We’ve all got to start from Zero.
Sometimes, a visit to one landmark can spur you to get out of the house and give you a reason to travel somewhere. If you follow this blog, you know that I like to collect random things or visit specific reference points during road trips. One new travel quest I want to do in the future is to loop some of the many islands in the Philippines by motorcycle (the larger ones) or by bike (the smaller ones). And the best place to start in each island would be the Kilometer Zero markers on the road.
*New Sidequest unlocked*
In many countries around the world, Kilometer Zero or KM 0 refers to a particular location (usually in the nation’s capital city) from which distances are traditionally measured. The coordinates are also used for measuring distances between different countries around the world.
In the Philippines, the Kilometer Zero marker in Luneta across Rizal Park in the country’s capital Manila is the main point of reference. It serves as the nation’s starting point when measuring the distance going to the different provinces and cities in Luzon Island and the rest of the Philippines along the Pan-Philippine Highway.
But aside from this, other major islands in the country like Panay Island, Negros Island, Mindoro and smaller island provinces have their own Kilometer Zero markers. I previously visited the one in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, the original reference point for all roads in Mindanao during my quest to visit the 82 provinces of the Philippines.
After biking to the KM 0 marker in Manila during Holy Week, I got sucked into a rabbit hole of research on the topic of these landmarks. While I never really sought out the actual markers during previous trips, apparently I’ve been to most of them. I learned from this interesting article by Penfires (who wrote extensively about the topic) that KM Zero markers are centrally located in or near Provincial Capitol grounds.
While scouring GoogleMaps, I also found that most others are located near municipal halls, ports, town centers, or major road junctions. Some are just simple yellow posts, while other have more interesting designs and are considered historical landmarks. For travelers, these could be good starting points for future trips.
TRIVIA: Did you know that before World War II, the Philippines only had one Kilometer Zero, and it wasn’t in Luneta. Originally, the cross atop the central dome of the Manila Cathedral served as the primary reference point. It was moved by the Americans to its current location upon the completion of the beautification of Bagumbayan sometime in the early 20th century. (Source: Filipiknow).
Different Kilometer posts were established when the Pan-Philippine Highway was completed. According to Executive Order No. 487 passed in 1977, the Rizal Monument at the Rizal Park in Manila will remain as Km. 0+000 for Luzon. The order indicated the location for Kilometer Zero stations in Manila, Panay Island, Negros, and Mindoro stating that: “For all other island provinces, Km. 0+000 shall be in front of the Provincial Capitol Building in the provincial capital of the province.”
These are small yellow posts with the numbers located along main roads, especially in the province. These tell you how far you are from the KM 0 marker in Luneta and the distance to the next town or city. Back when there was no GPS, travelers would use these for navigation during long drives.
I’ve compiled the exact location for the KM 0 markers for the largest islands and island provinces in thecountry with Google Maps embedded for those who like to hunt down this sort of thing during rides.
For reference, the 10 largest islands of the Philippines are: Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, Negros, Palawan, Panay, Mindoro, Leyte, Cebu and Bohol. Check out this awesome infographic map of 100 of 7641 islands in the Philippines by Mapmaker David Garcia to get an idea of how large each island is.
Luzon is the largest and most populous island in the Philippines. You can find the Kilometer Zero marker for the whole island of Luzon in the country’s capital Manila. It’s located along Roxas Boulevard in Ermita directly across from the point where Philippine independence was proclaimed in 1946 before the Rizal Monument.
This is a small marble pylon with an image of the Philippines and the letters KM 0 to indicate the reference point when measuring the distance to other provinces on Luzon island and the rest of the country. It’s a popular photo op spot for pedestrians and cyclists, as it’s near the bike lane.
Mindanao is the second-largest island in the Philippines, located in the southern region of the archipelago. The KM 0 marker for Mindanao can be found in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. The colorful marker adorned with okir patterns is the “Original Reference Point of all roads in Mindanao.” You can find this by the Lanao People’s Park near the National Highway. I love the design of this one!
Samar Island is the third-largest island in the country and is made up of three provinces, namely Northern Samar, (Western) Samar, and Eastern Samar. The KM 0 marker for the whole Samar Island can be found near the Samar Provincial Capitol Building in Catbalogan City.
