Davao del Sur

Davao del Sur
Timog Dabaw
Province

Flag

Seal

Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 06°20′N 125°30′E / 6.333°N 125.500°E / 6.333; 125.500Coordinates: 06°20′N 125°30′E / 6.333°N 125.500°E / 6.333; 125.500
Country Philippines
Region Davao Region (Region XI)
Founded May 8, 1967
Capital Digos City
Government
  Governor Claude Bautista (NPC)
  Vice Governor Aileen Almendras (NPC)
Area[1]
  Total 2,163.98 km2 (835.52 sq mi)
Area rank 56th out of 81
  Excluding Davao City
Population (2010)[2]
  Total 574,910
  Rank 46th out of 81
  Density 265.7/km2 (688/sq mi)
  Density rank 28th out of 81
  Excluding Davao City
Divisions
  Independent cities 1
  Component cities 1
  Municipalities 9
  Barangays 232
including independent cities: 414
  Districts Lone District of Davao del Sur
Time zone PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP code 8000 to 8010
Dialing code 82
ISO 3166 code PH-DAS
Spoken languages Cebuano, Tagalog, Bagobo, Mansakan

Davao del Sur (Filipino: Timog Dabaw) is a province in the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital and largest city is Digos City. The province is bordered by Davao City to the north, the new province of Davao Occidental to the south and Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani to the west. To the east lies the Davao Gulf.

History

The beginnings of both Davao Region and Davao del Sur was associated with that of the foundation of Davao, which was the first town to be founded in southern Mindanao in 1848, following the conquest of the area by Don Jose Uyanguren of Guipúzcoa, Spain. In 1849, Nueva Guipúzcoa province was founded in the region conquered by Uyanguren in what is now Davao Region, with Davao, then called Nueva Vergara, as the provincial capital. Don Uyanguren, became the provincial governor, but failed in his efforts to develop the areas he conquered.

Just thirty-six years after the foundation of Davao, the town of Sta. Cruz was founded on the 5th day of October, 1884. It is the first town to be founded south of Davao and is now the oldest in the province.

In 1898, the Spanish administration in the Philippines ended in 1898 following its defeat during the Spanish–American War. In early 1900s, waves of immigrants from the Visayas, Luzon, and as well as from Japan began to live in the region, centered mainly in Davao. The region began to boom in economic growth as agricultural business proliferated in the region.

As part of the "food bowl" of what is now the province of Davao del Sur, otherwise known as the Padada Valley, the agricultural area south of the town of Santa Cruz, which is known as Digos that time, lured many migrants, majority of whom came from the Visayas and Ilocos regions to settle permanently in the area. Before World War II, an enterprising American by the name of N.E. Crumb leased 10.24 km² and transformed the place into an Abaca Plantation. This became the hub of economic activity in the locality during those days.

In 1942, during the start of the World War II in the Pacific, the first waves of invading Japanese units landed and entered the province of southern Davao.

In 1945, the liberation in southern Davao by the United States and the Philippine Commonwealth troops was supported by the Davaoeño guerrilla fighters against the Japanese forces beginning to fighting in the Second World War.

In 1967, Davao Province was divided into three provinces, one of them being Davao del Sur; the town of Digos was made its capital and will become a suburban city for the next 33 years.

In October 28, 2013, along with the Barangay Elections, a plebiscite was held to create a new province Davao Occidental, formed out of the southern part of Davao del Sur, covering the municipalities of the 2nd district of the province, namely Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Santa Maria, Sarangani and Malita (which was designated as the provincial capital) by virtue of Republic Act 10360 enacted on July 23, 2013, and the majority of votes cast were "Yes", ratifying the province.[3]

Geography

Located in the southeastern corner of the country's southernmost island of Mindanao, the province of Davao del Sur is bounded by the province of Davao del Norte to the north; Davao Occidental to the south-east; North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat to the west; South Cotabato and Saranggani to the south-west ; and Davao Gulf to the east. The province is composed of sandy beaches and outlying islands, agricultural plains and valleys, rainforests, swamps, rolling hills and mountains, including the Philippines' highest peak, Mount Apo, which is at 3,144 metres (10,315 ft) above sea level.

Its land area is 2,163.98 square kilometres (835.52 sq mi). When Davao City is included for geographical purposes, the province's land area is 4,607.59 square kilometres (1,779.00 sq mi).[1]

Administrative divisions

Davao del Sur is subdivided into 9 municipalities and 1 component city. Davao City, although part of the province for geographical and statistical purposes, is governed independently from the province.

