Plateau in the Philippines:
Complete List with Facts (2026)
A comprehensive guide to all major Philippine plateaus — their locations, elevations, key features, and why they matter for geography, agriculture, and tourism.
What are the plateaus in the Philippines?
The major plateaus in the Philippines are the Cordillera Central Plateau (Mountain Province, Benguet, Ifugao, Luzon), the Bukidnon-Lanao Plateau (north-central Mindanao), the Cotabato Plateau (southern Mindanao), the Bicol Plateau (southern Luzon), and the Benham Plateau (an underwater plateau in the Philippine Sea). Plateaus in the Philippines are primarily found in the highland provinces of Luzon’s Cordillera and in north-central Mindanao, and are known for their cool climates, fertile agricultural land, and indigenous cultures.
| Plateau | Location | Island Group | Key Feature | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cordillera Central Plateau | Mountain Province, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga | Luzon | Banaue Rice Terraces, Baguio City | 1,500–2,500 m |
| Bukidnon-Lanao Plateau | Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur | Mindanao | Food basket of Mindanao, Lake Lanao | ~915 m avg |
| Cotabato Plateau / Basin | North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Maguindanao | Mindanao | Rio Grande de Mindanao basin | Low-elevation |
| Bicol Plateau | Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur | Luzon | Mayon Volcano, geothermal energy | Variable |
| Benham Plateau (Philippine Rise) | Philippine Sea (~250 km east of Isabela) | Underwater | Extinct undersea volcanic ridge, UNCLOS claim | Underwater |
| Mountain Province Plateau | Mountain Province, Cordillera | Luzon | Indigenous Igorot culture, pine forests | ~1,200–1,800 m |
| Benguet Plateau | Benguet Province, Cordillera | Luzon | Strawberry farms, vegetable growing | ~1,500 m |
| Ifugao Plateau | Ifugao Province, Cordillera | Luzon | UNESCO Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras | ~1,000–1,500 m |
Plateaus in Luzon
The Cordillera Central is the most extensive highland plateau system in the Philippines, forming the backbone of northern Luzon. It covers the provinces of Mountain Province, Benguet, Ifugao, and Kalinga-Apayao, and is the ancestral home of the Igorot peoples — one of the Philippines’ best-preserved indigenous highland cultures. The plateau is most famous for the Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao, hand-carved into the mountains over 2,000 years ago by Ifugao ancestors and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Baguio City, the Philippines’ summer capital, sits within the Benguet plateau region at approximately 1,540 meters above sea level.
- Home to the Banaue Rice Terraces — UNESCO World Heritage Site, often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World”
- Baguio City (elevation ~1,540 m) is the Philippines’ summer capital, famous for its cool climate and Panagbenga Flower Festival
- The Cordillera highlands are the source of several major Philippine rivers including the Cagayan River
- Cool climate supports strawberry farming in La Trinidad, Benguet — the strawberry capital of the Philippines
- Home to indigenous Igorot peoples including the Ifugao, Bontoc, Kalinga, Ibaloi, and Kankana-ey tribes
- Sagada (Mountain Province) is a popular tourism destination known for hanging coffins, caves, and pine forests
The Bicol Plateau region in southern Luzon is characterized by volcanic uplands and elevated terrain surrounding the famous Mayon Volcano — the world’s most perfectly shaped volcano cone, rising to 2,463 meters. The plateau’s volcanic geology makes it rich in geothermal energy, and the area hosts one of the Philippines’ major geothermal power plants. The Bicol region is also known for its distinct cuisine (heavy use of coconut milk and chili), the Cagsawa Ruins (a church destroyed by Mayon’s 1814 eruption), and whale shark (butanding) watching in Donsol, Sorsogon.
- Mayon Volcano (2,463 m) is the region’s most iconic landmark — one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines
- Geothermal energy from the Bicol volcanic plateau contributes to Luzon’s power grid
- Donsol in Sorsogon is the world’s top destination for ethical whale shark interaction
- The Cagsawa Ruins in Albay — a partially buried church — stands as a reminder of Mayon’s 1814 eruption
- Bicol cuisine, famous for the laing (taro in coconut milk) and Bicol Express (pork with coconut milk and chili), reflects the region’s volcanic soil fertility
Plateaus in Mindanao
The Bukidnon-Lanao Plateau is the largest plateau system in the Philippines, dominating the north-central portion of Mindanao. The name “Bukidnon” means highlander or mountain dweller in the local dialect — fitting for a province whose entire character is defined by its plateau terrain. The plateau is composed of extensive rolling grasslands, basaltic lava formations, and deep river canyons carved by the Pulangi, Tagoloan, and Cagayan rivers. Its cool, typhoon-free climate (Bukidnon is one of the few Philippine provinces protected from typhoons by surrounding mountain ranges) makes it ideal for agriculture. Within the plateau lies Lake Lanao at an elevation of 700 meters — the second largest lake in the Philippines and a critical freshwater source.
