Davao Geography And Economic Scope Overview

Davao is one of the regions in the Philippines situated at the southeastern part of Mindanao and is designated as Region XI.

The region consists of four administrative divisions or provinces known as the Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental and Davao City. Before, the region was referred to as Southern Mindanao. Surigao del Sur and South Cotabato were part of the region then.

During this time, Compostela Valley was part of Davao del Norte. On March 16, 1992 when Republic Act No. 7225 was signed and brought about Sarangani as a sole province which was then part of South Cotabato. During the governance of then President Fidel V. Ramos, Republic Act No. 7901 was signed by his excellency which moved Surigao del Sur as part of the newly created Caraga Region or the Region XIII. In 2001, President Arroyo released Executive Order No. 36 to re-organize the provinces and regions in Mindanao. South Cotabato and Sarangani then become part of SOCCSKSARGEN region and Southern Mindanao finally became Davao Region. This region was also called Silicon Gulf as it encloses the Davao Gulf.

Compostela Valley has a total area of 4666.93 square kilometers with Nabunturan as its capital while Davao del Norte has Tagum City as its capital with the total land area of 3462.82 square kilometers. Digos City is the capital of Davao del Sur and is 3934.01 square kilometers wide. Davao Oriental, on the other hand is 5164.46 square kilometers wide and having Mati City as its capital and Davao City has the total land area of 2443.61 square kilometers.

The region also has component cities which are Digos City in Davao del Sur, Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte, Panabo City and Tagum City, both were in Davao del Norte and Mati City in Davao Oriental. Rainfalls of undifferentiated distribution are common all year round. Good thing about this region is that it is hidden and protected in some ways from typhoons.

Davao Immigrants

Different groups of migrants dwelt in this region and majority of the group were Cebuanos. Some were Ilonggos and Ilocanos while some heathens include Manobos, Bagobos, Mansakas, Maguindanon, Kagans and Tirurays.

Davao Resources and Economy

The Philippines is known for its rich natural resources. It is rich in fertile lands and marine resources. But not only that, the country is also rich with some precious metals. Davao region or Southern Mindanao is very abundant in fertile lands and is a great source of minerals and metals which include chromite, iron, nickel, manganese, gold, copper, and even with non-metallic materials. About five primary fishing grounds of the country are found in this region.

Most of the economy in the region is basically based on agriculture. The region is now beginning to turn into a hub for agro-industrial enterprises, commerce and tourism. The region has the edge in agricultural industry because most of its products were exported to other countries and these include bananas, pineapples, fresh asparagus and even fish products.

Southern Mindanao has been the essential and important connection to markets in other parts of the larger Mindanao and even in Brunei Darussalam and some parts of Indonesia and Malaysia. The region is also beginning to develop to be a call center sector. Mining, fishery, forestry and other activities related to economy are also found in this region.

Sasa International Seaport in Sasa, Sta. Ana Pier located in Chinatown District, the Panabo Seaport in Davao del Norte and the Mati Seaport in Davao Oriental are considered to the Southern Mindanao's primary larboards. The largest and considered to be well developed is the airport in Davao City. In spite of it all, Davao can be reached by land, air and sea. Communication facilities, power supply and water supply are sufficient in the region. No need to worry for those who would want to visit and explore Davao as the region is progressively developing to become a tourist destination in its own merit.