 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Davao del Sur" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(August 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Davao del Sur | |
|---|---|
       (from top: left to right)Mount Apo summit,Davao City,Mount Apo, Pasig Islet in Santa Cruz,Rice field in Magsaysay,Port of Davao andDavao International Airport. | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Etymology:Davao del Sur (i.e., "Southern Davao") | |
 Location in the Philippines | |
OpenStreetMap  | |
| Coordinates:6°20′N125°30′E / 6.33°N 125.5°E /6.33; 125.5 | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Island Group | Mindanao |
| Region | Davao Region |
| Founded | May 8, 1967 |
| Capital | Digos |
| Largest city | Davao City |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Yvonne Roña-Cagas (Nacionalista) |
| • Vice Governor | Marc Douglas C. Cagas IV (Nacionalista) |
| • Representative | John Tracy F. Cagas (Nacionalista) |
| Area | |
• Total | 2,163.98 km2 (835.52 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 56th out of 81 |
| (excluding Davao City) | |
| Highest elevation | 2,954 m (9,692 ft) |
| Population (2024 census)[2] | |
• Total | 705,129 |
| • Rank | 44th out of 81 |
| • Density | 325.848/km2 (843.943/sq mi) |
| • Rank | 27th out of 81 |
| (excluding Davao City) | |
| Demonym(s) | South Davaoeño South Dabawenyo South Dabawnon |
| Divisions | |
| • Independent cities | 1
|
| • Component cities | |
| • Municipalities | |
| • Barangays |
|
| • Districts | |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PHT) |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)82 |
| ISO 3166 code | PH-DAS |
| Spoken languages | |
| Income classification | 1st class |
| Website | davaodelsur |
Davao del Sur (Cebuano:Habagatang Dabaw;Filipino:Katimugang Davao), officially theProvince of Davao del Sur (Cebuano:Lalawigan sa Habagatang Dabaw, Lalawigan sa Davao del Sur;Filipino:Lalawigan ng Katimugang Davao, Lalawigan ng Davao del Sur), is aprovince in thePhilippines located in theDavao Region inMindanao. Its capital isDigos.Davao City is the largest city in terms of area and population within the province's jurisdiction, yet it is administratively independent from the province; as such, Davao City is only grouped for geographical and statistical purposes and serves as the regional center ofDavao Region.
The province is bounded byDavao del Norte to the north,Davao Occidental to the south-east,Cotabato andSultan Kudarat to the west,South Cotabato andSarangani to the south-west, andDavao Gulf to the east.
AMaguindanaon Datu under the nameDatu Bago was rewarded the territory of the surroundings of Davao Gulf by theSultan ofMaguindanao Sultanate for joining thecampaign against the Spanish in the late 1700s. From his ancestral home inMaguindanao, he moved to the area in 1800 and, having convinced Bagobos and other native groups in the area to his side, conquered the entire Davao Gulf area.[3] Having consolidated his position, he founded the fortress ofPinagurasan in what is now the site of Bangkerohan Public Market in 1830 which served as his capital.[4] From being a fortification and base of operations from which Datu Bago could gather and rally his forces, the settlement of Pinagurasan eventually grew into a small city extending from present-day Generoso Bridge in Bangkerohan to Quezon Boulevard more than a kilometer down south,[3]: 172–176 as Maguindanaons and Bagobos alike among other nearby tribes in the area flocked into the settlement, eventually becoming the main trade entrepot in the Davao Gulf area.[5] With his immense overlordship of Davao Gulf, Datu Bago was eventually crowned Sultan by his subjects at his capital Pinagurasan in 1843, effectively making his realm virtually independent from theSultanate of Maguindanao and is now itself a Sultanate that lords over Davao Gulf, now in equal standing with the Mindanaon Muslim kingdoms ofMaguindanao andSulu.[4]
Beginnings of both Davao Region and Davao del Sur were associated with the foundation ofDavao, which was the first town to be founded in southern Mindanao in 1848, following the conquest of the area by José Uyanguren of theBasque province ofGipuzkoa, Spain (Guipúzcoa inSpanish). In 1849, Nueva Guipúzcoa province was founded in the region conquered by Uyanguren in what is nowDavao Region, with Davao, then calledNueva Vergara, as the provincial capital. Uyanguren became the provincial governor, but he failed in his efforts to develop Nueva Guipúzcoa.
