Davao del Sur

Davao del Sur is a province in the Davao Region of Mindanao, Philippines. Its provincial capital is Digos. The province occupies the southwestern part of the Davao Region and faces Davao Gulf to the east. It borders Davao del Norte to the north, Davao Occidental to the southeast, Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat to the west, and South Cotabato and Sarangani to the southwest. Davao City is geographically and statistically associated with the province and the wider Davao Region, but it is an administratively independent highly urbanized city rather than part of the provincial government. The province’s history reflects the interaction of Indigenous communities, Muslim polities, Spanish colonial administration, migration, agricultural development, wartime occupation, and postwar political reorganization. Before Spanish rule, much of the Davao Gulf area was associated with Maguindanao influence and with leaders such as Datu Bago. Spanish expansion in the nineteenth century followed the foundation of Davao in 1848 and the creation of Nueva Guipúzcoa in 1849. Santa Cruz, founded in 1884, became the oldest town in the present province. During the American period, migration from the Visayas, Luzon, China, and Japan contributed to the growth of agriculture and commerce. The Padada Valley, including the area around Digos, became an important agricultural zone, with abaca among its historic crops. The province was affected by the Japanese occupation during the Second World War and was liberated in 1945 by United States and Philippine Commonwealth forces assisted by local guerrillas. In 1967, the former Davao Province was divided into Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur, with Digos designated as the new province’s capital. Digos later became a component city in 2000. In 2013, a plebiscite approved the creation of Davao Occidental from municipalities formerly belonging to the southern part of Davao del Sur, substantially changing the province’s boundaries and administrative composition. Davao del Sur covers approximately 2,163.98 square kilometres and consists of one component city and nine municipalities within a single legislative district. Its terrain includes coastal areas, islands, agricultural plains, valleys, forested zones, hills, and mountains. Mount Apo, the Philippines’ highest peak, lies on the boundary area associated with Davao del Sur and neighboring provinces. The province generally has a relatively mild tropical climate and is less frequently affected by typhoons than many areas farther north. Agriculture remains central to the provincial economy and landscape. The area is associated with crops and rural production supported by the Padada Valley and other fertile plains, while coastal resources, trade, services, and public administration contribute to the broader economy. Davao del Sur was ranked the Philippines’ most competitive province by the National Competitiveness Council in 2015, according to the reference material. The population is ethnically and culturally diverse. Cebuano is the principal local language, while Filipino and English are widely used in public administration and education. Christian communities, particularly Roman Catholics, form the majority, alongside Muslim communities and other Christian denominations. Indigenous and ethnolinguistic groups associated with the province and surrounding areas include Bagobo, Tagacaolo, Kalagan, Mangguangan, Mandaya, Mansaka, and Aeta peoples. Their traditions include abaca weaving, metalwork, beadwork, music, dance, ritual, and distinctive forms of clothing and ornamentation. The province’s public identity therefore combines agricultural development, coastal and mountain geography, multicultural heritage, and the administrative role of Digos as its capital.

The Davao Gulf area, including territory later associated with Davao del Sur, was shaped before colonial rule by Indigenous societies and Muslim political networks connected to the Sultanate of Maguindanao. Datu Bago expanded his influence around the gulf in the early nineteenth century and established Pinagurasan as a fortified settlement and political center. The area subsequently entered Spanish colonial history through the foundation of Davao in 1848 by José Uyanguren and the establishment of Nueva Guipúzcoa in 1849. Santa Cruz was founded on October 5, 1884, and is regarded as the oldest town in the present province. After Spain’s defeat in 1898, the American period brought new migration and commercial development. Settlers from the Visayas and Luzon, together with Chinese and Japanese communities, contributed to the expansion of agriculture and trade. Digos and the surrounding Padada Valley attracted migrants because of their agricultural potential. An abaca plantation established before the Second World War helped make Digos an economic center in southern Davao. Japanese forces entered southern Davao in 1942. The area was later liberated in 1945 by United States and Philippine Commonwealth troops with assistance from local guerrillas. Postwar political development eventually led to the partition of the former Davao Province in 1967. Davao del Sur was created as one of three successor provinces, and Digos became its capital. The province and wider Mindanao region experienced political tension and human-rights abuses during the Marcos dictatorship. Martial law, social unrest, armed conflict, and the growth of secessionist and other resistance movements affected local communities. Reference material identifies Davao del Sur residents Maria Socorro Par and Trifonio Andres among those later honored at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani memorial for their opposition to the dictatorship and documentation of abuses. In 2000, Digos became a component city. In 2013, Republic Act 10360 and a subsequent plebiscite created Davao Occidental from five municipalities formerly belonging to Davao del Sur’s second district: Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Santa Maria, Sarangani, and Malita. This reduced Davao del Sur to its present core territory. The province is now composed of one component city and nine municipalities. Its economy remains strongly connected to agriculture, while its identity also draws on Indigenous arts, coastal geography, Mount Apo landscapes, and the administrative and commercial role of Digos.

