View source for Greater Manila Area

{{Short description|Contiguous urbanized region surrounding Metro Manila}}
{{About|an area in Mega Manila|the historical World War II–era city|City of Greater Manila}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Greater Manila Area<br/>{{nobold|Malawakang Maynila}}
| image_skyline            = Edsa Manila (Patrick Poculan) - Flickr.jpg
| image_alt                = 
| image_caption            = The Metro Manila skyline seen from [[Ortigas Center]]
| image_map                = Greater Manila Area Map (including provinces, cities, and municipalities).png
| map_caption              = Location of the Greater Manila Area within Luzon {{unbulleted list
| {{Color box|#3F48CC|border=darkgray}} {{font|[[Metro Manila]]|size=90%}}
| {{Color box|#22B14C|border=darkgray}} {{font|[[Manila]] |size=90%}}
| {{Color box|#FFC90E|border=darkgray}} {{font|Central Luzon ([[Bulacan]])|size=90%}}
| {{Color box|#FF7F27|border=darkgray}} {{font|Calabarzon ([[Cavite]], [[Laguna (province)|Laguna]], [[Rizal (province)|Rizal]])|size=90%}}
| {{Color box|#ED1C24|border=darkgray}} {{font|Provincial capitals ([[Antipolo]], [[Imus]], [[Malolos]], [[Santa Cruz, Laguna|Santa Cruz]])|size=90%}}
}}
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{flagcountry|Philippines}}
| parts_type               = [[Provinces of the Philippines|Provinces]]
| parts                    = [[Metro Manila]]<br />[[Bulacan]]<br />[[Cavite]] <br />[[Laguna (province)|Laguna]]<br />[[Rizal (province)|Rizal]]
| population_metro         = 28,250,517
| population_density_metro_km2 = auto
| area_metro_km2           = 7,967.95
| timezone                 = 
| utc_offset               = 
}}
The '''Greater Manila Area''' ({{langx|fil|Malawakang Maynila}}) is the contiguous [[urbanization|urbanized]] region surrounding the [[Metro Manila|Manila metropolitan area]] in the Philippines. This built-up zone includes Metro Manila and the neighboring provinces of [[Bulacan]] to the north, [[Cavite]] and [[Laguna (province)|Laguna]] to the south, and [[Rizal (province)|Rizal]] to the east.<ref name="HamnettForbes-2012">{{cite book |last1=Hamnett |first1=Stephen |last2=Forbes |first2=Dean |title=Planning Asian Cities: Risks and Resilience |date=2012 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-63927-2 |page=287 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8GSpAgAAQBAJ |access-date=March 23, 2020 |language=en |chapter=12}}</ref><ref name="SenateGovPH">{{cite web |title=Legarda Urges LGUs in Greater Metro Manila Area to Boost Defense against Disasters |url=https://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2012/0316_legarda1.asp |website=Senate of the Philippines |access-date=March 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006092302/https://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2012/0316_legarda1.asp |archive-date=October 6, 2012 |date=March 16, 2012}}</ref> While urban sprawl continues to absorb new zones, some areas remain as independent settlement clusters separated by non-urban land.

In early 2021, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines|COVID-19 pandemic]], the area was also referred to as "NCR Plus" or "NCR+" ([[Metro Manila|National Capital Region]] Plus) by authorities, in connection with the designation of [[COVID-19 community quarantines in the Philippines|community quarantines]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Malasig |first1=Jeline |title=Greater Manila vs 'NCR Plus': Questions as gov't labels areas under GCQ 'bubble' |url=https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2021/03/22/188079/greater-manila-vs-ncr-plus-questions-as-govt-labels-areas-under-gcq-bubble/ |access-date=March 23, 2021 |work=Interaksyon |date=March 22, 2021}}</ref>

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== Definition and scope ==
The Greater Manila Area refers to the continuous urbanized region extending beyond the official boundaries of [[Metro Manila]], encompassing adjacent portions of [[Bulacan]] to the north, [[Cavite]] and [[Laguna (province)|Laguna]] to the south, and [[Rizal (province)|Rizal]] to the east.<ref name="HamnettForbes-2012"/><ref name="SenateGovPH"/>

The broader term "[[Mega Manila]]" is often used by agencies such as the [[Department of Economy, Planning, and Development]] (DEPDev) to include Central Luzon and Calabarzon, but "Greater Manila Area" specifically refers to the contiguous built-up zone around Metro Manila.<ref>{{cite report |title=Philippine Development Plan 2017–2022 |publisher=National Economic and Development Authority |year=2017 |url=https://pdp.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/PDP-2017-2022-Prepublication.pdf |access-date=2025-09-07 |pages=37–39}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
As of the 2020 Census, the combined population of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal was approximately 26.7 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=Highlights of the Philippine Population 2020 Census of Population and Housing (2020 CPH) |url=https://psa.gov.ph/population-and-housing/statistical-tables |publisher=Philippine Statistics Authority |date=July 2021 |access-date=2025-09-07}}</ref>  
By mid-2025, the urban population of the Philippines reached 57.6 million, representing about 49.3% of the total population of 116.8 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=Philippines Population (2025) |url=https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/philippines-population/ |access-date=2025-09-07}}</ref>

