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Rivers in the Philippines: The Complete List

The Philippines is an archipelago carved by coastlines, deltas and river valleys that shape local livelihoods, ecosystems and travel routes. Rivers thread through mountains and lowlands, linking forests, farms and coastal wetlands across the islands.

There are 32 Rivers in Philippines, ranging from Abatan River to Tullahan River. For each entry you’ll find below the data organized with Length (km), Island/Region, Mouth / notable (max 15 words), so you can quickly compare size, location and where each river meets the sea or a larger waterway — you’ll find below.

How are these rivers distributed across the main islands?

The list covers rivers on Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao with most entries tied to major watersheds; expect a mix of short coastal rivers and longer inland systems used for irrigation, transport and habitat, with locations noted in the Island/Region column for quick reference.

How can I use the Length (km), Island/Region and Mouth / notable columns?

Use Length (km) to compare scale, Island/Region to plan travel or study area, and Mouth / notable to spot estuaries, bays or conservation-relevant features — together they make the list practical for trip planning, research or environmental checks.

Rivers in Philippines

Name Length (km) Island/Region Mouth / notable (max 15 words)
Cagayan River 505.00 Luzon (Cagayan Valley) South China Sea; Philippines’ longest river
Rio Grande de Mindanao 372.00 Mindanao (Cotabato) Illana Bay; largest Mindanao river system
Pulangi River 376.00 Mindanao (Bukidnon/Cotabato) Joins Mindanao River; major hydroelectric source
Agusan River 349.00 Mindanao (Caraga) Butuan Bay; drains extensive marshlands and floodplain
Chico River 320.00 Luzon (Cordillera) Cagayan River tributary; noted for Kalinga indigenous sites
Pampanga River 260.00 Luzon (Central Luzon) Manila Bay; irrigates expansive agricultural plain
Agno River 246.00 Luzon (Pangasinan) Lingayen Gulf; site of major dams and mining areas
Magat River 226.00 Luzon (Isabela/Cagayan) Cagayan River tributary; supplies Magat Dam reservoir
Bicol River 206.00 Luzon (Bicol Region) Philippine Sea; drains the Bicol plain, flooding hotspot
Abra River 200.00 Luzon (Abra/Ilocos) South China Sea; principal river of Abra province
Pulantang? (excluded) 0.00
Pasig River 25.00 Luzon (Metro Manila) Manila Bay; links Laguna de Bay, historic trade artery
Marikina River 27.00 Luzon (Metro Manila) Pasig River; major flood tributary in Metro Manila
Jalaur River 160.00 Visayas (Panay) Guimaras Strait; main river of Iloilo province
Panay River 152.00 Visayas (Panay) Sibuyan Sea; drains central Panay plain
Iloilo River 16.00 Visayas (Iloilo) Iloilo Strait; river through Iloilo City
Cagayan de Oro River 97.00 Mindanao (Misamis Oriental) Macajalar Bay; popular whitewater rafting river
Tagoloan River 108.00 Mindanao (Misamis Oriental) Macajalar Bay; major northern Mindanao watershed
Davao River 170.00 Mindanao (Davao) Davao Gulf; flows through Davao City
Tagum River 90.00 Mindanao (Davao del Norte) Davao Gulf; river serving Tagum area
Loboc River 24.00 Visayas (Bohol) Bohol Sea; scenic river with tourist cruises
Inabanga River 40.00 Visayas (Bohol) Bohol Sea; largest river in Bohol island
Abatan River 36.00 Visayas (Bohol) Cortes Strait; noted for mangroves and wildlife
Bago River 64.00 Visayas (Negros Occidental) Guimaras Strait; flows near Bacolod
Puerto Princesa Underground River 8.20 Palawan South China Sea; UNESCO-listed subterranean river
Iwahig River 25.00 Palawan South China Sea; drains southern Puerto Princesa plains
Angat River 25.00 Luzon (Bulacan) Angat Reservoir; principal water source for Metro Manila
Tullahan River 27.00 Luzon (Metro Manila) Manila Bay; historically polluted urban river
San Juan River 14.00 Luzon (Metro Manila) Pasig River; runs through historic San Juan City
Sibalom River 73.00 Visayas (Panay/Antique) Sulu Sea; largest river in Antique province
Ilog River 92.00 Visayas (Negros Occidental) Sulu Sea; historically important inland waterway
Naga River 10.00 Luzon (Bicol Region) Bicol River; flows through Naga City, cultural river

Images and Descriptions

Cagayan River

Cagayan River

Cagayan River is the longest river in the Philippines. It runs across northern Luzon and drains a large basin. It flows north and empties into the Babuyan Channel. Include it as the country’s main river for length and basin size comparisons.

Rio Grande de Mindanao

Rio Grande de Mindanao

Rio Grande de Mindanao is the largest river system in Mindanao. It drains a wide valley and empties into the Moro Gulf. It is a key waterway for farming and transport in southern Mindanao.

Pulangi River

Pulangi River

Pulangi River is a major headwater of the Rio Grande de Mindanao. It runs through central Mindanao highlands and joins other rivers to form the Mindanao River. Note it as an important source river for southern basins.

Agusan River

Agusan River

Agusan River flows north through the Agusan Valley in eastern Mindanao. It drains into Butuan Bay on the Philippine Sea. It supports wetlands, forests, and communities along a wide floodplain.