• 2015

  Competitiveness recognition

  [1]Davao del Suren.wikipedia.org

  The National Competitiveness Council ranked Davao del Sur as the Philippines’ most competitive province.

• 2013

  Creation of Davao Occidental

  [1]Davao del Suren.wikipedia.org

  A plebiscite approved the separation of five southern municipalities to form Davao Occidental under Republic Act 10360.

• 2000

  Digos becomes a city

  [2]Digosen.wikipedia.org

  Digos was converted from a municipality into a component city and remained the provincial capital.

• 1967

  Province established

  [1]Davao del Suren.wikipedia.org

  The former Davao Province was divided into three provinces, including Davao del Sur, with Digos as capital.

• 1945

  Liberation of southern Davao

  [1]Davao del Suren.wikipedia.org

  United States and Philippine Commonwealth troops, supported by local guerrillas, liberated the area.

• 1942

  Japanese occupation begins

  [1]Davao del Suren.wikipedia.org

  Japanese forces entered southern Davao during the Pacific War.

• 1884

  Foundation of Santa Cruz

  [1]Davao del Suren.wikipedia.org

  Santa Cruz was founded on October 5 and became the oldest town in the present province.

• 1849

  Creation of Nueva Guipúzcoa

  [1]Davao del Suren.wikipedia.org

  Nueva Guipúzcoa was established in the territory conquered by José Uyanguren, with Davao as its capital.

• 1848

  Foundation of Davao

  [1]Davao del Suren.wikipedia.org

  Davao was founded during Spanish expansion in southern Mindanao, establishing an important colonial center in the area later associated with the Davao Region.

A culturally diverse, agriculturally important Philippine province combining coastal, valley, forest, and mountain environments with Digos as its administrative center.

• Agricultural and craft products

  Abaca fiber and textiles

  Abaca has historic economic and cultural importance in Davao del Sur. The fiber has been used in agricultural production and in Indigenous textile traditions. Local weaving practices, particularly those associated with Bagobo, Mandaya, and related communities, use natural fibers, dyes, embroidery, beads, and geometric designs to produce clothing and ceremonial or decorative materials.

• Agriculture

  Agricultural produce

  The Padada Valley and other plains support the province’s agricultural economy. The reference material identifies the area broadly as an important food-producing zone, although it does not provide a complete current crop inventory or production figures. Agriculture also shaped settlement patterns, migration, and the growth of Digos as a local commercial center.

• Cultural and artisanal products

  Indigenous crafts

  Traditional products associated with communities in and around Davao del Sur include abaca garments, beadwork, shell and metal ornamentation, woven textiles, silverwork, weapons, musical instruments, and decorated accessories. These products are expressions of cultural heritage rather than a single standardized commercial brand line.

• 2013

  Administrative separation of Davao OccidentalStrategy

  Background

  The southern municipalities of Davao del Sur were proposed for separation as a new province to improve local administration and political representation.

  Action taken

  Republic Act 10360 created Davao Occidental, and a plebiscite held on October 28, 2013, approved the new province. Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Santa Maria, Sarangani, and Malita were transferred from Davao del Sur.

  Aftermath

  Davao del Sur’s territory and administrative structure were reduced to its present core area, while Malita became the capital of Davao Occidental.

  Source

1. 1Davao del Suren.wikipedia.org
2. 2Digosen.wikipedia.org
3. 3Official website of the Provincial Government of Davao del Surdavaosur.gov.ph