City or
municipality
District[1] Area
(km²)[1]
Population
(2010)[1][4]
Density
(per km²)
No. of
barangays
ZIP
code
Income
class
(DOF)[1]
Coordinates

Bansalan 1st 157.75 56,496 358.1 25 8005 1st 6°47′11″N 125°12′46″E / 6.7863°N 125.2128°E / 6.7863; 125.2128 (Bansalan)
Davao City 3 LD 2,443.61 1,449,296 593.1 182 8000 1st 7°03′50″N 125°36′30″E / 7.0639°N 125.6083°E / 7.0639; 125.6083 (Davao City)
Digos 1st 287.10 149,891 522.1 26 8002 2nd 6°44′39″N 125°21′23″E / 6.7443°N 125.3565°E / 6.7443; 125.3565 (Digos)
Hagonoy 1st 114.28 49,107 429.7 22 8006 3rd 6°41′19″N 125°17′52″E / 6.6885°N 125.2978°E / 6.6885; 125.2978 (Hagonoy)
Kiblawan 2nd 390.07 44,618 114.4 30 8008 2nd 6°37′11″N 125°15′07″E / 6.6197°N 125.2519°E / 6.6197; 125.2519 (Kiblawan)
Magsaysay 1st 268.09 49,141 183.3 22 8004 3rd 6°45′21″N 125°09′00″E / 6.7559°N 125.1499°E / 6.7559; 125.1499 (Magsaysay)
Malalag 2nd 186.12 35,295 189.6 15 8010 2nd 6°35′55″N 125°24′00″E / 6.5986°N 125.4000°E / 6.5986; 125.4000 (Malalag)
Matanao 1st 202.40 51,382 253.9 33 8003 2nd 6°42′31″N 125°12′59″E / 6.7086°N 125.2164°E / 6.7086; 125.2164 (Matanao)
Padada 1st 83.00 25,724 309.9 17 8007 3rd 6°38′23″N 125°20′37″E / 6.6397°N 125.3437°E / 6.6397; 125.3437 (Padada)
Santa Cruz 1st 319.91 81,093 253.5 18 8001 1st 6°50′02″N 125°24′55″E / 6.8340°N 125.4154°E / 6.8340; 125.4154 (Santa Cruz)
Sulop 2nd 155.26 32,163 207.2 25 8009 3rd 6°35′56″N 125°20′48″E / 6.5990°N 125.3468°E / 6.5990; 125.3468 (Sulop)
   Provincial capital and component city      Municipality
     Highly urbanized city (geographically within but independent from the province)
  • Coordinates mark the vicinity of the city/town center, and are sorted according to latitude.
  • Income classifications for cities are italicized.

Climate

The province enjoys a mild, pleasant climate all year round. Because of its topographical characteristics and geographical location, it is rarely visited by typhoons. There is no pronounced wet or dry season. The coolest months are from November to February with an average temperature of 25 °C (77 °F). during the peak summer months from March to May, temperatures average 28 °C (82 °F) but may rise as high as 32 °C (90 °F).

Climate data for Davao del Sur, Philippines
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 42
(108)
38
(101)
39
(102)
38
(100)
37
(99)
43
(109)
38
(101)
39
(102)
39
(103)
38
(100)
34
(93)
38
(100)
43
(109)
Average high °C (°F) 30
(86)
31
(87)
31
(88)
32
(90)
32
(89)
31
(87)
31
(87)
31
(88)
31
(88)
31
(88)
31
(88)
31
(87)
31
(88)
Average low °C (°F) 23
(74)
23
(74)
24
(75)
24
(76)
24
(76)
24
(76)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
Record low °C (°F) 19
(66)
20
(68)
20
(68)
21
(70)
22
(72)
22
(72)
22
(71)
21
(70)
21
(70)
22
(71)
22
(72)
21
(69)
19
(66)
Source: Weatherbase[5]

Demographics

Population census of
Davao del Sur
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 423,272    
1995 457,244+1.46%
2000 504,289+2.12%
2007 549,836+1.20%
2010 574,910+1.64%
All population numbers exclude Davao City and municipalities under
Davao Occidental, which was part of the province until 2013.
Source: National Statistics Office[2]

As of May 2010 census, the population of Davao del Sur (excluding Davao City) was 868,690 people. When adjusted to the current boundaries after the formation of Davao Occidental, its population is 574,910. When Davao City is included for geographical purposes, the province's population is 2,024,206 people, with a density of 439 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,140/sq mi).

