Roman Catholicism remains the dominant religion in Mindoro, with a combined majority of the population in Oriental and Occidental Mindoro identifying as adherents, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The comprehensive dataset, released by the PSA on December 29, 2023, provides valuable insights into the religious composition of Mindoro, offering a snapshot of its vibrant and multifaceted society.

In Oriental Mindoro, 731,601 individuals, or 80.5% of the total population of 908,339, identified as Roman Catholic.

Neighboring Occidental Mindoro followed closely with 74.5% of its population, or 391,582 out of 525,354 residents, subscribing to the Catholic faith.

Collectively, the two provinces contribute largely to MIMAROPA Region’s 2,342,976 Roman Catholics, who make up 72.6% of the region’s 3,228,558 residents.

Calapan City
The City of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro’s capital, recorded the highest concentration of Roman Catholics among the region’s municipalities and component cities, with 129,242 individuals representing 88.7% of its 145,786 residents.

Other municipalities in Oriental Mindoro with strong Catholic populations include:

• Naujan: 94,565 Catholics (86.3%) out of 109,587 total residents.
• Pinamalayan: 77,882 Catholics (86.2%) out of 90,383 residents.
• Bongabong: 54,098 Catholics (70.3%) of its 76,973 population.

In Occidental Mindoro, San Jose leads with 125,509 Catholics, accounting for 81.9% of its 153,267 residents.

Sablayan, another booming town, has 64,426 Catholics, representing 69.6% of its 92,598 residents.

While Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Mindoro, other faiths also have notable followings.

Iglesia ni Cristo Presence
Occidental Mindoro has the highest proportion of Iglesia ni Cristo members in MIMAROPA Region, with 5.6% of its population, or 29,387 individuals.

Oriental Mindoro follows with 3.7%, or 33,631 people, identifying as members of the denomination.

Notably, San Jose leads in sheer numbers, with 8,568 Iglesia ni Cristo members, followed by Sablayan with 7,152.

Islam in Mindoro
Islam remains a minority religion in Mindoro, with 0.2% of the population in Oriental Mindoro (2,111 individuals) and Occidental Mindoro (687 people) identifying as Muslims.

On the other hand, the PSA data also reveals shifts in religious affiliations.

The proportion of Roman Catholics in the region decreased slightly from 75.3% in 2015 to 72.6% in 2020, indicating the growing diversity of beliefs.

Other notable religious groups in MIMAROPA include Seventh-day Adventists, who account for 2.1% of the population, and those practicing Tribal Religions (1.3%).

In Occidental Mindoro, indigenous groups such as the Mangyans contribute to the diversity of religious practices.

The PSA report reveals the deep cultural and historical ties of Mindoro’s communities to Catholicism, a legacy attributed to centuries of Spanish influence.

PSA noted that the Church continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the spiritual and social fabric of the provinces, providing outreach programs and community services.

Catholicism and Iglesia ni Cristo Coexist in Mindoro

The island of Mindoro is home to a complex and diverse religious landscape, shaped by centuries of colonial history and indigenous responses.

Catholicism, introduced to the Philippines by Spanish explorers in the 16th century, has a long and enduring presence in Mindoro.

The Calapan Apostolic Vicariate, established in 1679, has been a focal center for Catholic activity in the island.

Today, approximately 92.8% of the population in Calapan, the capital of Oriental Mindoro, identifies as Catholic.

In contrast, the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) officially registered in the Philippines in 1914, has experienced rapid growth and expansion throughout the Philippines, including Mindoro.

The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) established its presence in Oriental Mindoro in March 1940, when five ministers led by Mariano Castro, along with Honorio Castro, Ricardo Samson, Damaso Banaag and Simplicio Elizaga, began their missionary work in the province.

The church’s first local congregation in Calapan was officially registered in July 1940. From there, congregations gradually spread to other towns across the province.

In 1968, the present-day Calapan house of worship was dedicated under the leadership of Brother Benjamin Santiago. The church building, featuring distinctive Gothic-inspired architecture, can accommodate 1,300 worshippers.

The Iglesia ni Cristo now maintains 231 churches across Mindoro island — 117 in Oriental Mindoro and 114 in Occidental Mindoro.

The INC, which positions itself as a restorationist church, has attracted millions of adherents worldwide with its nontrinitarian beliefs and centralized governance structure.

The coexistence of Catholicism and Iglesia ni Cristo in Mindoro is a proof of religious diversification in the country.

While Catholicism remains the dominant faith, the rise of Iglesia ni Cristo and other independent religious movements manifests ongoing shifts in religious affiliation and belief systems among Filipinos.