DAVAO REGION OR SOUTHERN MINDANAO, designated as Region XI, is one of the regions of the Philippines, located on the southeastern portion of Mindanao. Davao Region consists of five provinces, namely: Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental. The region encloses the Davao Gulf and its regional center is Davao City. The region has a generally uniform distribution of rainfall through the year. It lies outside the typhoon belt. Aside from its forestland and fertile fields, the region is famous for its rich mineral resources. Reserves of gold, copper, manganese and nickel are found in this part of the country. The Diwalwal area in Davao de Oro has attracted thousands of small scale miners as well as commercial explorers. Five of the major fishing grounds of the Philippines are located in the region.
Region 11 is a melting pot of many cultural groups. Cebuanos, Boholanos, and Ilonggos are the majority groups. Others include Maguindanaos, Maranaos, Manobos, T'bolis, Bagobos, B'laans, Samals, and Agtas. Smaller communities of Ilocanos, Tagalogs, Warays, and Bicolanos are also found.
While the region's economy is predominantly agri-based, it is now developing into a center for agro-industrial business, trade and tourism.
Tourism is fast becoming an important source of employment. It has many resorts and other eco-tourism sites that are a must for travellers.
Agriculture is the main economic activity in the region and Banana is the primary agricultural product produced in many banana plantations. In 2007, the region produced a total of 3.1 metric tons - the highest among the regions. Other farm products include rice, corn, coconut, pineapple, sugarcane, and durian. The region is also a well-known center of the cut flower industry especially in orchid growing. Fishing and raising of poultry, hog, and cattle are some alternative sources of income.
Manufacturing in the region is concentrated mostly around Davao City, the largest city in the Philippines outside Metro Manila. Industrial products from the region include construction materials, processed food, and furniture.
The region can be a vital link to markets in other parts of Mindanao, Brunei Darussalam and parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. There is also a small but growing call center sector.
The Regional Nutrition Committee of Davao Region, Chaired by Director Anabelle P. Yumang of Department of Health XI has been very proactive in the region's development in terms of social, economic, environment and even political aspect. The programs and project implemented by the national agencies focused its target to high risk areas in terms of health and malnutrition. The region has diverse culture as it constitute different ethnic groups with distinct culture. Amidst cultural diversity that challenges the need to provide basic services especially to indigent groups, the region's nutrition situation is improving every year. It was noted that, there was a drastic reduction of malnutrition over a period of 3 years from 10.08% in 2008 to 8.67% in 2009 to 6.69% in 2010 for preschool children. The nutrition improvement can be attributed to the zealous efforts of the local government units and national agencies in addressing different factors in terms of generation of employment opportunities, production and distribution of agri-eco resources, provision of minimum basic services especially to at risk groups in different areas and committed members of the local nutrition committees in pursuing its goal of a nutritionally, healthy and economically develop Davaoeños.
Total Land Area: 19,671.83 sq.km.
Total Population as of Aug. 1, 2007: 4,156,653
Capital: Davao City
POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS:
No. of Congressional Districts: 11
No. of Provinces: 5
No. of Cities: 6
No. of Municipalities: 43
No. of Highly Urbanized City: 1
No. of Barangays: 1,162
SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE:
- 18 Ethnic groups are in the region with Mandaya, B’laan and T’boli as the largest groups.
- Cebuano, Ilonggo, Ilokano and Tagalog are the common dialects beside those spoken by the tribal communities.
- Principal products are rice, corn, coffee, fish, timber, root crops, livestock and poultry, fruits and vegetables.
- Mineral resources include copper, nickel, chromite, gold and marble.
- Tourist attractions include Mt. Apo, Philippine Eagle Nature Center, Orchid Farms, fruit plantation and many more.
**Credits to Department of the Interior and Local Goverment Davao Region for the Map Image.
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS UNDER REGION XI
| LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS | NUMBER OF BARANGAYS | POPULATION (as of August 1,2007) | INCOME CLASSIFICATION |
| Davao City | 182 | 1,363,337 | First Class-Highly Urbanized |
| Davao de Oro Province | 237 | 297,595 | First Class |
| 1. Compostela | 18 | 69, 849 | First Class |
| 2. Laak | 40 | 66,607 | First Class |
| 3. Mabini | 11 | 35,308 | Second Class |
| 4. Maco | 37 | 70,906 | First Class |
| 5. Maragusan | 24 | 51,547 | First Class |
| 6. Mawab | 11 | 34,656 | Third Class |
| 7. Monkayo | 21 | 90,971 | First Class |
| 8. Montevista | 20 | 35,192 | Third Class |
| 9. Nabunturan | 28 | 67,365 | Second Class |
| 10. New Bataan | 14 | 45,309 | First Class |
| 11. Pantukan | 13 | 69,656 | First Class |
| Davao del Norte Province | 223 | 425,846 | First Class |
| 1. Asuncion | 20 | 50,731 | First Class |
| 2. B.E. Dujali | 5 | 24,886 | Fourth Class |
| 3. Carmen | 20 | 61,656 | First Class |
| 4. Kapalong | 14 | 61,763 | First Class |
| 5. New Corella | 20 | 46,311 | Second Class |
| 6. San Isidro | 13 | 24, 696 | Newly Created |
| 7. Sto. Tomas | 19 | 97,210 | First Class |
| 8. Talaingod | 3 | 19,600 | Second Class |
|
(Component) |
46 | 90,291 | Fourth Class |
| Panabo City(Component) | 40 | 154,329 | Third Class |
| Tagum City (Capital) | 23 | 215, 967 | First Class |
| Davao Oriental Province | 183 | 234,576 | First Class |
| 1. Baganga | 18 | 48,355 | First Class |
| 2. Banaybanay | 14 | 35,693 | Second Class |
| 3. Boston | 8 | 11,176 | Third Class |
| 4. Caraga | 17 | 34,278 | First Class |
| 5. Cateel | 16 | 33,109 | Second Class |
| 6. Governor Generoso | 20 | 46,745 | Second Class |
| 7. Lupon | 21 | 60,133 | First Class |
| 8. Manay | 17 | 38,067 | Second Class |
| 9. San Isidro | 16 | 32,139 | Fourth Class |
| 10. Tarragona | 10 | 24,363 | Third Class |
| Mati City (Capital) | 26 | 122,046 | First Class |
| Davao del Sur Province | 232 | 904, 188 | First Class |
| 1. Bansalan | 25 | 54,246 | First Class |
| 2. Hagonoy | 21 | 46,648 | Third Class |
| 3. Kiblawan | 30 | 43,054 | Second Class |
| 4. Magsaysay | 22 | 45,005 | Third Class |
| 5. Malalag | 15 | 35,241 | Second Class |
| 6. Matanao | 33 | 49,806 | Second Class |
| 7. Padada | 17 | 25,127 | Third Class |
| 8. Sta. Cruz | 18 | 76,113 | First Class |
| 9. Sulop | 25 | 29,082 | Third Class |
| Digos City (Capital) | 26 | 145,514 | Second Class |
| Davao Occidental Province | 105 | 272, 570 | Fourth Class |
| 1. Don Marcelino | 15 | 35, 166 | Third Class |
| 2. Jose Abad Santos | 26 | 62, 513 | First Class |
| 3. Sta. Maria | 22 | 48, 362 | Second Class |
| 4. Sarangani | 12 | 20, 394 | Fourth Class |
| 5. Malita (Capital) | 30 | 106, 135 | First Class |