Davao del Sur is an ethnic mix of Mindanaoans, Visayans, Tagalogs, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish with a number of indigenous tribes scattered across the province. Davaoeño, a variant of Cebuano, is the main and official language of the province, although English and Filipino are widely spoken.

Religion

Christianity in the form of Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion in the province followed by more than 80% of the people. The remaining faiths are Islam and other Christians such as Aglipayan, Baptists, Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) Seventh-day Adventist, other Evangelical Christians and Jehovah's Witnesses.

Indigenous groups

Moro peoples

The major Moro ethnic group is the Kagan tribe, an Islamized group related to the Tagacaolos, Mandaya, Mansaka, and Kalagan, since Davao del Sur was once part of Sultanate of Maguindanao.

Lumad peoples

Main article: Lumad peoples
A Lumad woman from Davao. Lumad peoples form the most largest indigenous ethnicity in the province.

Bagobos live in an area that extends from Davao del Sur and South Cotabato to the foot of Mt. Apo and Davao City all the way to the land bordered by the Davao and Pulangi rivers and up to northern Cotabato and southeast Bukidnon. Numbering about 80,000, their traditional costume is woven from abaca fiber and heavily ornamented with beads, shells, metal discs, embroidery and brightly colored geometric applique. Though Bagobos have the most stunning costumes among the Davao ethnic groups, they wear them only on special occasions. Like the Mandayas and Mansakas, they shave their eyebrows to a thin line and file and blacken their teeth. Bagobo smiths cast little bells which are attached to pouches, bracelets, jackets, anklets and inlaid metal boxes.

Tagacaolos number about 23,000 and occupy the area between the western shores of the gulf and the slopes of Mt. Apo. This is one of the tribes which resisted Muslim conversion and maintained a highland animistic culture.

Kalagans are part Islamized and part Chistianized that is also related to the Tagacaolos. Numbering only about 7,000, they live along the shores of the Davao Gulf.

Mangguangans are now only 3,000. They can be found in Davao del Sur and Davao del Norte.

In both groups, women generally wear handwoven abaca tube skirts, embroidered blue cotton tops and heavy jewellery. Men sport wide blue or white fringed and embroidered trousers and a loose shirt. Red is a color only for a headman ("bagani") and for women of high status.

Aeta people

Main article: Aeta people

Aeta people live in some areas of Davao City all the way to Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley and Bukidnon. They are related to the Manobos of Cotabato and include sub-groups such as the Talaingod of the Kapalong forests in Davao del Norte and the Matigsalug. Numbering about 222,000, Ata men wear long-sleeved shirts, carry spears, hunt, log and grow crops. Their womenfolk wear native blouses, "malong" skirts and accessories of brass bracelets and bead necklaces. Mandaya and Mansaka are culturally related groups who are highly musical - playing the five string bamboo guitar, two-string lute, violin, flute, gong, drum and bamboo Jew's harp. They are also excellent silversmiths crafting breastplates, jewellery, daggers and knives. The Mandayas are famous for their colorful abaca fiber weaves embroidered with tribal motifs.

Art and culture

The colorful artistic heritage of Davao stems from the rich culture of its tribes. For the Bagobos, aesthetics is the meticulous carving of weapons; the elaborate decoration of inlaid metal boxes with bells; and the ornamentation of their abaca fiber dress with embroidery, shells, beads and metal discs. The Mandayas, on the other hand, have a solid tradition in weaving. To produce their famed coarse textured cloth, abaca fiber is colored with earth dyes and woven on a backstrap loom.

The final product is embroidered with bright-colored threads in geometric patterns. Some elements of tribal folklore are also included in the designs. The Mansakas, together with the Mandayas, are also expert silversmiths. They craft weapons, breastplates and dress accessories. Much of its people are Christians. Davao is also a harmonious blend of Christian and Muslim cultures. However, its most stunning cultural aspect is definitely its ethnic art which encompasses music, dance, religious ritual, dress and ornamentation.

Government

Governor
Vice Governor
  • Aileen C. Almendras-Uy (NPC)
Districts

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Province: Davao del Sur". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Population and Annual Growth Rates for The Philippines and Its Regions, Provinces, and Highly Urbanized Cities" (PDF). 2010 Census and Housing Population. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  3. Cayon, Carina L. (30 October 2013). "DavSur voters approve of Davao Occidental". Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  4. "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  5. "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Davao del Sur, Philippines". Weatherbase. 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-15.

External links

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