Thirty-six years after the foundation of Davao, the town ofSanta Cruz was founded on October 5, 1884. It is the first town to be founded south of Davao and is now the oldest in the province.
TheSpanish administration in the Philippines ended in 1898 following the defeat of the Spaniards during theSpanish–American War. In the early 1900s, waves of immigrants from theVisayas,Luzon, and as well as from China and 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 thePadada Valley, the agricultural area south of the town ofSanta Cruz, which is known asDigos that time, lured many migrants, majority of whom came from the Visayas and Ilocos regions to settle permanently in the area. BeforeWorld War II, an enterprising American by the name of N.E. Crumb leased 10.24 square kilometres (3.95 sq mi) and transformed the place into anabaca plantation. This became the hub of economic activity in the locality during those days.
In 1942, during the start of theWorld War II in the Pacific, the first waves ofinvading Japanese units landed and entered the province of southern Davao.[further explanation needed]
In 1945, theliberation of southern Davao byUnited States andPhilippine Commonwealth troops was supported by Davaoeño guerrilla fighters.
In 1967,Davao Province was divided into three provinces, one of them being Davao del Sur; the town ofDigos was made its capital and would become a suburban city for the next 33 years.
For Davao del Sur and the island of Mindanao, things began to take a turn for the worse during the last months ofFerdinand Marcos' first presidential term. Marcos' debt-driven spending precipitated an economic crisis by 1969, which then led to social unrest, violent crackdowns on protests, and eventually to the radicalization of many students throughout the country.[6] In addition, news of the 1968Jabidah massacre ignited ethnic tensions which encouraged the formation of secessionist movements in Mindanao.[7]
The September 1972declaration ofMartial Law then began a 14-year period historically remembered forits human rights abuses,[8][9] often involving the warrantless detention, murder, and physical, sexual, or mental torture of political opponents, student activists, journalists, religious workers, farmers, and others who fought against the Marcos dictatorship.[10] Among the best known of these many victims wereMaria Socorro Par,[11] a Davao Del Sur resident who became a provincial coordinator of the activistStudent Christian Movement of the Philippines, who was killed by soldiers in 1985; andTrifonio Andres, a Xavier Seminary student who had volunteered to document human rights violations for Amnesty International and theTask Force Detainees of the Philippines, and was one of four prisoners executed at the Digos Metropolitan District Command (Metrodiscom) after being picked out of a group of 15 men soldiers had randomly picked up during a wedding ceremony he had attended.[12] Both Par and Andres would later be honored at the Philippines'Bantayog ng mga Bayani memorial, with each having fought the dictatorship in their own way.[11][12]
On October 28, 2013, along with the Barangay Elections, aplebiscite was held to create a new provinceDavao Occidental, formed out of the southern part of Davao del Sur, covering the municipalities of the 2nd district of the province, namelyDon Marcelino,Jose Abad Santos,Santa Maria,Sarangani andMalita (which was designated as the provincial capital) by virtue ofRepublic Act 10360 enacted on July 23, 2013, and the majority of votes cast were "Yes", ratifying the province.[13]
In 2015, theNational Competitiveness Council, ranked the province as the most competitive province in the country.
Davao del Sur covers a total area of 2,163.98 square kilometres (835.52 sq mi)[14] occupying the southwestern section of theDavao Region inMindanao. When Davao City is included for geographical purposes, the province's land area is 4,607.59 square kilometres (1,779.00 sq mi).[14] The province is bounded byDavao del Norte to the north;Davao Occidental to the south-east;Cotabato andSultan Kudarat to the west;South Cotabato andSarangani to the south-west; andDavao 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 2,954 metres (9,692 ft)above sea level.
