The Philippines is an archipelagic country made up of thousands of islands, and its rivers are an important part of its geography, ecosystems, agriculture, transportation, communities, and freshwater resources. The country’s rivers range from large drainage systems extending across several provinces to smaller waterways that serve particular towns, cities, and watersheds.

Below is the complete list arranged by island group/region, with continuous serial numbers within each group and tributaries shown beneath their parent rivers.

Rivers of the Philippines by Region

Luzon

	River
1	Abra River
2	Abulog River
3	Agno River
4	Angat River
5	Apayao River
6	Bay River
7	Bicol River
8	Cagayan River
9	└─ Chico River
10	└─ Ilagan River
11	└─ Magat River
12	└─ Pinacanauan River
13	└─ Siffu River
14	└─ Mallig River
15	Calumpang River (Batangas)
16	Ifugao River
17	Mabato River
18	Mangangate River
19	Marikina River
20	Morong River
21	Pagsanjan River
22	Pampanga River
23	Pangil River
24	Pansipit River
25	Parañaque River
26	Pasig River
27	└─ San Juan River
28	└─ Taguig River
29	San Juan River
30	San Cristobal River
31	Santa Cruz River
32	Sapang Baho River
33	Siniloan River
34	Tarlac River
35	Tullahan River
36	Tunasan River
37	Umiray River
38	Wawa River

Luzon total: 38 listed rivers and tributaries

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Visayas

	River
1	Aklan River
2	Banica River
3	Hilabangan River
4	Ilog River
5	Iloilo River
6	Jalaur River
7	Loboc River
8	Panay River
9	Silmugi River
10	Subangdaku River

Visayas total: 10 rivers

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Mindanao

	River
1	Agus River
2	Agusan River
3	└─ Umayam River
4	Buayan River
5	Cagayan River (Cagayan de Oro)
6	└─ Bubunaoan River
7	└─ Kalawaig River
8	└─ Tagite River
9	Davao River
10	└─ Salug River
11	Guagua River
12	Malungon River
13	Mindanao River
14	└─ Pulangi River
15	└─ Bobonawan River
16	└─ Tigwa River
17	└─ Manupali River
18	└─ Muleta River
19	└─ Sawaga River
20	└─ Maradugao River
21	└─ Kabacan River
22	└─ Buluan River
23	└─ Allah River
24	Tagum River
25	Libuganon River
26	Tagoloan River

Mindanao total: 26 rivers and tributaries

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Complete Numbered List

	Island Group	River
1	Luzon	Abra River
2	Luzon	Abulog River
3	Luzon	Agno River
4	Luzon	Angat River
5	Luzon	Apayao River
6	Luzon	Bay River
7	Luzon	Bicol River
8	Luzon	Cagayan River
9	Luzon	Chico River
10	Luzon	Ilagan River
11	Luzon	Magat River
12	Luzon	Pinacanauan River
13	Luzon	Siffu River
14	Luzon	Mallig River
15	Luzon	Calumpang River
16	Luzon	Ifugao River
17	Luzon	Mabato River
18	Luzon	Mangangate River
19	Luzon	Marikina River
20	Luzon	Morong River
21	Luzon	Pagsanjan River
22	Luzon	Pampanga River
23	Luzon	Pangil River
24	Luzon	Pansipit River
25	Luzon	Parañaque River
26	Luzon	Pasig River
27	Luzon	San Juan River
28	Luzon	Taguig River
29	Luzon	San Juan River
30	Luzon	San Cristobal River
31	Luzon	Santa Cruz River
32	Luzon	Sapang Baho River
33	Luzon	Siniloan River
34	Luzon	Tarlac River
35	Luzon	Tullahan River
36	Luzon	Tunasan River
37	Luzon	Umiray River
38	Luzon	Wawa River
39	Visayas	Aklan River
40	Visayas	Banica River
41	Visayas	Hilabangan River
42	Visayas	Ilog River
43	Visayas	Iloilo River
44	Visayas	Jalaur River
45	Visayas	Loboc River
46	Visayas	Panay River
47	Visayas	Silmugi River
48	Visayas	Subangdaku River
49	Mindanao	Agus River
50	Mindanao	Agusan River
51	Mindanao	Umayam River
52	Mindanao	Buayan River
53	Mindanao	Cagayan River (Cagayan de Oro)
54	Mindanao	Bubunaoan River
55	Mindanao	Kalawaig River
56	Mindanao	Tagite River
57	Mindanao	Davao River
58	Mindanao	Salug River
59	Mindanao	Guagua River
60	Mindanao	Malungon River
61	Mindanao	Mindanao River
62	Mindanao	Pulangi River
63	Mindanao	Bobonawan River
64	Mindanao	Tigwa River
65	Mindanao	Manupali River
66	Mindanao	Muleta River
67	Mindanao	Sawaga River
68	Mindanao	Maradugao River
69	Mindanao	Kabacan River
70	Mindanao	Buluan River
71	Mindanao	Allah River
72	Mindanao	Tagum River
73	Mindanao	Libuganon River
74	Mindanao	Tagoloan River