The Manila urban agglomeration alone is projected to reach 14.8 million in 2025.<ref>{{cite report |title=World Urbanization Prospects: The 2024 Revision |publisher=United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs |year=2024 |url=https://population.un.org/wup/ |access-date=2025-09-07}}</ref>

=== Statistics ===
{{mw-datatable}}
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-datatable plainrowheaders" style="width:70%; text-align:right;"
|-
! scope="col" | [[Provinces of the Philippines|Province]] or [[Regions of the Philippines|region]]
! scope="col" | Population (2015){{PH census|2015}}
! scope="col" | Population (2020){{PH census|2020}}
! scope="col" | Area<ref>{{cite web |title=List of Provinces |url=http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/listprov.asp |work=PSGC Interactive |publisher=National Statistical Coordination Board |access-date=May 14, 2014 |location=Makati, Philippines |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419000512/http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/listprov.asp |archive-date=April 19, 2016}}</ref>
! scope="col" | Density (2020)
! scope="col" | Region
! scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|Mun|Municipalities}}
! scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | Cities
! scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|Brgy|Barangays}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! scope="row" | [[Metro Manila]]
| 12,877,253
| 13,484,462
| {{convert|619.57|km2|abbr=on|sortable=on|disp=br()}}
| {{Pop density|13484462|619.57|km2|sqmi|prec=0}}
| {{abbr|NCR|National Capital Region}}
| 1
| 16
| 1,706
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! scope="row" | [[Bulacan]]
| 3,292,071
| 3,708,890
| {{convert|2,796.10|km2|abbr=on|sortable=on|disp=br()}}
| {{Pop density|3708890|2796.10|km2|sqmi|prec=0}}
| data-sort-value="03" | [[Central Luzon|III]]
| 20
| 4
| 572
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! scope="row" | [[Cavite]]
| 3,678,301
| 4,344,829
| {{convert|1,574.17|km2|abbr=on|sortable=on|disp=br()}}
| {{Pop density|4344829|1574.17|km2|sqmi|prec=0}}
| data-sort-value="04" | [[Calabarzon|IV-A]]
| 16
| 7
| 829
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! scope="row" | [[Laguna (province)|Laguna]]
| 3,035,081
| 3,382,193
| {{convert|1,917.85|km2|abbr=on|sortable=on|disp=br()}}
| {{Pop density|3382193|1917.85|km2|sqmi|prec=0}}
| data-sort-value="04" | [[Calabarzon|IV-A]]
| 24
| 6
| 681
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! scope="row" | [[Rizal (province)|Rizal]]
| 2,884,227
| 3,330,143
| {{convert|1,191.94|km2|abbr=on|sortable=on|disp=br()}}
| {{Pop density|3330143|1191.94|km2|sqmi|prec=0}}
| data-sort-value="04" | [[Calabarzon|IV-A]]
| 13
| 1
| 188
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! scope="col" | Total
! scope="col" | 25,766,933
! scope="col" | 28,250,517
! scope="col" | {{convert|8,099.63|km2|abbr=on|sortable=on|disp=br()}}
! scope="col" | {{Pop density|28250517|8099.63|km2|sqmi|prec=0}}
! scope="col" | ''GMA''
! scope="col" | 74
! scope="col" | 34
! scope="col" | 3,973
|}

The Greater Manila Area is composed of 34 cities (16 highly urbanized cities and 18 component cities) and 74 municipalities.

== Economy ==
Metro Manila contributes about 31% of the Philippines' GDP, while Calabarzon accounts for 14.1% and Central Luzon for 10.9%, underscoring the Greater Manila Area's central role in the national economy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Regional Accounts of the Philippines 2023 |url=https://psa.gov.ph/regional-accounts/grdp |publisher=Philippine Statistics Authority |date=December 2023 |access-date=2025-09-07}}</ref>

In 2024, NEDA (now DEPDev) estimated that the broader "Mega Manila" corridor, consisting of these three regions, generated over half (56%) of the country's GDP, amounting to approximately US$260 billion.<ref>{{cite news |title=12 key Luzon Corridor works expected to cost ₱2.13T – DEPDev |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2024/08/11/613399/12-key-luzon-corridor-works-expected-to-cost-p2-13t-neda/ |work=BusinessWorld |date=August 11, 2024 |access-date=2025-09-07}}</ref>

== Urbanization and land use ==
Urban sprawl from Metro Manila has accelerated since the late 20th century, driven by expressway construction and real estate development.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Porio |first=Emma |title=Urban transition, poverty, and development in the Philippines: A preliminary assessment |journal=Cities |volume=72 |pages=243–250 |year=2018 |doi=10.1016/j.cities.2017.09.006}}</ref> Built-up areas now extend across southern Bulacan, western Laguna, northern Cavite, and eastern Rizal, with large residential subdivisions, malls, and mixed-use complexes replacing agricultural land.<ref>{{cite report |title=Demographia World Urban Areas 2023 |publisher=Demographia |year=2023 |url=http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf |access-date=2025-09-07}}</ref>

