Davao Oriental

Davao Oriental
Province
(from top: left to right) Pujada Bay in Mati, Mount Hamiguitan, Aliwagwag Falls in Cateel, Dahican Beach, Subangan Museum in Mati and Provincial Capitol Building in Mati.
Flag Seal
Etymology: Davao Oriental (i.e., "Eastern Davao")
Nickname(s):  Sunrise and Coconut Capital of the Philippines [1] [2]
Anthem: Banwa na Madayaw
Location in the Philippines
OpenStreetMap
Coordinates: 7°10′N126°20′E / 7.17°N 126.33°E / 7.17; 126.33
Country	Philippines
Region	Davao Region
Founded	May 8, 1967
Capital and largest city	Mati
Government
•  Governor	Niño Sotero L. Uy Jr. (Nacionalista)
•  Vice Governor	Nelson L. Dayanghirang Jr. (Lakas)
•  Legislature	Davao Oriental Provincial Board
Area [3]
• Total	5,679.64 km2 (2,192.92 sq mi)
• Rank	14th out of 81
Highest elevation (Mount Mayo)	1,728 m (5,669 ft)
Population  (2020 census) [4]
• Total	576,343
• Rank	54th out of 81
• Density	100/km2 (260/sq mi)
• Rank	70th out of 81
Demonym	Eastern Davaoeño
Divisions
•  Independent cities	0
•  Component cities	1 Mati
•  Municipalities	10 Baganga Banaybanay Boston Caraga Cateel Governor Generoso Lupon Manay San Isidro Tarragona
•  Barangays	183
•  Districts	Legislative districts of Davao Oriental
Time zone	UTC+8 (PHT)
ZIP code	8200–8210
IDD  :  area code	+63 (0)87
ISO 3166 code	PH-DAO
Spoken languages	Davawenyo Cebuano Kalagan Mandaya Kamayo Mansaka Filipino English
Income classification	1st class
Website	www.davaooriental.gov.ph

Davao Oriental (Cebuano : Sidlakang Dabaw; Filipino : Silangang Davao), officially the Province of Davao Oriental (Cebuano : Lalawigan sa Sidlakang Dabaw, Lalawigan sa Davao Oriental; Filipino : Lalawigan ng Silangang Davao, Lalawigan ng Davao Oriental), is a province in the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is the city of Mati which is the most populous, and it borders the province of Davao de Oro to the west, and Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur to the north. The province is the traditional homeland of the Mandaya and Kalagan/Kaagan.

Davao Oriental is the easternmost province in the country with Pusan Point in the municipality of Caraga as the easternmost location. The Philippine Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean, faces Davao Oriental to the east. Part of the province lies on an unnamed peninsula that encloses Davao Gulf to the west.

The province is the top producer of coconut and copra in the country, earning the province the title Coconut Capital of the Philippines. ^{[1] [2]} It is also home to Mount Hamiguitan Wildlife Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Etymology

The name of the province was derived from the word, Dabaw, of which the center was west of the province.

History

Early history

Further information: Sultanate of Maguindanao

The present territory of Davao Oriental was covered by the historical region of Caraga, which was under the Sultanate of Maguindanao.

Spanish colonial era

The Spaniards established a permanent settlement in the region in 1591, and in 1844, the area was ceded by the Sultanate to Spain. An expedition was sent by the colonial government in Manila in 1847 to control the region, led by the Spaniard Jose Oyanguren, who settled in the town of Davao and organized the surrounding areas into the province of Nueva Guipozcoa in 1849. The province existed until 1858, when the politico-military commandancias of Davao and Bislig were created in its place. Bislig was incorporated into the District of Davao two years later. ^[5]

American colonial era

Further information: Moro Province, Department of Mindanao and Sulu, and Davao (province)

Davao province in 1918 encompassing the current provinces of Davao Region

In 1903, the colonial American government created the Moro Province comprising several districts, one of which was Davao. The Moro province was converted in 1914 into the Department of Mindanao and Sulu, and its component districts were made into independent provinces. ^[5]