For geographical purposes, Philippine rivers are commonly discussed according to the country’s three major island groups: Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. The national hydrological system includes 18 major river basins recognized for water-resource and flood-management purposes. These include the Cagayan, Mindanao, Agusan, Pampanga, Agno, Abra, Pasig-Marikina-Laguna de Bay, Bicol, Abulog, Tagum-Libuganon, Ilog-Hilabangan, Panay, Tagoloan, Agus, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Jalaur, and Buayan-Malungon basins.

Among the country’s major waterways, the Cagayan River is generally identified as the longest river in the Philippines. It flows through northern Luzon and empties into the Philippine Sea. Other major river systems include the Mindanao River system, Agusan River, Pampanga River, Agno River, and Abra River.

The following is a regional list of rivers in the Philippines, including major rivers and tributaries.

Rivers in Luzon

Luzon contains some of the country’s largest river systems. Its rivers drain mountainous areas, agricultural plains, urban centers, and coastal regions. The Cagayan River, Pampanga River, Agno River, Abra River, and Bicol River are among the major river systems associated with Luzon. The Cagayan basin is particularly extensive and is the largest of the country’s major river basins.

Abra River

The Abra River is one of northern Luzon’s significant river systems. It is associated with the Abra River Basin, one of the 18 major river basins recognized in the Philippines. The river and its watershed are important to communities and agricultural areas in the Cordillera and adjoining parts of northern Luzon.

Abulog River

The Abulog River, also spelled Abulug in some references, is located in northern Luzon. Its watershed is recognized separately as the Apayao-Abulug major river basin in current PAGASA hydrological monitoring.

Agno River

The Agno River is one of the major rivers of Luzon and is associated with the Agno River Basin. The basin is one of the 18 major river basins monitored for hydrological conditions in the Philippines.

Angat River

The Angat River is an important waterway in Central Luzon. Its watershed is particularly significant because of the Angat system and its role in water resources and flood management. PAGASA lists the Angat as a major sub-basin within its national hydrological monitoring system.

Apayao River

The Apayao River is located in northern Luzon and is associated geographically and hydrologically with the Apayao-Abulug river system.

Bay River

The Bay River is a river in the southern part of Luzon associated with the Laguna de Bay area and surrounding communities.

Bicol River

The Bicol River is one of the major river systems in the Bicol region. The Bicol River Basin is one of the 18 major river basins recognized for national hydrological monitoring.

Cagayan River

The Cagayan River is the longest river in the Philippines. Sources commonly give its length as approximately 505 kilometers, while some general geographical references give a figure of about 520 kilometers depending on measurement methodology. It flows across northern Luzon before reaching the Philippine Sea.

The Cagayan River has an extensive drainage basin covering parts of several provinces. Its tributaries include:

• Chico River
• Ilagan River
• Magat River
• Pinacanauan River
• Siffu River
• Mallig River

The Cagayan River Basin is the largest of the Philippines’ major river basins by drainage area. A Philippine government reference lists the basin at approximately 27,280 square kilometers and the river length at 505 kilometers.

Calumpang River

The Calumpang River of Batangas is an important waterway in Batangas Province. It passes through urban and residential areas and ultimately connects the inland drainage of Batangas with the coastal environment.