== Transportation and infrastructure ==
The Greater Manila Area is linked by the [[North Luzon Expressway]], [[South Luzon Expressway]], [[Metro Manila Skyway|Skyway]], [[Manila–Cavite Expressway]] (CAVITEX), and [[Cavite–Laguna Expressway]] (CALAX).  
Key rail projects include:  
* The [[Metro Manila Subway]], under construction with Japanese ODA funding and tunnel boring ongoing as of mid-2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bajo |first1=Anna Felicia |title=Japan vows to aid PH in major railway projects |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/958078/japan-vows-to-aid-ph-in-major-railway-projects/story |work=GMA News Online |date=September 4, 2025 |access-date=2025-09-07}}</ref>  
* The [[North–South Commuter Railway]], with phased openings expected beginning in 2027.<ref>{{cite web |title=PNR Clark Phase 1, PNR Calamba Updates |url=https://dotr.gov.ph/railways-sector/item/1647-pnr-north-south-commuter-railway-project.html |publisher=Department of Transportation |access-date=2025-09-07}}</ref>  
* The [[MRT Line 7 (Metro Manila)|MRT Line 7]], which was reported 83% complete in June 2025 and is scheduled for partial operations in 2027.<ref>{{cite news |title=MRT-7 project now 83% complete |url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/06/15/mrt-7-project-now-83-complete/ |work=BusinessMirror |date=June 15, 2025 |access-date=2025-09-07}}</ref>

[[New Manila International Airport]] in Bulacan, developed by San Miguel Corporation, is expected to open its first phase in 2027.<ref>{{cite news |title=San Miguel targets 2027 opening for Bulacan airport |url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2024/11/05/2349879/san-miguel-targets-2027-opening-bulacan-airport |work=The Philippine Star |date=November 5, 2024 |access-date=2025-09-07}}</ref>

== Governance and planning ==
Unlike Metro Manila, which is managed by the [[Metropolitan Manila Development Authority]] (MMDA), the Greater Manila Area lacks a central governing body. Coordination is carried out through the [[Department of Economy, Planning, and Development]] (DEPDev) along with provincial governments.<ref>{{cite web |title=FROM NEDA TO DEPDEV: Ushering in a new era of strengthened economic governance |url=https://pia.gov.ph/press-releases/2025/04/11/from-neda-to-depdev-ushering-in-a-new-era-of-strengthened-economic-governance |work=Philippine Information Agency |date=April 11, 2025 |access-date=2025-09-07}}</ref>

The Luzon Urban Beltway has been a recurring feature in national development strategies, conceived to promote industrial clustering and global competitiveness.<ref>{{cite report |title=Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan 2004–2010 |publisher=NEDA |year=2004 |url=https://neda.gov.ph/medium-term-philippine-development-plan-2004-2010/ |access-date=2025-09-07}}</ref>

== Environmental and social issues ==
Traffic congestion in Metro Manila remains among the worst globally. In 2024, the TomTom Traffic Index ranked Metro Manila as the most congested city in the world.<ref>{{cite news |title=Metro Manila tops world traffic index anew |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2024/2/10/Metro-Manila-worst-traffic-2024.html |work=CNN Philippines |date=February 10, 2024 |access-date=2025-09-07 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> Economic losses due to congestion were already estimated at ₱3 billion per day in 2012, with projections that this could double by 2030.<ref>{{cite report |title=JICA Study on Transport Infrastructure Development in Metro Manila |publisher=Japan International Cooperation Agency |year=2014 |url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12042303.pdf |access-date=2025-09-07}}</ref>

Air quality remains a major concern, with vehicle emissions accounting for over 80% of air pollution in Metro Manila.<ref>{{cite web |title=Air quality management in the Philippines |url=https://www.emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/air-quality-management-in-the-philippines.pdf |publisher=Environmental Management Bureau |date=2019 |access-date=2025-09-07}}</ref> A 2023 policy paper estimated thousands of premature deaths annually in the capital region due to particulate matter exposure.<ref>{{cite web|title=Analyzing Traffic Congestion in Metro Manila |url=https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/document/Feb-23-2023-webinar-UNDP-Angelo-Jose-Lumban.pdf |publisher=Philippine Institute for Development Studies |date=February 2023 |access-date=2025-09-07}}</ref>

== Culture and identity ==
The Greater Manila Area is the cultural, educational, and media hub of the Philippines, hosting leading universities, hospitals, and broadcast networks. Its influence extends well into Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, and Rizal.  
While [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]] is the dominant language, localized dialects coexist with the Manila standard. The area continues to serve as the center of Philippine television, film, and print industries.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Metro Manila}}
{{World's most populous urban areas}}

{{coord missing|Philippines}}

[[Category:Greater Manila Area| ]]