Japanese occupation

In 1942, the territory of what is now Davao Oriental was occupied by the Japanese Imperial forces.^{[ further explanation needed ]}

In 1945, the Battle of Davao began with the combined forces of the British, Australian, Dutch and the Filipino troops of the 6th, 101st, 102nd, 103rd, 104th, 106th, 107th and 110th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and 10th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary being supported by Davaoeño guerrilla fighter units in attacking Japanese Imperial forces during the liberation in Eastern Davao or Eastern Davao Campaign until the end of the Second World War.^{[ further explanation needed ]}

Philippine independence

Foundation

On May 8, 1967, through Republic Act No. 4867, the province of Davao was divided into three independent provinces, one of which was Davao Oriental. ^{[6] [5]}

Contemporary

The capital town of Mati became a component city by virtue of Republic Act No. 9408 which sought to convert the municipality into a city. The law was ratified on June 16, 2007. However, the cityhood status was lost twice in the years 2008 and 2010 after the LCP questioned the validity of the cityhood law. The cityhood status was reaffirmed after the court finalized its ruling on February 15, 2011 which declared the cityhood law constitutional.

Geography

Eastern coast showing Pujada Bay

Davao Oriental covers a total area of 5,679.64 square kilometres (2,192.92 sq mi) ^[7] occupying the eastern tip of the Davao Region in Mindanao. The province is bordered by Davao de Oro to the west, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur to the north, Davao Gulf to the southwest, and the Philippine Sea to the east and southeast.

The Eastern Pacific Cordillera mountain range encompasses the province. To the east of the range lie narrow strips of coastal areas, which feature several inlets and bays. ^{[8] [9]} The province encloses Davao Gulf to the southwest.

Climate

Davao Oriental has a pronounced rainy season and a short dry season, with maximum rainfall occurring from November to January especially at coastal areas. ^[5]

Climate data for Davao Oriental
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	30.5 (86.9)	31.0 (87.8)	32.0 (89.6)	32.8 (91.0)	32.2 (90.0)	31.8 (89.2)	31.3 (88.3)	31.5 (88.7)	31.8 (89.2)	32.3 (90.1)	31.8 (89.2)	31.3 (88.3)	31.7 (89.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	23.7 (74.7)	23.9 (75.0)	24.1 (75.4)	24.7 (76.5)	24.8 (76.6)	24.6 (76.3)	24.4 (75.9)	24.5 (76.1)	24.4 (75.9)	24.4 (75.9)	24.4 (75.9)	24.2 (75.6)	24.3 (75.8)
Average rainy days	15	11	13	11	15	17	15	14	13	15	15	13	167
Source: Storm247 [10]

Administrative divisions

Davao Oriental comprises 10 municipalities and 1 city, all organized into 2 legislative districts. There are 183 barangays in the province.

