Davao del Norte

Davao del Norte
Province
(from top: left to right) Kaputian Island, Tagum City, Bigiw boats in Samal, Davao Gulf, Panabo City and Samal Island.
Flag Seal
Etymology: Davao del Norte (i.e., "Northern Davao")
Nickname:  "Banana Capital of the Philippines"
Location in the Philippines
OpenStreetMap
Coordinates: 7°21′N125°42′E / 7.35°N 125.7°E / 7.35; 125.7
Country	Philippines
Region	Davao Region
Founded	May 8, 1967
Capital and largest city	Tagum
Government
•  Governor	Edwin I. Jubahib (PFP)
•  Vice Governor	De Carlo L. Uy [a] (Independent)
•  Legislature	Davao del Norte Provincial Board
Area [2]
• Total	3,422.61 km2 (1,321.48 sq mi)
• Rank	39th out of 81
Highest elevation (Mount Masimalon)	1,115 m (3,658 ft)
Population  (2020 census) [3]
• Total	1,125,057
• Rank	25th out of 81
• Density	330/km2 (850/sq mi)
• Rank	24th out of 81
Demonym	Northern Davaoeño
Divisions
•  Independent cities	0
•  Component cities	3 Panabo Samal Tagum
•  Municipalities	8 Asuncion Braulio E. Dujali Carmen Kapalong New Corella San Isidro Santo Tomas Talaingod
•  Barangays	223
•  Districts	Legislative districts of Davao del Norte
Time zone	UTC+8 (PHT)
ZIP code	8100–8178
IDD  :  area code	+63 (0)84
ISO 3166 code	PH-DAV
Spoken languages	Cebuano Davaoeño Mansaka Filipino English
Income classification	1st class
Website	www.davaodelnorte.gov.ph

Davao del Norte (Cebuano : Amihanang Dabaw; Filipino : Hilagang Davao), officially the Province of Davao del Norte (Cebuano : Lalawigan sa Amihanang Dabaw, Lalawigan sa Davao del Norte; Filipino : Lalawigan ng Hilagang Davao, Lalawigan ng Davao del Norte), is a province in the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital and largest city is Tagum. The province also includes Samal Island to the south in Davao Gulf.

Before 1967, the five provinces—Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental—and Guipuzcoa were administered as a single province named Davao, a provincial district of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu. The present-day Davao Region is coterminous with this former province.

Davao del Norte is also known as "The Banana Capital of the Philippines."

History

Further information: Davao (province)

Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro (Compostela Valley) by R.A. 8470, January 30, 1998, together with Davao Oriental, and Davao Occidental from Davao del Sur by R.A. 10360, January 14, 2013, used to be a whole province simply known as Davao Region. This original province was split into three: Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur when Republic Act No. 4867 (authored by Representative Lorenzo S. Sarmiento, Sr.) was signed into law on May 8, 1967, by President Ferdinand Marcos. ^[4]

Davao del Norte originally comprised thirteen municipalities: Asuncion, Babak (now in Samal), Compostela, Kapalong, Mabini, Mawab, Monkayo, Nabunturan, Panabo, Pantukan, Samal, Santo Tomas and Tagum. On May 6, 1970, six more municipalities were created: Carmen, Kaputian (now in Samal), Maco, Montevista, New Bataan, and New Corella.

The passage of Republic Act No. 6430 on June 17, 1972, changed the name of the province from Davao del Norte to Davao. ^[5]

By 1996, Davao had a total of twenty-two municipalities with the creation of San Vicente (now Laak) in 1979, ^[6] Maragusan in 1988, ^{[7] [8]} and Talaingod in 1991. ^[9]

On January 31, 1998, President Fidel V. Ramos signed Republic Act No. 8470, which split the province into two, creating the province of Davao de Oro (Compostela Valley). ^[10] In the meantime, Davao was renamed back to Davao del Norte. Together with the creation of the new province, two cities and one municipality were created: the municipality of Tagum, capital of Davao del Norte, was converted into a city (R.A. 8472); ^[11] Samal, Babak, and Kaputian were joined into the city of Samal (R.A. 8471); ^[12] and the municipality of Braulio E. Dujali was created out of several barangays in Panabo and Carmen (R.A. 8473). ^[13] The province then had 8 municipalities and 2 cities.

Republic Act No. 9015, signed into law on March 5, 2001, by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, converted the municipality of Panabo into a city. ^[14] Republic Act No. 9265, approved on March 15, 2004, created the municipality of San Isidro from Asuncion and Kapalong. ^[15]

Geography

Davao del Norte covers a total area of 3,426.97 square kilometres (1,323.16 sq mi) ^[16] occupying the north-central section of the Davao Region. The province borders Agusan del Sur to the north, Bukidnon to the west, Davao de Oro to the east, and Davao City to the south.

Samal is the only municipality or city in the province not situated on Mindanao island. The city covers the entire Samal and Talikud Islands within Davao Gulf.

Administrative divisions

Davao del Norte comprises eight municipalities and three cities.