Ifugao River

The Ifugao River is associated with the mountainous landscapes of the Cordillera region, where steep terrain produces numerous streams and tributaries that contribute to larger watersheds.

Mabato River

The Mabato River is one of the rivers included among Luzon’s regional waterways.

Mangangate River

The Mangangate River is a waterway in Luzon and forms part of the network of rivers and drainage channels serving communities in the island’s lowland areas.

Marikina River

The Marikina River is one of the best-known waterways in Metro Manila. It forms part of the Pasig-Marikina-Laguna de Bay hydrological system, one of the country’s 18 major river basins.

The river is particularly important to flood management in the metropolitan area because its watershed is connected with densely populated communities.

Morong River

The Morong River is a river in Luzon included among the region’s waterways.

Pagsanjan River

The Pagsanjan River is located in Laguna and is associated with the river systems draining toward Laguna de Bay. It is also widely known for the natural scenery and tourism areas along its course.

Pampanga River

The Pampanga River is one of the largest river systems in Luzon and one of the country’s major river basins. It drains a large portion of Central Luzon before reaching Manila Bay. The Pampanga Basin is among the major river basins monitored by PAGASA.

Pangil River

The Pangil River of Laguna is another waterway in the Laguna area and forms part of the extensive network of rivers flowing toward the Laguna de Bay drainage system.

Pansipit River

The Pansipit River is located in Batangas and provides an important connection between the waters of Taal Lake and Balayan Bay. Its geographical setting makes it an important part of the hydrology of the Taal Lake area.

Parañaque River

The Parañaque River is an urban waterway in Metro Manila. Like many waterways in the metropolitan region, it is closely associated with urban drainage, flood management, and the movement of water toward Manila Bay.

Pasig River

The Pasig River is one of the most recognizable rivers in the Philippines. It flows through Metro Manila and historically provided an important waterway connecting Laguna de Bay with Manila Bay. The Pasig River is part of the Pasig-Marikina-Laguna de Bay river basin, which is one of the country’s 18 major river basins.

Its tributaries include:

• San Juan River
• Taguig River

San Juan River

The San Juan River is a major tributary within the metropolitan river system. It passes through heavily urbanized areas and ultimately contributes to the Pasig River system.

San Cristobal River

The San Cristobal River is located in Laguna and forms part of the waterways draining toward Laguna de Bay.

Santa Cruz River

The Santa Cruz River is another river associated with Laguna and its extensive lake drainage network.

Sapang Baho River

The Sapang Baho River is an urban waterway in Luzon associated with the Metro Manila and Laguna de Bay drainage environment.

Siniloan River

The Siniloan River is located in Laguna and is part of the region’s network of waterways draining toward Laguna de Bay.

Tarlac River

The Tarlac River is located in Central Luzon and serves as an important local waterway within the agricultural and urban landscapes of Tarlac Province.

Tullahan River

The Tullahan River is an urban river in Metro Manila. It forms part of the interconnected drainage system serving densely populated communities in the metropolitan area.

Tunasan River

The Tunasan River is a waterway in the southern portion of Metro Manila, contributing to the drainage network associated with the Laguna de Bay region.

Umiray River

The Umiray River is located in eastern Luzon and is associated with the mountainous watershed extending toward the Pacific coast.

Wawa River

The Wawa River is associated with the mountainous area of Rizal Province and the Marikina watershed. The river and its surrounding landscape are particularly important in discussions of water resources and watershed protection.

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Rivers in the Visayas

The Visayas is the central island group of the Philippines and contains numerous rivers distributed across Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Samar, and other islands. The region’s waterways include both large river systems and shorter rivers that flow directly from mountainous interiors to surrounding seas.

Several Visayan rivers are also associated with major river basins recognized by the Philippine government, including the Panay, Jalaur, and Ilog-Hilabangan basins.

Aklan River

The Aklan River is one of the important rivers of Panay Island. It flows through Aklan Province and is associated with the agricultural and natural landscapes of northwestern Panay.

Banica River

The Banica River is a river in the Visayas associated with Negros Island. It is among the regional waterways that contribute to the island’s local drainage systems.

