The governor of Palawan is the local chief executive and head of the Provincial Government of Palawan in the Philippines. Along with the governors of Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, and Romblon, the province's chief executive is a member of the Regional Development Council of the Mimaropa Region.
History
In 1622, Governor General Alonso Fajardo de Entenza and Catholic Bishop Pedro de Arce of the Diocese of Cebu started the colonization of Palawan by sending Augustinian Recollects missionaries, led by Fr. Juan de Santo Tomas to Cuyo and Taytay. Southern Palawan that was still then controlled by the Bruneian Empire. Eventually, a garrison was built in Taytay to support the missionaries.
However, in 1658, Governor-General Sabiniano Manrique de Lara, ordered the removal of the garrison in Calamianes to reinforce the capital, which was then threatened by Chinese raids. Upon the removal of the garrison, a series of Moro raids occurred stealing the islands. Recollects unable to maintain themselves in Calamianes, eventually abandoned it. The Bishop of Cebu put clerics in their place but they were also forced to flee from the threat of Moro pirates.
It was only in 1718 under the administration of the Marshal, Governor-General Fernando Manuel de Bustillo Bustamante y Rueda, the Recollects returned to Calamianes, with the support of rebuilding of the garrison in Taytay, as the capital and the fortifications in various towns. Furthermore, the Recollects asked for another garrison to be set up in Paragua. In order to proceed accordingly, Bustamante sent Antonio Faveau, to Sultan of Borneo to ask the part he owned on the southern portion of Paragua. With no objection to granting it, and Bustamante eventually assigned Faveau as in-change and the new governor of the garrison. The province of Calamianes (now Palawan) was established which is includes the islands of Paragua, Cuyo, Lutaya, Calamianes, and other surrounding islands.
On December 14, 1857, Governor-General Fernándo Norzagaray y Escudero established the naval-military province of Balabac consisting of Agutayan, Bugsuk, Cabuliga, Carandurian (Candaraman), Catagupan (Gugupan), Dalauan (Indalawan), Panaan (Bancalaan), Pasig, Rabor (Labor), Tagagailo, and Singalo (Silom-Silom).
On May 16, 1859, Governor-General Norzagaray ordered the division of province into Calamianes and Paragua. Calamianes includes Cuyo as the capital, Agutaya, Busuanga, Coron, Culion, and Linapacan. While Paragua includes Taytay (as capital) in mainland Paragua, and Dumaran. On March 4, 1872, Puerto Princesa became an independent pueblo from Taytay, and established as the new capital of Paragua.