CENTRAL LUZON

Lying on the southwestern part of Central Luzon is historic Bataan. 

The peninsula is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north, and faces South China Sea to the west and encloses its arm, Manila Bay, to the east. 

Bataan is famous in history as one of the last stands of American and Filipino soldiers before they were overwhelmed by the Japanese forces in World War II. The Bataan Death March was named for this province, where the infamous march started. 

The Bataan Peninsula is a rocky extension of the Zambales Mountains, on Luzon in the Philippines. It separates the Manila Bay from the South China Sea. The peninsula features Mount Natib (1,253 m) in the north and the Mariveles Mountains in the south, which includes Mount Samat, the location of the historical marker for the Bataan Death March. 

Western Bataan forms part of the Tourism Belt of the W Growth Corridor. The province boasts of its pristine shoreline and forest reserves ideal for mountaineering and other outdoor activities. Bataan is just 3 to 4 hours by land or 45 minutes by ferry service from Manila. The Lamao Port in Limay and the Capinpin Port in Orion provide ferry services for passengers and vehicles wanting to reach the province via the Manila Bay. The town of Orani is also envisioned to be the future Fisherman's Wharf north of Manila. 

Ongoing resort developments and the short travel time to the province position Bataan as the new vacation capital of the country. 

Bataan also plays host to four major economic zones namely, Petrochem Industrial Estate (PIE), PEZA-Bataan Economic Zone, Bataan Technology Park and Hermosa Special Economic Zone. Skills-intensive and technologically advanced industries like petrochem, design and engineering, communication and software development, and agro-industrial projects are promoted in the area.