Political map of Davao Oriental

† Provincial capital and component city  Municipality City or municipality District Population ±% p.a. Area [7] Density Barangay Coordinates [A] (2020) [4] (2015) [11] km2 sq mi /km2 /sq mi Baganga 1st 10.2% 58,714 56,241 +0.82% 945.50 365.06 62 160 18 7°34′27″N126°33′40″E / 7.5741°N 126.5612°E / 7.5741; 126.5612 (Baganga) Banaybanay 2nd 7.7% 44,451 41,117 +1.50% 408.52 157.73 110 280 14 6°57′38″N126°00′26″E / 6.9605°N 126.0073°E / 6.9605; 126.0073 (Banaybanay) Boston 1st 2.5% 14,618 13,535 +1.48% 357.03 137.85 41 110 8 7°52′08″N126°22′24″E / 7.8689°N 126.3733°E / 7.8689; 126.3733 (Boston) Caraga 1st 6.9% 39,704 40,379 −0.32% 642.70 248.15 62 160 17 7°19′53″N126°33′52″E / 7.3314°N 126.5645°E / 7.3314; 126.5645 (Caraga) Cateel 1st 7.7% 44,207 40,704 +1.58% 545.56 210.64 81 210 16 7°47′23″N126°27′09″E / 7.7897°N 126.4525°E / 7.7897; 126.4525 (Cateel) Governor Generoso 2nd 10.4% 59,891 55,109 +1.60% 365.75 141.22 160 410 20 6°39′30″N126°04′47″E / 6.6584°N 126.0798°E / 6.6584; 126.0798 (Governor Generoso) Lupon 2nd 11.6% 66,979 65,785 +0.34% 886.39 342.24 76 200 21 6°54′10″N126°00′54″E / 6.9027°N 126.0150°E / 6.9027; 126.0150 (Lupon) Manay 1st 6.9% 39,572 42,690 −1.43% 418.36 161.53 95 250 17 7°12′50″N126°32′21″E / 7.2140°N 126.5393°E / 7.2140; 126.5393 (Manay) Mati † 2nd 25.6% 147,547 141,141 +0.85% 588.63 227.27 250 650 26 6°57′41″N126°12′53″E / 6.9614°N 126.2147°E / 6.9614; 126.2147 (Mati) San Isidro 2nd 5.8% 33,664 36,032 −1.29% 220.44 85.11 150 390 16 6°50′07″N126°05′22″E / 6.8352°N 126.0895°E / 6.8352; 126.0895 (San Isidro) Tarragona 1st 4.7% 26,996 26,225 +0.55% 300.76 116.12 90 230 10 7°02′58″N126°26′56″E / 7.0495°N 126.4490°E / 7.0495; 126.4490 (Tarragona) Total 576,343 558,958 +0.58% 5,679.64 2,192.92 100 260 183 (see GeoGroup box) ^ Coordinates mark the city/town center, and are sortable by latitude.

Demographics

Population census of Davao Oriental

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	25,971	—
1918	38,315	+2.63%
1939	60,744	+2.22%
1948	68,365	+1.32%
1960	132,593	+5.67%
1970	247,995	+6.45%
1975	299,426	+3.85%
1980	339,931	+2.57%
1990	394,697	+1.51%
1995	413,472	+0.87%
2000	446,191	+1.65%
2007	486,104	+1.19%
2010	517,618	+2.31%
2015	558,958	+1.47%
2020	576,343	+0.60%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [11] [12] [12]

The population of Davao Oriental in the 2020 census was 576,343 people, ^[4] with a density of 100 inhabitants per square kilometre or 260 inhabitants per square mile.

The province is mostly inhabited by Cebuanos, who settled the province in the early 20th century from Visayas. Other ethnic groups include the Mandayas, Mansakas, Manobos and the Kalagan. ^[5]

While the native languages spoken in the province are Kalagan, Mandaya, and Davaoeño. Cebuano is the dominant first language. Chavacano is spoken by a minority, while Tagalog and English are widely used in business, education, and government.

Even some of the natives adhere to Christian faith (mostly Catholics), they are syncretic^{[ clarification needed ]} in some of their beliefs. Muslim Kagans traditionally inhabited the plains and coastal areas of the Municipalities of Banaybanay, Lupon, San Isidro, Governor Generoso, Mati and Tarragona.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Davao Oriental

10 20 30 40 50 60 2006 50.50 2009 54.41 2012 45.79 2015 31.11 2018 37.66 2021 21.80 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]

Aliwagwag Protected Landscape

Davao Oriental is the top coconut and copra (dried coconut meat) producer in the Philippines. ^[1] It also is a major producer of abacá, and exports crude oil and copra pellets. ^[2]

On March 20, 2018, Davao Oriental signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pionaire Finance Limited, a Hong Kong-based foreign firm for a $27-billion industrial park. ^{[21] [22] [23] [24]}