Hilabangan River

The Hilabangan River is an important river in the Visayas and forms part of the Ilog-Hilabangan major river basin. The basin is one of the 18 major Philippine river basins monitored by PAGASA.

Ilog River

The Ilog River is located in Negros and is closely associated with the Ilog-Hilabangan river system. Its watershed is important to the surrounding agricultural and lowland areas.

Iloilo River

The Iloilo River is an important waterway in Iloilo Province on Panay Island. It is closely connected with Iloilo City and the coastal environment of Iloilo Strait.

The river has historically played an important role in commerce, settlement, fisheries, transportation, and the development of Iloilo’s urban waterfront.

Jalaur River

The Jalaur River is one of the principal rivers of Panay Island. It is associated with the Jalaur River Basin, one of the Philippines’ 18 major river basins.

The river system is important to agriculture and water resources in Iloilo Province.

Loboc River

The Loboc River is one of the best-known rivers of Bohol. It flows through the island’s tropical landscape and is widely recognized for its scenic river environment.

The river is surrounded by forested and rural landscapes in portions of its course and has become an important destination for river-based tourism in Bohol.

Panay River

The Panay River is a major waterway of Panay Island. The Panay River Basin is recognized as one of the country’s major river basins, reflecting the river’s importance to the island’s water resources.

Silmugi River

The Silmugi River is located in Cebu and is one of the waterways included in listings of rivers in the Visayas.

Subangdaku River

The Subangdaku River is located in Southern Leyte. It is one of the rivers contributing to the drainage systems of the eastern Visayas.

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Rivers in Mindanao

Mindanao contains some of the largest and most extensive river systems in the Philippines. Among its major waterways are the Agusan River, Mindanao River, Pulangi River, Agus River, Davao River, Tagum River, and Tagoloan River.

The Mindanao River Basin is one of the country’s largest river basins, while the Agusan Basin is another major hydrological system. PAGASA also recognizes Agus, Davao, Tagum-Libuganon, Cagayan de Oro, Buayan-Malungon, and Tagoloan among the country’s 18 major river basins.

Agus River

The Agus River is located in northern Mindanao and is particularly important to the hydrology of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte. The river is associated with the Agus River Basin, one of the major river basins monitored nationally.

The Agus system is also associated with Lake Lanao and the waterways flowing toward Iligan Bay.

Agusan River

The Agusan River is one of the largest rivers in Mindanao and one of the country’s principal river systems. It flows through the Agusan Valley before reaching Butuan Bay.

The Agusan River Basin is one of the 18 major river basins in the Philippines. Government references give the river a length of approximately 350 kilometers, although figures can vary slightly according to measurement methodology.

Its listed tributary in this river group is:

• Umayam River

The Umayam River is an important tributary associated with the Agusan watershed.

Buayan River

The Buayan River is located in southern Mindanao and is associated with the Buayan-Malungon major river basin. PAGASA identifies Buayan-Malungon as one of the country’s 18 major river basins.

Cagayan River of Cagayan de Oro

The Cagayan River of Cagayan de Oro is a separate river from the Cagayan River of northern Luzon. It flows through or near Cagayan de Oro City and is commonly referred to as the Cagayan de Oro River.

The Cagayan de Oro River Basin is one of the 18 major river basins recognized for national hydrological monitoring.

Its listed tributaries include:

• Bubunaoan River
• Kalawaig River
• Tagite River

The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources also lists the Cagayan de Oro River among classified water bodies in Region X.

Davao River

The Davao River is a major waterway in southeastern Mindanao and is associated with the Davao River Basin. The Davao Basin is one of the country’s 18 major river basins.

Its listed tributary is:

• Salug River

Guagua River

The Guagua River is a river of Mindanao included among the island’s regional waterways.

Malungon River

The Malungon River is associated with the Buayan-Malungon river system in southern Mindanao. The Buayan-Malungon basin is one of the major river basins recognized by PAGASA.

Mindanao River

The Mindanao River, also known as the Rio Grande de Mindanao, is one of the largest river systems in the Philippines. Government references list the Mindanao River Basin as having a drainage area of approximately 23,169 square kilometers and a river length of about 373 kilometers.

