Mindanao: Region XI: Davao Region (Southern Mindanao): Davao Occidental

Province of Davao Occidental:

Philippine Standard Geographical Code # 118600000

Davao Occidental is the 81st province of the Philippines and was carved out of the southwestern part of Davao del Sur. Established on October 28, 2013, by virtue of Republic Act No. 10360, it comprises five municipalities: its provincial capital, Malita, Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Santa Maria, and Sarangani.

The creation of Davao Occidental aimed at enhancing administrative governance, speeding up social and economic development, and providing better service delivery to the local populace. This region boasts an idyllic landscape with a mix of coastal areas and highland territories, offering both agricultural and marine resources abundantly.

Davao Occidental is geographically significant; it faces the Celebes Sea to the South, which is part of the Coral Triangle, an area known for its extraordinary marine biodiversity. The province offers a range of activities for eco-tourism enthusiasts, such as diving, snorkeling, and hiking. Its untouched coral reefs and diverse marine life make it an ideal spot for conservation efforts and sustainable tourism ventures.

The province’s economy primarily revolves around agriculture, with coconut, banana, and corn as the leading products. Fishing also plays a substantial role, with the Celebes Sea providing an abundant source of fish and other seafood. Despite its rich natural resources, Davao Occidental is determined to balance economic progress with environmental preservation.

Culturally, Davao Occidental is a melting pot, with various indigenous communities, such as the B’laan and the Manobo, as well as Christians and Muslims living together. The province celebrates the “Kasadya sa Sarangani Bay Festival,” a vibrant event marked by street dancing, cultural presentations, and sports activities, reflecting the rich heritage and local traditions.

The challenge for Davao Occidental lies in its relative infancy as a province, with the need for infrastructure development, healthcare improvements, and enhanced educational facilities. Given its strategic location, the local government envisions transforming it into a gateway for trade and tourism in the region.

Davao Occidental offers a glimpse of the Philippines’ untouched beauty and potential for growth. With prudent management and sustainable practices, it stands on the brink of becoming a significant player in regional development and a beacon of eco-tourism in Mindanao.

Davao Occidental is a coastal province, is composed of:

Municipalities:	Barangay (of which are Island Barangays):
5	105 (12)

Map of Davao Occidental:

By HueMan1 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79244045

Municipalities:

Don Marcelino: Municipality

Philippine Standard Geographical Code # 118601000

2020 Population: 45,540

PSGC #	Bry #	Barangay Name:	Rural/Urban:	Pop. (2020):	Pop. (2015):	Hectares sq:	Coastal/Inland:
118601007		Baluntaya	Rural	2,416	2,450		Inland
118601001		Calian	Rural	3,709	3,854		Coastal
118601008		Dalupan	Rural	3,479	3,479		Inland
118601009		Kinanga	Rural	4,012	3,860		Coastal
118601002		Kiobog	Rural	2,015	2,276		Coastal
118601003		Lamidan North	Rural	2,036	2,041		Coastal
118601014		Lamidan South	Rural	1,654	1,700		Coastal
118601015		Lamidan West	Rural	2,984	2,846		Inland
118601010		Lanao	Rural	1,135	1,044		Coastal
118601011		Lapuan	Rural	5,061	4,944		Inland
118601004		Lawa (Pob.)	Rural	4,041	3,269		Población-Coastal
118601012		Linadasan	Rural	1,836	1,751		Coastal
118601013		Mabuhay	Rural	2,138	2,093		Inland
118601005		Nueva Villa	Rural	2,079	2,049		Inland
118601006		Talagutong (Pob.)	Urban	6,945	6,898		Población-Coastal
				Pop. (2020):	Pop. (2015):
				45,540	44,554

Overview of the Municipality of Don Marcelino and its barangays.