For some reason, Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental both have Kilometer Zero markers though they are both located on the same island – Negros Island. There’s a simple yellow road marker in front of the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City near the Capitol Park and Lagoon.
The KM 0 marker in Negros Oriental can be found next to the Ninoy Aquino Freedom Park along the Capitol Highway in Dumaguete City. This one is a modern street sign instead of the usual yellow road marker.
Palawan’s KM 0 marker can be found along a busy intersection of Rizal Avenue (the main street) and Fernandez Street in Puerto Princesa. The area is referred to as Junction 1 by locals and tricycle drivers. Since it’s hard to take a photo of the actual marker in the middle of the street because of the traffic, the Palawan Provincial Capitol is another nearby landmark you could visit.
Panay Island is the sixth-largest island in the country and consists of four provinces: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo. The Arroyo Fountain, a prominent landmark in Iloilo City found in front of the old Iloilo Provincial Capitol or “Casa Real” serves as the Kilometer Zero marker for the entire Panay Island.
This KM 0 fountain is the benchmark used to measure distances from Iloilo City to other points in Panay Island. The historic fountain in the middle of a rotunda features four maidens carrying a basin facing four directions of North-South-West-East.
The KM 0 for Mindoro Island can be found right outside the Calapan Port in Oriental Mindoro. It’s a small yellow road marker right outside the port’s gate.
Most people who visit Leyte usually go to the MacArthur landing or San Juanico bridge for photo ops. Leyte Island’s KM 0 marker is a small yellow obelisk along the road near the Provincial Capitol grounds in Tacloban City. One side bears the usual numbers, while one side reads: “All kilometerage in the island of Leyte and in the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc are reckoned from this Kilometer Post.” This one looks cool and easy to take a photo of with a bike or motorcycle with the capitol in the background.
Cebu Island’s KM 0 can be found at the end of Osmeña Boulevard, a major thoroughfare in Cebu City right in front of the Provincial Capitol grounds. The KM 0 marker is right in front of the flagpole.
Bohol’s KM 0 can be found on the Capitol Building of Bohol in Tagbilaran City. Unlike other road markers, the KM 0 marker is printed on a plate and embedded into one of the columns of the white building itself, which makes it unique.
I actually biked past this during a Panglao bike loop, but I didn’t notice the marker. The building is the same place where the National Museum of Bohol is located. Guess I have a reason to return.
- Basilan – Basilan Provincial Capitol Grounds, Isabela City, Basilan
- Batanes – The three islands of Batanes have their own KM 0 markers. The one in Batan Island is located in the Basco Municipal Hall Area. The one in Sabtang Island is along the National Road near the port and San Vicente Ferrer church. The one in Itbayat is in the Municipal Grandstand and park.
- Biliran – Biliran Municipal Hall
- Camiguin – Simple road marker along the Camiguin Circumferential Rd in Mambajao. It’s along the road near the Camiguin signage by the Municipal Tourism Office.
- Catanduanes – In front of Catanduanes Provincial Capitol, Virac
- Dinagat – Near the Municipal Hall and port, Dinagat Island
- Guimaras – Guimaras Provincial Capitol Grounds, Jordan
- Marinduque – Boac Provincial Capitol Grounds
- Masbate – In front of the Masbate City Hall
- Siquijor – At an intersection of the Siquijor Circumferential Road near the Siquijor Pier
- Sulu – Sulu Provincial Capitol, Jolo
- Tawi-Tawi – Tawi-Tawi Provincial Capitol, Bongao
Bataan also has a Zero Kilometer Death March marker, indicating the starting point of the Bataan Death March in Bagac in 1942, while a similar marker can be found in the free port town of Mariveles.
Baguio City also has a KM 0 marker in a very busy part of the city, which serves as a reference point starting from Baguio City. The intersection known as Plaza Garden is located right in front of Maharlika Building where Harrison street and lower session road meet. The Plaza Garden is near Burnham Park.
Whew. That’s a lot of Kilometer Zeros to hunt down! Hope you find this post informative.
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