Political map of Davao del Norte

† Provincial capital and component city  ∗ Component city  Municipality City or municipality District [16] Population ±% p.a. Area [16] Density Barangay Coordinates [A] (2020) [3] (2015) [17] km2 sq mi /km2 /sq mi Asuncion 1st 5.5% 61,893 59,322 +0.81% 297.39 114.82 210 540 20 7°32′18″N125°45′12″E / 7.5384°N 125.7532°E / 7.5384; 125.7532 (Asuncion) Braulio E. Dujali 2nd 3.2% 35,729 30,104 +3.32% 91.00 35.14 390 1,000 5 7°26′54″N125°41′22″E / 7.4482°N 125.6894°E / 7.4482; 125.6894 (Braulio E. Dujali) Carmen 2nd 7.3% 82,018 74,679 +1.80% 166.00 64.09 49 130 20 7°21′20″N125°42′16″E / 7.3556°N 125.7045°E / 7.3556; 125.7045 (Carmen) Kapalong 1st 7.2% 81,068 76,334 +1.15% 830.01 320.47 98 250 14 7°35′07″N125°42′26″E / 7.5854°N 125.7071°E / 7.5854; 125.7071 (Kapalong) New Corella 1st 5.1% 57,913 54,844 +1.04% 263.12 101.59 220 570 20 7°35′12″N125°49′20″E / 7.5867°N 125.8222°E / 7.5867; 125.8222 (New Corella) Panabo ∗ 2nd 18.6% 209,230 184,599 +2.41% 251.23 97.00 830 2,100 40 7°18′01″N125°40′57″E / 7.3004°N 125.6826°E / 7.3004; 125.6826 (Panabo) Samal ∗ 2nd 10.4% 116,771 104,123 +2.21% 301.30 116.33 390 1,000 46 7°04′28″N125°42′31″E / 7.0744°N 125.7086°E / 7.0744; 125.7086 (Samal) San Isidro 1st 2.4% 27,233 26,651 +0.41% 152.49 58.88 180 470 13 7°44′18″N125°44′49″E / 7.7383°N 125.7469°E / 7.7383; 125.7469 (San Isidro) Santo Tomas 2nd 11.4% 128,667 118,750 +1.54% 221.80 85.64 580 1,500 19 7°31′43″N125°37′26″E / 7.5285°N 125.6238°E / 7.5285; 125.6238 (Santo Tomas) Tagum † 1st 26.3% 296,202 259,444 +2.55% 195.80 75.60 1,500 3,900 23 7°26′48″N125°48′34″E / 7.4468°N 125.8095°E / 7.4468; 125.8095 (Tagum) Talaingod 1st 2.5% 28,333 27,482 +0.58% 656.83 253.60 43 110 3 7°37′32″N125°37′07″E / 7.6256°N 125.6185°E / 7.6256; 125.6185 (Talaingod) Total 1,125,057 1,016,332 +1.95% 3,426.97 1,323.16 330 850 223 (see GeoGroup box) ^ Coordinates are sortable by latitude. (Italicized coordinates mark the generic location. Otherwise, they indicate the city/town center).

Demographics

Population census of Davao del Norte

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	9,554	—
1918	23,701	+6.24%
1939	60,349	+4.55%
1948	91,367	+4.72%
1960	262,889	+9.21%
1970	442,543	+5.34%
1975	589,697	+5.93%
1980	725,153	+4.22%
1990	1,056,301	+3.83%
1995	1,191,443	+2.28%
2000	743,811	−9.61%
2007	847,440	+1.82%
2010	945,764	+4.08%
2015	1,016,332	+1.38%
2020	1,125,057	+2.02%
data prior to 2000 excludes municipalities under Davao de Oro that were part of the province until 1998 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [17] [18] [18] [19]

Davao del Norte had a population of 1,125,057 in the 2020 census. ^[3] The population density was 297/km² (768/sq mi). The province's population consists of people of Visayan descent whose ancestors came from Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor, though many of the province's residents also descended from 20th century migrants from Ilocandia, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mindoro, Marinduque and Bicolandia in Luzon and Panay and Negros Occidental in Visayas. The main languages spoken are Cebuano and Davawenyo while English and Filipino are also widely spoken. Majority of the Davao del Norte residents are Roman Catholic Christians, but many of them adhere to the other Christian denominations such as Iglesia ni Cristo, Members Church of God International, Seventh Day Adventists, Pentecostal churches and Mormon Church. There is also a sizeable Muslim population in the province, many of whom are Kalagans, Maguindanaons and the migratory Maranaos with small but growing demographic of converts to Islam known as the o.

Indigenous groups

Talaingod is the home of many Indigenous groups in Davao del Norte, with most of them Lumads and Aetas.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Davao del Norte

10 20 30 40 2006 31.73 2009 31.96 2012 33.43 2015 31.02 2018 13.44 2021 7.30 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27]

Davao del Norte is a primarily agricultural, but also engages in mining, forestry, and commercial fishing.

