Pagsanjan Gorge National Park
One of the oldest national parks in the Philippines.
Pagsanjan Gorge National Park is a protected area and tourist destination in Laguna province, about 100 kilometers southeast of Manila. It covers 152.64 hectares of land around a series of gorges along the Bumbungan River, which flows to Pagsanjan Falls. The park is among the oldest in the Philippines and is one of several protected areas in Laguna. It lies within the municipalities of Pagsanjan, Cavinti, and Lumban.
The park originated in 1904, when Civil Governor Luke Edward Wright signed Executive Order No. 33, creating the Caliraya River Reservation (also known as the Caliraya Falls Reservation). That reserve initially spanned 5,892.22 hectares and was set aside for developing water power from the Caliraya River’s falls. In 1913, Governor-General William Cameron Forbes issued Executive Order No. 65, reducing the reserve to 2,019.34 hectares. Later, in 1939, President Manuel Luis Quezon signed Proclamation No. 392, reclassifying and renaming the area as Pagsanjan Gorge National Park and further shrinking it to its current size. In 1976, the park was declared a tourist zone, and its management was transferred to the Philippine Tourism Authority.
- established
- 1904
- area
- 152.64 hectares (377.2 acres)
- location
- Laguna, Philippines
- type
- National park and tourist zone
- original_name
- Caliraya River Reservation (or Caliraya Falls Reservation)
- original_area
- 5,892.22 hectares
Lore & Background
The park was first established in 1904 through Executive Order No. 33 signed by Civil Governor Luke Edward Wright as the Caliraya River Reservation (also known as the Caliraya Falls Reservation), covering 5,892.22 hectares. It was initially set aside for developing water power from the falls of the Caliraya River. In 1913, Executive Order No. 65 by Governor-General William Cameron Forbes reduced its size to 2,019.34 hectares. In 1939, through Proclamation No. 392 signed by President Manuel Luis Quezon, the reserve was reclassified and renamed Pagsanjan Gorge National Park, with its area further reduced to its present size of 152.64 hectares. The park was declared a tourist zone in 1976, with administration and control transferred to the Philippine Tourism Authority.
Reader's Guide
Pagsanjan Gorge National Park holds significance as one of the oldest protected areas in the Philippines, established in 1904. Its history reflects evolving conservation and land-use priorities, from a water-power reserve to a national park and tourist zone. The park's location in the municipalities of Pagsanjan, Cavinti, and Lumban, and its proximity to Manila, have made it a notable destination. The series of gorges on the Bumbungan River leading to Pagsanjan Falls are the park's central feature. Its designation as a tourist zone in 1976 shifted management to the Philippine Tourism Authority, emphasizing recreational use. As one of only two protected areas in Laguna, it represents a longstanding effort to preserve a specific natural landscape in the Philippines.
Did You Know?
- The park was first established in 1904 as the Caliraya River Reservation (or Caliraya Falls Reservation).
- It was renamed Pagsanjan Gorge National Park in 1939 by President Manuel Luis Quezon.
- The park covers 152.64 hectares, reduced from an original 5,892.22 hectares.
- It is one of several protected areas in the province of Laguna.
More in National parks of the Philippines 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record