Davao del Sur comprises 9municipalities and 1component city, all encompassed by alone legislative district.Davao City, although part of the province for geographical and statistical purposes, is governed independently from the province.
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) |
| Mean daily maximum °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) |
| Mean daily minimum °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[16] | |||||||||||||
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1903 | 21,378 | — |
| 1918 | 7,618 | −6.65% |
| 1939 | 33,808 | +7.35% |
| 1948 | 54,772 | +5.51% |
| 1960 | 223,125 | +12.42% |
| 1970 | 293,018 | +2.76% |
| 1975 | 323,981 | +2.03% |
| 1980 | 361,858 | +2.24% |
| 1990 | 423,369 | +1.58% |
| 1995 | 457,244 | +1.45% |
| 2000 | 504,289 | +2.12% |
| 2007 | 549,836 | +1.20% |
| 2010 | 574,910 | +1.64% |
| 2015 | 632,588 | +1.84% |
| 2020 | 680,481 | +1.55% |
| 2024 | 705,129 | +0.86% |
| (excluding Davao City; data prior to 2000 excludes municipalities underDavao Occidental that were part of the province until 2013) Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[15][17][17] | ||
The population of Davao del Sur in the 2020 census was 680,481 people, with a density of 310 inhabitants per square kilometre or 800 inhabitants per square mile.[2] When Davao City is included for geographical purposes, the province's population is 2,265,579 people, with a density of492/km2 (1,274/sq mi).
Davao del Sur is an ethnic mix ofVisayans (mostlyCebuanos),Chinese,Japanese, andKoreans with a number of indigenous ethnic groups scattered across the province. The Cebuano language, withDavaoeño as its regional variant, is the main language of the province, althoughFilipino andEnglish are also widely spoken and used in government functions and publications. Since the late 20th century, a linguistic phenomenon has developed in the Metro Davao area whereby locals have eithershifted to the 'national language' (Filipino) or significantly mix Filipino terms and grammar into their Cebuano speech.
Christianity in the form ofRoman Catholicism is the predominant religion in the province followed by more than 80% of the people.
The remaining faiths areIslam and other Christians such asAglipayan,Baptists,Iglesia ni Cristo,the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,Seventh-day Adventist, otherEvangelical Christians andJehovah's Witnesses.
The majorMoro ethnic group is theKagan tribe, an Islamized group related to the Tagacaolos,Mandaya,Mansaka, and Kalagan, since Davao del Sur was once part ofSultanate of Maguindanao. SomeMoro tribes that can be found in Davao del Sur areMaguindanaon,Maranao,Tausug andIranun.
TheBagobo people live in an area that extends from Davao del Sur and South Cotabato to the foot ofMount Apo and Davao City all the way to the land bordered by theDavao andPulangi rivers and up to northernCotabato and southeastBukidnon. Numbering about 80,000, their traditional costume is woven fromabaca 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.
TheTagacaolo people number about 23,000 and occupy the area between the western shores of the gulf and the slopes of Mount Apo. This is one of the tribes which resisted Muslim conversion and maintained a highland animistic culture.
TheKalagan people are part Islamized and part Chistianized and related to the Tagacaolos. Numbering only about 7,000, they live along the shores of Davao Gulf.
TheMangguangan people now number 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 live in some areas ofDavao City all the way toDavao del Norte,Davao de Oro andBukidnon. They are related to the Manobos of Cotabato and include sub-groups such as theTalaingod of theKapalong forests in Davao del Norte and theMatigsalug. 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 andMansaka 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. TheMandayas are famous for their colorful abaca fiber weaves embroidered with tribal motifs.
Poverty incidence of Davao del Sur
Source:Philippine Statistics Authority[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]
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.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
Media related toDavao del Sur at Wikimedia Commons
Geographic data related toDavao del Sur atOpenStreetMapPlaces adjacent to Davao del Sur | |
|---|---|
 Province ofDavao del Sur | |
|---|---|
| Municipalities | |
| Component City | |
| Highly urbanized city |
|
Articles related to Davao del Sur | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