References

1. Duallo, Neela (July 31, 2009). "1st Mindanao Coconut Summit takes centerstage in coco capital of RP". PIA Archive News Reader. Philippine Information Agency. Archived from the original on March 28, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2016. Being the number one coconut producer in the country, the province of Davao Oriental, the local government unit of Mati and the Mindanao Business Council has taken the initiative in addressing the today's plight of the coconut industry, initiate moves to save the industry, and help the coconut farmers so they can hold on, continue to cultivate their land, and bring back the glory of the product that has given both comfort and challenge to the economic lives of the people of the province.
2. "Davao Oriental Gov Malanyaon joins GMA in Spain". Mindanao News and Information Cooperative Center. Davao Oriental Information Office. November 30, 2007. Retrieved March 19, 2016. As the "coconut capital" of the Philippines, Davao Oriental produces one billion nuts annually covering a total crop area of 154,000 hectares. The major products exported by the province through the International Copra Exporter's Corporation are crude oil and copra pellets. Records show that export of 816,863 metric tons of crude oil and pellets from 1997 to 2001 is valued at $185.7 million. Davao Oriental is also the top producer of abaca fiber in Southern Mindanao. A total of 7,110 hectares is planted to abaca with production volume of 7,500 metric tons. The provincial government says that another 200,000 hectares is being targeted for the expansion of abaca production. Abaca plantations are located in the municipalities of Manay, Baganga, Cateel, Boston, Tarragona, Lupon, Banaybanay and in the City of Mati, the province's capital. Recently, the province started to plant banana for export particularly in the municipality of Lupon, San Isidro, Governor Generoso and Mati.
3. "List of Provinces". PSGC Interactive. Makati, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
4. Census of Population (2020). "Region XI (Davao Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved July 8, 2021.
5. Lancion, Conrado M. Jr. (1995). "The Provinces; Davao Oriental". Fast Facts about Philippine Provinces. cartography by de Guzman, Rey (The 2000 Millenium ed.). Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines: Tahanan Books. p. 70. ISBN   971-630-037-9 . Retrieved April 28, 2016.
6. "Republic Act No. 4867 - An Act Creating the Provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. May 8, 1967. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
7. "Province: Davao Oriental". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved January 8, 2016.
8. Wernstedt, Frederick L.; Spencer, Joseph Earl (1978). The Philippine Island World: A Physical, Cultural, and Regional Geography. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp.  32-37. ISBN   9780520035133 . Retrieved January 27, 2016.
9. Hinz, Erhard (1985). Human Helminthiases in the Philippines the Epidemiological and Geomedical Situation. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. pp. 129–131. ISBN   9783642708411 . Retrieved January 27, 2016.
10. "Weather forecast for Davao Oriental, Philippines". Storm247.com. Bergen, NO: StormGeo AS. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
11. Census of Population (2015). "Region XI (Davao Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved June 20, 2016.
12. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region XI (Davao Region)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office . Retrieved June 29, 2016.
13. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
14. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
15. "2009 Official Poverty Statistics of the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. February 8, 2011.
16. "Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population, by Region and Province: 1991, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. August 27, 2016.
17. "Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population, by Region and Province: 1991, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. August 27, 2016.
18. "Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population, by Region and Province: 1991, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. August 27, 2016.
19. "Updated Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population with Measures of Precision, by Region and Province: 2015 and 2018". Philippine Statistics Authority. June 4, 2020.
20. "2021 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics of the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 15, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
21. Davao Oriental, Pionaire sign MOU for $27-B industrial park https://www.rappler.com/business/198568-davao-oriental-mou-industrial-park-pionaire
22. Residents to benefit from US$27-billion industrial park in Davao - Guv http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1006034
23. Industrial Park to rise in Davao Oriental http://davaotoday.com/main/economy/industrial-park-to-rise-in-davao-oriental/
24. GOV, PARTNERS LEAD HISTORIC GROUNDBREAKING OF DAVAO ORIENTAL INDUSTRIAL PARK http://news.davaooriental.com.ph/index.php/gov-partners-lead-historic-groundbreaking-of-davao-oriental-industrial-park/

External links

• Media related to Davao Oriental at Wikimedia Commons
• Geographic data related to Davao Oriental at OpenStreetMap
• Davao Oriental wants Hamiguitan declared as world heritage site
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• News from Davao Oriental
• Davao Oriental Eco Industrial Park Archived June 21, 2021, at the Wayback Machine