Chico River

Chico River

Chico River runs across the Cordillera region in northern Luzon. It is a major tributary of the Cagayan River system. It flows through mountain valleys and serves many upland communities.

Pampanga River

Pampanga River

Pampanga River crosses Central Luzon and drains a large agricultural plain. It flows into Manila Bay through the central plain and delta. It is important for irrigation and flood control.

Agno River

Agno River

Agno River drains the central western part of Luzon. It flows to the Lingayen Gulf on the west coast. It supplies irrigation, hydropower, and crosses several provinces.

Magat River

Magat River

Magat River is a large tributary of the Cagayan River in Luzon. It joins the main Cagayan River after running through upland valleys. It is noted for the Magat Dam and irrigation projects.

Bicol River

Bicol River

Bicol River runs through the Bicol Region on southeastern Luzon. It drains a wide basin and empties toward San Miguel Bay and nearby coastal waters. It is central to Bicol transport and floodplain farming.

Abra River

Abra River

Abra River flows from the Cordilleras toward the west coast of northern Luzon. It empties into the South China Sea. It courses through steep valleys and serves riverside towns.

Pulantang? (excluded)

Pulantang? (excluded)

Pulantang is excluded due to unclear identity or lack of reliable data. It may be a local name, variant, or non-river feature. Exclude unclear entries to keep the list accurate and verifiable.

Pasig River

Pasig River

Pasig River links Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay across Metro Manila. It runs through Manila and is central to the capital’s history and transport. Include as the major urban river of the region.

Marikina River

Marikina River

Marikina River is a key tributary of the Pasig River in Metro Manila. It flows through Marikina Valley and joins Pasig near the city center. It is known for flood control and urban management efforts.

Jalaur River

Jalaur River

Jalaur River runs across Panay Island in the Western Visayas. It drains to nearby coastal waters and supports irrigation on Panay. It is one of the island’s main river systems.

Panay River

Panay River

Panay River drains the central plain of Panay Island. It flows toward the island’s coast and serves farming districts. It ranks among Panay’s primary rivers by basin area.

Iloilo River

Iloilo River

Iloilo River flows through Iloilo City on Panay Island. It empties into Iloilo Strait and supports ports and urban areas. It is important for local navigation and city history.

Cagayan de Oro River

Cagayan de Oro River

Cagayan de Oro River runs through northern Mindanao and Cagayan de Oro City. It flows to Macajalar Bay and supports commerce and white-water tourism. It is a major river for northern Mindanao.

Tagoloan River

Tagoloan River

Tagoloan River drains parts of Misamis Oriental in northern Mindanao. It flows to Macajalar Bay near coastal towns. It serves irrigation and local communities.

Davao River

Davao River

Davao River runs through Davao City on Mindanao’s southeastern coast. It empties into Davao Gulf and passes through urban and agricultural zones. It is central to Davao’s waterways and flood control.

Tagum River

Tagum River

Tagum River flows through parts of northern Davao Region near Tagum City. It drains toward Davao Gulf and supports local agriculture. Include it as a regional river in Davao del Norte.

Loboc River

Loboc River

Loboc River is on Bohol Island and is famous for river cruises and waterfalls. It flows to the sea at Loboc Bay and has karst scenery. It is a popular tourist and cultural river.

Inabanga River

Inabanga River

Inabanga River runs in northern Bohol and drains a wide valley. It reaches the sea at Inabanga and supports farming towns. It is one of Bohol’s major rivers by length and basin.

Abatan River

Abatan River

Abatan River is a coastal river in western Bohol. It flows to the sea near the town of Cortes and supports mangroves and fisheries. It is noted for boat tours and estuarine habitat.

Bago River

Bago River

Bago River runs in Negros Occidental and flows to the seas near Bacolod and surrounding towns. It drains a productive agricultural area. It is a main river for western Negros.

Puerto Princesa Underground River

Puerto Princesa Underground River

Puerto Princesa Underground River is a cave river on Palawan that flows under limestone to the West Philippine Sea. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a unique subterranean river. Include it for its ecological and touristic importance.

Iwahig River

Iwahig River

Iwahig River lies in southern Palawan near Puerto Princesa. It drains coastal plains and flows to nearby coastal waters. It is part of Palawan’s network of rivers and estuaries.

Angat River

Angat River

Angat River flows in Bulacan and feeds the Angat Dam and reservoir. It supplies much of Metro Manila’s water and helps generate hydropower. Include it for its role in national water supply.

Tullahan River

Tullahan River

Tullahan River runs through parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces. It empties into Manila Bay and passes urban areas. It is part of the city’s drainage and flood control systems.

San Juan River

San Juan River

San Juan River flows through San Juan City and parts of Metro Manila. It is a tributary of the Pasig River and forms local city borders. It is included as a notable urban tributary.

Sibalom River

Sibalom River

Sibalom River runs in Antique province on Panay Island. It drains a forested watershed and flows to the sea. It supports local communities and biodiversity in the region.

Ilog River

Ilog River

Ilog River flows in southern Negros Occidental and reaches the coast near Ilog town. It drains an agricultural plain and serves local transport and irrigation. It ranks among the province’s main rivers.

Naga River

Naga River

Naga River runs through Naga City in the Bicol Region. It flows across the city and joins larger Bicol waterways. It is included for its urban and cultural significance in Bicol.

Rivers in Other Countries