Jose Abad Santos (Trinidad): Municipality

Philippine Standard Geographical Code # 118602000

2020 Population: 73,381

PSGC #	Bry #	Barangay Name:	Rural/Urban:	Pop. (2020):	Pop. (2015):	Hectares sq:	Coastal/Inland:
118602002		Balangonan	Rural	3,085	3,075		Coastal
118602001		Buguis	Rural	1,313	1,601		Coastal
118602006		Bukid	Rural	2,822	2,801		Inland
118602007		Butuan	Rural	2,172	2,060		Coastal
118602008		Butulan	Rural	2,891	2,840		Coastal
118602009		Caburan Big	Rural	4,827	5,280		Coastal
118602010		Caburan Small (Pob.)	Urban	7,017	6,734		Población-Coastal
118602011		Camalian	Rural	1,769	1,754		Coastal
118602012		Carahayan	Rural	2,448	1,986		Coastal
118602013		Cayaponga	Rural	1,882	2,078		Coastal
118602014		Culaman	Rural	3,265	3,805		Coastal
118602015		Kalbay	Rural	4,302	4,380		Coastal
118602016		Kitayo	Rural	1,122	1,192		Inland
118602019		Magulibas	Rural	2,714	2,457		Coastal
118602020		Malalan	Rural	2,374	2,440		Coastal
118602021		Mangile	Rural	3,249	3,260		Coastal
118602022		Marabutuan	Rural	4,292	4,586		Coastal
118602023		Meybio	Rural	2,284	2,223		Coastal
118602024		Molmol	Rural	2,258	2,418		Inland
118602025		Nuing	Rural	3,089	3,260		Coastal
118602026		Patulang	Rural	1,542	1,854		Coastal
118602027		Quiapo	Rural	1,886	2,112		Inland
118602028		San Isidro	Rural	2,195	2,914		Inland
118602033		Sugal	Rural	2,944	3,392		Coastal
118602034		Tabayon	Rural	3,394	3,267		Coastal
118602035		Tanuman	Rural	2,245	2,563		Coastal
				Pop. (2020):	Pop. (2015):
				73,381	76,332

Overview of the Municipality of Jose Abad Santos (Trinidad) and its barangays.

Malita: Municipality and Capitol of Davao Occidental

Philippine Standard Geographical Code # 118603000

2020 Population: 118,197

PSGC #	Bry #	Barangay Name:	Rural/Urban:	Pop. (2020):	Pop. (2015):	Hectares sq:	Coastal/Inland:
118603001		Bito	Rural	1,886	1,864		Inland
118603002		Bolila	Rural	1,970	2,076		Inland
118603003		Buhangin	Rural	4,637	4,194		Inland
118603004		Culaman	Rural	1,982	1,781		Coastal
118603005		Datu Danwata	Urban	5,993	6,386		Inland
118603006		Demoloc	Urban	6,156	7,239		Inland
118603007		Felis	Rural	2,889	2,702		Inland
118603008		Fishing Village (Fisherman’s Village)	Rural	3,611	3,656		Coastal
118603010		Kibalatong	Rural	1,273	1,296		Coastal
118603011		Kidalapong	Rural	2,512	2,156		Inland
118603012		Kilalag	Rural	3,297	2,997		Inland
118603013		Kinangan	Rural	2,897	3,941		Inland
118603016		Lacaron	Urban	4,179	3,038		Inland
118603017		Lagumit	Rural	5,516	4,528		Inland
118603018		Lais	Rural	1,980	1,781		Inland
118603022		Little Baguio	Urban	12,201	11,317		Inland
118603023		Macol	Rural	1,381	1,817		Inland
118603024		Mana	Rural	4,221	4,201		Coastal
118603025		Manuel Peralta	Rural	2,646	3,038		Inland
118603027		New Argao	Rural	1,659	1,611		Coastal
118603041		Pangaleon	Rural	2,259	2,286		Inland
118603030		Pangian	Rural	3,650	4,142		Coastal
118603031		Pinalpalan	Rural	4,287	4,686		Inland
118603032		Población	Urban	19,079	17,787		Población-Coastal
118603033		Sangay	Rural	3,334	3,745		Inland
118603036		Talogoy	Rural	2,433	3,003		Inland
118603037		Tical	Rural	1,086	1,230		Inland
118603038		Ticulon	Rural	2,597	2,835		Inland
118603039		Tingolo	Rural	2,124	2,090		Coastal
118603040		Tubalan	Rural	4,462	4,323		Coastal
				Pop. (2020):	Pop. (2015):
				118,197	117,746

Overview of the Municipality of Malita and Capitol of Davao Occidental and its barangays.

