Bago, chartered city in the west central Philippines on Negros Island, in Negros Occidental Province, on Guimaras Strait. Bago lies 19 km (12 mi) south of the capital of Negros Occidental, Bacolod, and 3 km (2 mi) north of Bacolod's port, Pulupandan. Guimaras Island and the city of Iloilo on Panay Island are located opposite Bago across Guimaras Strait. The area around Bago is the Philippines' major sugar-producing area, and sugar-milling is a major industry in Bago. Rice production and rice-milling are also important in the region. The coastal road that circles Negros Island connects Bago with Bacolod, Pulupandan, Silay, and other cities and towns. As with many Philippine chartered cities, the total area of the city (402 sq km/155 sq mi) includes a large portion of farmland. Bago was chartered in 1965. Between 1980 and 1990 the population increased by 23 percent, less than the national growth for that period of 26 percent. Population (1990) 122,863.