The principal crops of the province include rice, maize, banana, coconut, abacá, ramie, coffee, and a variety of fruit and root crops. Davao del Norte is the country's leading producer of bananas, with many plantations run by multinationals Dole and Del Monte, and local producers such as Lapanday, TADECO, and Marsman. Davao del Norte is also one of Mindanao's leading producer of rice.

Davao Gulf, to the south of the province, provides a living for many fisherfolk. Some of the fish products include brackish water milkfish, tilapia , shrimp, and crab; and freshwater catfish and tilapia.

Davao del Norte is a major producer of gold, and its mining resources include silica, silver, copper, and elemental sulfur. Small-scale gold mining activities thrive in several areas. There are also numerous active quarries of commercial quantities of gravel, sand, and pebbles for construction.

Tourism is also a major part of the economy of Davao del Norte. There are a lot of beaches on Samal Island, the most famous of which is Pearl Farm Beach Resort. Banana Beach Resort is the most famous beach outside of Samal Island.

Commerce is also a major part of the economy of Davao del Norte. There are lot of shopping malls in Tagum.

Notable people

• Jerwin Ancajas - boxer
• Dennis Denora - journalist and publisher
• Thor Dulay - The Voice Ph semifinalist
• Jasmine Bacurnay Lee - Filipino-born naturalized Korean actress and politician
• Arrel Olaño - politician
• Jay Durias - singer
• Maris Racal - actress and runner-up of Pinoy Big Brother: All In
• Iwa Moto - actress, model and runner up of StarStruck (season 3)
• Edralyn P. Sonit - leaf musician, businessgirl
• Rey T. Uy, businessman, politician - then Mayor of Tagum 1998 -2001, 2004-2013 2022-present
• Allan L. Rellon - politician former mayor of Tagum 2013–2022
• Pantaleon Alvarez - politician, the current Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines and a Congressman from the First District of Davao del Norte
• Yesha Camile - child actress in ABS-CBN and host for Team Yey!
• Lie Reposposa - former housemate of Pinoy Big Brother: Otso

Notes

1. Uy as vice governor serves as an acting governor while Jubahib serves his 60-day preventative suspension effective April 11, 2024. ^[1]

References

1. Patumbon, Rojean Grace (April 11, 2024). "Vice Gov. Uy to temporarily replace Jubahib as DavNor guv". SunStar. SunStar Publishing. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
2. "List of Provinces". PSGC Interactive. Makati, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
3. Census of Population (2020). "Region XI (Davao Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved July 8, 2021.
4. "Republic Act No. 4867 - An Act Creating the Provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental". Republic Acts. Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
5. "Republic Act No. 6430 - An Act Changing the Name of the Province of Davao del Norte to Province of Davao". Republic Acts. Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
6. "Batas Pambansa Blg. 23; An Act Creating the Municipality of San Vicente in the Province of Davao del Norte". The Corpus Juris. April 4, 1979. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
7. "Presidential Decree No. 1247; Creating the Municipality of San Mariano in the Province of Davao". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Malacañang, Manila, Philippines. November 25, 1977. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
8. "Republic Act No. 6678; An Act Changing the Name of the Municipality of San Mariano in the First District of the Province of Davao del Norte to Municipality of Maragusan". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Congress of the Philippines. October 12, 1988. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
9. "Republic Act No. 7081; An Act Creating the Municipality of Talaingod in the Province of Davao". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. July 29, 1991. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
10. "Republic Act No. 8470 - An Act Creating the Province of Compostela Valley from the Province of Davao del Norte, and for Other Purposes". Republic Acts. Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
11. "Republic Act No. 8472 - An Act Converting the Municipality of Tagum, Davao Province, Into a Component City to be Known as the City of Tagum". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
12. "Republic Act No. 8471 - An Act Constituting the Three Municipalities of Babak, Samal and Kaputian of Samal Island, Province of Davao, Into a Component City to be Known as the Island Garden City of Samal". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
13. "Republic Act No. 8473 - An Act Creating the Municipality of Braulio E. Dujali in the Province of Davao, and for Other Purposes". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
14. "Republic Act No. 9015; An Act Converting the Municipality of Panabo, Province of Davao del Norte Into a Component City to be Known as the City of Panabo". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
15. "Republic Act No. 9265; An Act Creating the Municipality of San Isidro in the Province of Davao del Norte". The LawPhil Project. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
16. "Province: Davao del Norte". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved January 8, 2016.
17. Census of Population (2015). "Region XI (Davao Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved June 20, 2016.
18. 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.
19. "Philippines Census Of Population of all LGUs 1903-2007". archive.org. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
20. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
21. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
22. "2009 Official Poverty Statistics of the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. February 8, 2011.
23. "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.
24. "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.
25. "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.
26. "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.
27. "2021 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics of the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 15, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2024.

External links

• Media related to Davao del Norte at Wikimedia Commons
• Geographic data related to Davao del Norte at OpenStreetMap