Santa Maria: Municipality

Philippine Standard Geographical Code # 118604000

2020 Population: 57,526

PSGC #	Bry #	Barangay Name:	Rural/Urban:	Pop. (2020):	Pop. (2015):	Hectares sq:	Coastal/Inland:
118604001		Basiawan	Urban	7,604	7,465		Coastal
118604002		Buca	Rural	2,422	2,985		Inland
118604003		Cadaatan	Rural	1,947	1,804		Inland
118604021		Datu Daligasao	Rural	841	883		Inland
118604022		Datu Intan	Rural	1,539	1,253		Inland
118604004		Kidadan	Rural	1,084	1,441		Inland
118604023		Kinilidan	Rural	1,233	826		Inland
118604005		Kisulad	Rural	1,317	1,295		Coastal
118604006		Malalag Tubig	Rural	980	1,009		Inland
118604007		Mamacao	Rural	3,011	2,899		Coastal
118604008		Ogpao	Rural	1,190	1,144		Coastal
118604009		Población	Urban	10,120	8,108		Población-Inland
118604010		Pongpong	Rural	2,168	2,515		Inland
118604011		San Agustin	Rural	5,222	4,721		Coastal
118604012		San Antonio	Rural	2,478	2,354		Inland
118604013		San Isidro	Rural	2,955	2,576		Inland
118604014		San Juan	Rural	1,522	1,587		Inland
118604015		San Pedro	Rural	2,058	1,658		Inland
118604016		San Roque	Rural	1,658	1,489		Inland
118604019		Santo Niño	Rural	1,603	1,714		Inland
118604020		Santo Rosario	Rural	1,466	1,239		Coastal
118604018		Tanglad	Rural	3,108	2,706		Coastal
				Pop. (2020):	Pop. (2015):
				57,526	53,671

Overview of the Municipality of Santa Maria and its barangays.

Sarangani (Sarangani & Balut Islands): Municipality

Philippine Standard Geographical Code # 118605000

2020 Population: 22,515

PSGC #	Bry #	Barangay Name:	Rural/Urban:	Pop. (2020):	Pop. (2015):	Hectares sq:	Coastal/Inland:	Island:
118605001		Batuganding	Rural	2,209	2,200		Coastal	Balut Island
118605008		Camahual	Rural	1,205	1,262		Coastal	Sarangani Island
118605009		Camalig	Rural	1,160	1,166		Coastal	Sarangani Island
118605010		Gomtago	Rural	895	797		Coastal	Balut Island
118605002		Konel	Rural	2,142	2,140		Coastal	Balut Island
118605003		Lipol	Rural	1,625	2,173		Coastal	Balut Island
118605004		Mabila (Pob.)	Urban	5,253	5,147		Población-Coastal	Balut Island
118605005		Sarangani Norte (Patuco)	Rural	2,781	2,942		Coastal	Sarangani Island
118605006		Sarangani Sur (Laker)	Rural	1,524	1,797		Coastal	Sarangani Island
118605011		Tagen	Rural	1,397	1,563		Coastal	Balut Island
118605007		Tinina	Rural	1,439	1,861		Coastal	Balut Island
118605012		Tucal	Rural	885	991		Coastal	Balut Island
				Pop. (2020):	Pop. (2015):
				22,515	24,039

Overview of the Municipality of Sarangani (Sarangani & Balut Islands) and its barangays.