REGION-XI PROFILE

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF REGION-XI

Davao Region, designated as Region XI, is one of the regions of the Philippines, located on the southeastern portion of Mindanao. Davao Region consists of four provinces, namely: Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental. The region encloses the Davao Gulf and its regional center is Davao City.

Region XI was originally called Southern Mindanao, and in addition to the three Davao provinces also included Surigao del Sur and South Cotabato. At that time, Compostela Valley was still part of Davao del Norte. Republic Act No. 7225, ratified on March 16, 1992, created the province of Sarangani from South Cotabato. Then, Republic Act No. 7901, signed on February 3, 1995, by President Fidel V. Ramos transferred Surigao del Sur into the newly created region of Caraga (Region XIII). Finally, on September 19, 2001, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Executive Order No. 36 reorganized the regions and provinces in Mindanao. This moved South Cotabato and Saranggani to SOCCSKSARGEN region and renamed Southern Mindanao as Davao Region.

This region also bears the nickname Silicon Gulf.

It comprises a total area of 3,157,966 hectares or 10.5 percent of the total land area of the Philippines which is estimated at 300,000 square kilometers.

CULTURAL GROUPS

The region is an in-migration area, with a mixture of migrants, which include Cebuanos, Ilonggos and Ilocanos. Its ethnic groups include Manobos, Bagobos, Mansakas, Maguindanon, T’boli, Tirurays and a few Muslims.

LANGUAGE/DIALECTS SPOKEN

Mother tongue of population (dialect) spoken by majority in the region is Visayan. Other dialects spoken are: Davaoeño, Hiligaynon, Cebuano, B’laan, Waray, Maguindanao, Tagalog, Bagobo, Tagacaulo, Ilocano, Manobo, Ilonggo, Mandaya


CLIMATE

The region enjoys a mild pleasant tropical climate because of its prevailing normal atmospheric condition. No pronounced dry or wet season, as it has been identified, the region belongs to type IV climate corona, meaning the rainfall is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. Maximum rainfall generally occurs in November and January. The annual rainfall amount is 2,357.5 milliliters and the average annual temperature is 27.3 C to 32 C as observed at PAG-ASA Davao Station.

The area is rarely visited by tropical cyclone (typhoon) due to its latitudinal location which is near the equator and has recorded two (2) typhoons which occurred in 1910 and 1970 “Typhoon Titang”. Temperature below the regional average is registered in elevated areas and along the slopes of Mt. Apo near Davao City.


NATURAL RESOURCES

Aside from its forestland and fertile fields, Southern Mindanao has mineral resources of chromite, iron, nickel, and manganese, gold, copper and other non-metallic minerals. Five of the major fishing grounds of the Philippines are located in the region.

ECONOMY

While the region’s economy is predominantly agri-based. It is now developing into a center for agro-industrial business, trade and tourism. Its competitive advantage is in agri-industry as its products, bananas, pineapples, fresh asparagus, and fish products are exported abroad. The region can be a vital link to markets in other parts of Mindanao, Brunei Darussalam and parts of Malaysia and Indonesia.

There is a gradual shift to industrialization as shown with industry’s growth rate of 8.1% in 1996. Other economic activities are mining, fishery, forestry and agriculture

MAJOR INDUSTRIES

The region is fast industrializing. Agriculture is the main industry, though its recent trend show that its economy is steadily moving away towards value added processing activities.

The construction industry is also booming. Growth rates posted high for commercial and industrial construction.

Grain processing is another major industry in the region especially in Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental. Large quantities of export quality fruits like pineapples, bananas, citrus and pomelo are produced in the region.

Fishing is the industry mostly engaged especially in Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental because it is surrounded by large bodies of water rich with fishery resources.

The region, particularly in Compostela Valley (COMVAL) Province is rich in gold and copper deposits, iron, Ore, and copper are also mined in Davao Oriental.

FACILITIES

The region’s principal ports are the Sasa International Seaport in Sasa, Sta. Ana Pier in the Chinatown District, Panabo Seaport in Davao del Norte, and Mati Seaport in Davao Oriental. Infrastructure developments in the cities within the region are considered excellent.

The airport in Davao City is the largest and most developed in Mindanao. The region is accessible by land, air and sea. The region has adequate communications facilities, reliable power and an abundant water supply.


COMMUNICATION

Region-XI has access to the world via airmail, cargo firms, direct telephone and cellular lines, paging system and the World Wide Web.


POLITICAL SUBDIVISION

Davao is a region in southeastern Mindanao, Philippines that boast of its natural beauty and resources. Davao is composed of four provinces namely: Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley and the City of Davao. It also has five (5) component cities. At present, the region has a total of forty- five (45) municipalities distributed among its four (4) provinces. Collectively, they are designated as Region XI of the Philippines.


COMPONENT CITIES

• Digos City, Davao del Sur
• Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte
• Panabo City, Davao del Norte
• Tagum City, Davao del Norte
• Mati City, Davao Oriental

Province/City
Capital Population
(2007)
Area
(km²)

Compostela Valley

Nabunturan
637,366 4,666.93

Davao del Norte
Tagum City
847,440 3,462.82

Davao del Sur
Digos City
822,406 3,934.01

Davao Oriental
Mati
486,104 5,164.46

Davao City
1,363,337 2,443.61

Davao City is also one of several cities in the Philippines that are independent of any province. The city is also the regional center for the Davao Region. Davao City is the most important city in Mindanao and the largest city in Asia in terms of land area - occupying more than 244,000 hectares. Its population according to the 2007 Census is 1,363,337. It's international airport and seaport is one of the busiest cargo hubs in the southern Philippines.
Davao region is a major producer of gold, and its mining resources include silica, silver, copper and elemental sulfur. It is where the highest peak (10,311 feet) in the Philippines is located – Mt. Apo, where only the brave dare climb.
There are many places to go and things to do in Davao. Just 5 kilometers north of the city is Lanang Golf & Country Club with an 18 hole course. To the south of the city are Apo Golf & Country Club and New Davao City Golf Club. The region has many hotels and resorts to relax and unwind. For the gourmet, Davao offers a wide variety of local and international cuisines at very reasonable prices. Davao is known for its fresh seafood, notably the grilled yellow fin tuna, tiger prawns, barbeques and other delightful specialties. Not to be missed when in Davao is the Durian, the fruit that smells like hell but taste like heaven!