Central Visayas, Cebu is also the most densely populated province with 594 residents per square kilometer of land. The region is composed of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

The figures were presented yesterday by PSA in a dissemination forum in Cebu City.

Of the 17 highly urbanized cities outside of the National Capital Region, Mandaue City is also the most densely populated with 14,402 persons per square kilometer of land.  It was followed by Lapu-Lapu City with 7,024 persons per square kilometer and Angeles City with 6,496 persons per square kilometer.

Cordova town in Cebu, on the other hand, is the most densely populated municipality in Central Visayas with 3,482 residents per square kilometer of land.

PSA said the population of the Philippines grew to over 100 million in 2015.

As of August 2015, the number of Filipinos hit 100,981,437. The latest figure is 8.64 million or 9.36 percent higher than in 2010 when the population of 92,337,852 was recorded.

Central Visayas, with a total land area of approximately 15,872.58 square kilometers, has a population of 7,396,898, an increase of 596,718 people since 2010.

The region’s current population density is 466 people per square kilometer. This represents an increase of 29 persons per square kilometer from the population density of 428 persons per square kilometer in 2010.

In 2000, there were 360 persons residing in every square kilometer of land.

Noel Rafols, PSA-7 information officer, said the next census will be in 2020. It is conducted every five years. (FREEMAN)