The system encompasses a complex network of tributaries and sub-river systems across central and southern Mindanao.

Pulangi River

The Pulangi River is one of the most important tributaries of the Mindanao River system. It flows through central Mindanao and is a major waterway of Bukidnon and neighboring areas.

The Pulangi system includes several tributaries:

• Bobonawan River
• Tigwa River
• Manupali River
• Muleta River
• Sawaga River

The Pulangi River is also significant in the broader Mindanao drainage system because it contributes substantial water flow to the Mindanao River.

Maradugao River

The Maradugao River is a tributary within the broader Mindanao River drainage system.

Kabacan River

The Kabacan River is another tributary associated with the Mindanao River system and the agricultural landscapes of central Mindanao.

Buluan River

The Buluan River is a river in central Mindanao and forms part of the extensive network of waterways connected with the Mindanao drainage system.

Allah River

The Allah River is another significant tributary associated with the Mindanao River system. Its watershed extends through areas of central and southern Mindanao.

Tagum River

The Tagum River is an important river in southeastern Mindanao. It is associated with the Tagum-Libuganon major river basin, one of the 18 major river basins recognized by PAGASA.

The river contributes to the drainage system around Tagum and surrounding areas before reaching the coastal environment.

Libuganon River

The Libuganon River is associated with the Tagum-Libuganon river system. The Tagum-Libuganon Basin is one of the country’s designated major river basins.

Tagoloan River

The Tagoloan River is located in northern Mindanao and is associated with the Tagoloan River Basin. PAGASA recognizes the Tagoloan Basin as one of the Philippines’ 18 major river basins.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources also lists the Tagoloan River among classified water bodies in Region X, with the river extending through parts of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon.

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The Importance of Philippine Rivers

Rivers in the Philippines have geographical, ecological, agricultural, economic, and social importance. Because the country has a mountainous terrain and receives substantial seasonal rainfall, rivers provide natural pathways through which water moves from upland watersheds toward lakes, bays, seas, and other lowland environments.

Rivers and Agriculture

Agriculture depends heavily on freshwater resources. River systems supply water to farming areas, particularly in major agricultural plains such as Central Luzon and the river valleys of northern and central Mindanao.

Large river basins also provide fertile floodplains where sediments deposited by rivers can contribute to productive agricultural landscapes.

Rivers and Flood Management

Rivers are also central to flood management. During periods of intense rainfall, river channels and their surrounding watersheds receive large quantities of runoff. When rainfall exceeds the capacity of waterways, flooding can occur in downstream communities.

PAGASA maintains hydrological monitoring for the country’s 18 major river basins and provides basin-level flood information. These include the Pampanga, Agno, Bicol, Cagayan, Pasig-Marikina-Laguna de Bay, Abra, Cagayan de Oro, Ilog-Hilabangan, Jalaur, Panay, Tagum-Libuganon, Apayao-Abulug, Agusan, Agus, Buayan-Malungon, Davao, Mindanao, and Tagoloan basins.

Rivers and Cities

Many Philippine cities developed near rivers because waterways historically provided access to transportation, water, food, agriculture, trade, and settlement.

The Pasig River, for example, has played a major role in the historical development of Metro Manila. The Iloilo River is closely associated with Iloilo City’s waterfront, while the Cagayan de Oro River is a defining geographic feature of Cagayan de Oro.

Other cities and communities across the country have similarly developed around river valleys, deltas, and coastal river mouths.

Rivers and Biodiversity

Philippine rivers support freshwater ecosystems and provide habitats for fish, aquatic plants, birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and other organisms. River ecosystems are connected to surrounding forests, wetlands, agricultural lands, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters.

Healthy upland forests are particularly important because they influence how rainfall enters river systems. Vegetation can reduce erosion and help regulate runoff, while degraded watersheds can contribute to increased sedimentation and faster surface runoff.

Rivers and Tourism

Several Philippine rivers have become destinations for nature-based tourism. The Loboc River in Bohol, for example, is widely known for its scenic landscapes and river tourism. Rivers in Luzon and Mindanao also support activities such as rafting, kayaking, sightseeing, fishing, and ecotourism.

