PALAWAN, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE OF
Situated in the western part of the Philippine archipelago, it comprises the entire civil province of the same name, divided into eight municipalities, and was erected on 10 April 1910 and entrusted to the Augustinian Recollects. It extends over approximately 14,500 sq km and has a hot and humid climate with very fertile and lush soil, though largely still covered by thickets. The inhabitants are of Malay stock. The principal dialect is Cuyano. The predominant religion is Catholic. The number of inhabitants is 115,000, of whom 97,369 are Catholic; 16,000 are pagans and Muslims; the rest are Buddhists. The number of islands comprising the territory of the mission is 750. The residence of the Ordinary is Puerto Princesa, which is also the capital of the province of P.
This territory was occupied by the Spaniards in 1622. Five Augustinian Recollect hermit fathers, who accompanied the expedition, began the evangelization of that people. They continually had to endure the hostility and hatred of the Muslims, who did not fail to inflict serious damage on the Christian communities. Various missionaries met their death there. 276 years of work resulted in the conversion of the majority of the inhabitants, organized into two parishes and ten mission stations. The Spanish government provided the Recollects with a stipend for their adequate support. But in 1898 the armed revolt against Spanish officials marked the destruction of the mission works, churches, and parish houses. For three years no priest could enter that region. In 1901, after the first American expedition to the island of P., four Recollects were again sent there, who gradually restored the mission organization.
Spiritual state of the Mission: 25 priests, of whom 13 are Augustinian Recollect fathers, 2 American Jesuits, and 10 Filipino secular priests; 4 major and 17 minor seminarians; 23 sisters; 161 catechists; 31 teachers; 151 sacred buildings; 6 leper hospitals; 16 elementary schools; 9 intermediate schools; 9 high schools; one normal school.