- Considered the food basket of Mindanao — major producer of rice, corn, sugarcane, pineapple, coffee, and rubber
- Average elevation of ~915 m gives it a cool, refreshing climate — typhoon-free due to surrounding mountain ranges
- Lake Lanao (elevation 700 m) is the 2nd largest lake in the Philippines, sacred to the Maranao people
- Mt. Kitanglad (2,899 m) and Mt. Dulang-dulang (2,938 m — 2nd highest peak in PH) rise above the plateau
- Home to Maria Cristina Falls — one of the Philippines’ major hydroelectric power sources
- The Kaamulan Festival in Malaybalay celebrates the 7 indigenous tribes of Bukidnon every March
- Del Monte Philippines operates pineapple plantations covering tens of thousands of hectares on the plateau
The Cotabato Basin lies south of the Bukidnon-Lanao Plateau, forming a large lowland depression surrounded by three mountain ranges. It forms the lower river basin of the Rio Grande de Mindanao — the second largest river system in the Philippines. The basin’s opening to the sea faces northwest at Illana Bay where the Mindanao River empties. The Cotabato region is one of Mindanao’s most agriculturally productive areas and is home to a significant Muslim Filipino (Bangsamoro) population, with Cotabato City serving as a key cultural and administrative center.
- Drained by the Rio Grande de Mindanao — the Philippines’ 2nd longest river system
- Surrounded by three mountain ranges, with its only outlet to the sea at Illana Bay
- Major rice and corn producing region of Mindanao
- Cotabato City is the seat of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)
Benham Plateau — The Philippine Rise
The Benham Plateau — officially renamed Philippine Rise by President Duterte in 2017 — is an underwater geological plateau in the Philippine Sea, approximately 250 km east of Dinapigue, Isabela. Unlike the land plateaus above, this is a submerged extinct volcanic ridge sitting on the seafloor. It is seismically active and has been linked to several major earthquakes in the region, including its effects on the 1990 Luzon earthquake. In 2012, the United Nations officially recognized the Philippines’ claim over the Benham Plateau as part of its extended continental shelf under UNCLOS — a major geopolitical and economic victory for the Philippines as it extends the country’s exclusive rights over the area’s marine resources.
- Renamed “Philippine Rise” in 2017 to assert Philippine sovereignty over the area
- Approved by the UN under UNCLOS in 2012 as part of Philippines’ extended continental shelf
- Seismically active — studied for its effects on Philippine earthquake activity
- Rich in marine biodiversity and potential deep-sea mineral resources
- The plateau represents approximately 13 million hectares of additional sea territory for the Philippines
The most common questions about plateaus in the Philippines — answered directly.
What are the plateaus in the Philippines?
What is the largest plateau in the Philippines?
What is an example of a plateau in the Philippines?
Where are plateaus found in the Philippines?
What is the Benham Plateau in the Philippines?
What crops are grown on Philippine plateaus?
Giovanni Carlo P. Bagayas is a seasoned travel guide, passionate explorer, and proud cat lover from the Philippines. Born in Cebu City and raised between Cebu and Dumaguete City, he now resides in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur — where he spends his days writing about the Philippines and tending to his thriving collection of koi fish, guppies, tilapia, and a crayfish farm.
With years of experience uncovering the hidden gems of his homeland, Giovanni has dedicated his career to showcasing the beauty, culture, and adventure that the Philippines has to offer. As the author of Best Philippines Travel Guide, he combines his expertise and love for travel to provide insightful tips, detailed itineraries, and captivating stories for travelers seeking unforgettable experiences in the Philippines.
When he’s not exploring a new destination or writing a guide, you’ll find Gio feeding his koi pond, caring for his cats, or checking on his fish farm. Giovanni’s mission is to inspire wanderlust and help visitors — and fellow Filipinos — discover the true essence of their vibrant country.