The recreational value of a river often depends on the condition of the surrounding watershed. Clean water, intact vegetation, attractive landscapes, and healthy aquatic ecosystems can all contribute to a river’s tourism potential.

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Major River Systems of the Philippines

The country’s largest river systems demonstrate the geographical diversity of the archipelago.

The Cagayan River is the longest river and has the largest drainage basin. The Mindanao River has one of the country’s largest drainage areas, followed by the Agusan River and Pampanga River systems. A Philippine government reference lists the Cagayan, Mindanao, Agusan, and Pampanga basins as the four largest among the country’s major river basins by drainage area.

River system	Island group	Approximate length
Cagayan River	Luzon	505 km
Mindanao River	Mindanao	373 km
Agusan River	Mindanao	350 km
Pampanga River	Luzon	260 km
Agno River	Luzon	206 km
Abra River	Luzon	181 km
Pasig-Marikina-Laguna de Bay system	Luzon	78 km
Bicol River	Luzon	136 km
Abulog River	Luzon	175 km
Tagum-Libuganon system	Mindanao	89 km
Ilog-Hilabangan system	Visayas	178 km
Panay River system	Visayas	152 km
Tagoloan River	Mindanao	106 km
Agus River	Mindanao	36 km
Davao River	Mindanao	150 km
Cagayan de Oro River	Mindanao	90 km
Jalaur River	Visayas	123 km
Buayan-Malungon system	Mindanao	64 km

The figures in this table are basin or river-system figures from a Philippine government reference and may differ from measurements used in other geographical sources.

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Complete Regional List of Rivers

The rivers covered here are grouped below according to the three major island groups.

Luzon

• Abra River
• Abulog River
• Agno River
• Angat River
• Apayao River
• Bay River
• Bicol River
• Cagayan River
  • Chico River
  • Ilagan River
  • Magat River
  • Pinacanauan River
  • Siffu River
  • Mallig River
• Calumpang River (Batangas)
• Ifugao River
• Mabato River
• Mangangate River
• Marikina River
• Morong River
• Pagsanjan River
• Pampanga River
• Pangil River
• Pansipit River
• Parañaque River
• Pasig River
  • San Juan River
  • Taguig River
• San Juan River
• San Cristobal River
• Santa Cruz River
• Sapang Baho River
• Siniloan River
• Tarlac River
• Tullahan River
• Tunasan River
• Umiray River
• Wawa River

Visayas

• Aklan River
• Banica River
• Hilabangan River
• Ilog River
• Iloilo River
• Jalaur River
• Loboc River
• Panay River
• Silmugi River
• Subangdaku River

Mindanao

• Agus River
• Agusan River
  • Umayam River
• Buayan River
• Cagayan River (Cagayan de Oro)
  • Bubunaoan River
  • Kalawaig River
  • Tagite River
• Davao River
  • Salug River
• Guagua River
• Malungon River
• Mindanao River
  • Pulangi River
    • Bobonawan River
    • Tigwa River
    • Manupali River
    • Muleta River
    • Sawaga River
  • Maradugao River
  • Kabacan River
  • Buluan River
  • Allah River
• Tagum River
• Libuganon River
• Tagoloan River

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The rivers of the Philippines form an interconnected network extending from the mountainous interiors of Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao to the country’s bays, seas, lakes, and coastal wetlands. Some, such as the Cagayan, Pampanga, Agno, Abra, Agusan, Mindanao, and Pulangi, are large regional systems, while others serve primarily local watersheds and communities.

These rivers are more than geographic features. They support agriculture, freshwater ecosystems, settlements, water resources, flood-management systems, transportation, fisheries, and tourism. Their watersheds also connect upland forests with lowland communities and coastal environments.

The national importance of these waterways is reflected in the Philippines’ system of 18 major river basins, which provides a framework for hydrological monitoring, flood forecasting, water-resource management, and environmental planning.

Taken together, the rivers listed across Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao illustrate the extensive and geographically diverse freshwater network that runs through the Philippine archipelago.