Basic Information
An Overview
The Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), a coastal paradise group of islands strategically situated at the heart of Davao Gulf in the Southern part of the Philippines. It is geograpically separated from mainland Mindanao. It lies only 900 meters east of Davao City and 10 kilometers West of the Province of Davao de Oro (formerly Compostela Valley Province). It takes only 10-15 minutes ride from Davao City via motor boat or ferry boat. A city with resources potential of becoming an integral tourist destination and economic player in the country.
Its strategic location makes it the flagship site of the Philippines Tourism Master Plan, proposed convention and financial center of amenities for Southern Mindanao Development Corridor.
Quick Facts
| City Creation |
January 30, 1998 |
| Enabling Law |
R.A. 8471 |
| Foundation |
March 1-7, 1998 |
| Land Area |
30,130 (Has.) |
| Population |
104,123 (2015) |
| No. of Barangays |
46 |
| No. of Puroks |
367 |
| Households |
26,245 |
| Household Size |
4.0 |
Barangays of IGACOS
Location
IGACOS being located in Davao Gulf, separated from mainland Mindanao by a body of water is accessible via a 15 minute motorboat ride to Babak port from Km. 11, Sasa, Davao City, and a 45 minute ride to Peñaplata and Kaputian ports from Sta. Ana wharf, Davao City or board similar transports. Ferryboats also service motor vehicles between Barangay Caliclic and Km. 11.
The nearest distance from the island city to Davao city is between Barangay Caliclic and Km. 10 Sasa, being only 900 meters apart. In Geographical terms, IGACOS is located between latitude 6º54’00” and 7º11’28” north, and between longitude 125º39’30” and 125º47’28” east.
Physical Features
There are two main Islands in IGACOS , Samal Island and Talicud Island which is situated at the southern point. Other smaller islands namely Malipano, Big Ligid and Little Ligid are also part of the city. In terms of land area, IGACOS has a total area of 30,130 hectares which is generally classified as follows:
-- Certified alienable and disposable 27,918 has.
-- Forest Land 2,212 has.
The island has an estimated length of 34 kilometers and 15 kilometers wide, which is characterized by mountain ranges at the east with an estimated elevation of 532 meters above sea level at Tayapoc, Puting Bato point. The flat terrain is found largely at Babak district. The gentle sloping areas are found mostly in the coastline, which is about 116 kilometers. The island also has three major rivers and lakes, namely; Benoling River, Tagbaobo River and Bagsak Lake.
Demography
Based on the official survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) 2015, the Island Garden City of Samal has a total population of 104,123 and 26,245 number of households. The population Average Annual Growth Rate (AAGR) is 1.58% while its population density is four (4) persons per hectare. There are about 31 dialects are being used, Cebuano as the dominant medium followed by Isama, Boholano, and Tausug.
Economic Affairs
IGACOS enjoys an evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year and a typhoon free climate, which make it ideal for agricultural production. Copra, mango, corn , vegetables, citrus and fish are the major products of the island. Livestock production is also a major product with Davao City as the primary market. In addition, rice is also produced in the barangays of Libuak in Babak District and Aumbay in Samal District. Although the city’s economy depends greatly in its agricultural production, it has the following potentials for investments:
-- Resort development and other tourism ventures
-- Commerce, Trade, Industry and and Financial Institutions
-- Infrastracture and Utilities
-- Water Systems
-- Telecommunications Service Facilities
-- Real State Development
-- Recreational Facilities
-- Cottage Industries
-- Light Industries ( Feeds And Organic Fertilizer Production )
Of the foregoing potentials, water system, communications and real state development were considered as priority projects.
Physical Profile
Physical Profile
The Island Garden City of Samal is composed of main island and 7 islets with a 118.5 kilometers of long continuous coastline and 30,130 hectares of total land area that lavishes an ample mountain ranges, a number of isolated hills and uneven distribution of lowlands. Its mean annual temperature estimated to 26.9'C. The climate type is Zone IV which is characterized by rainfall more or less distributed evenly throughout the year which saved the island from typhoons and tropical depressions. Its soil classification known as Bolinao Clay is suited for corn, coconut and mango production.
It is located at the heart of Davao Gulf approximately 900 meters East of Davao City from Babak District and only 10-15 minutes ride from Davao City via motor boat or ferry boat.
The largest among the islets known as Talikud Island is about 2,500 meters from Poblacion, Kaputian District. The other six (6) islets are Big Liguid (28,0492 has.), Small Liguid (4.5 has.), Arboles Shoal, otherwise known as Sanipaan (3.125 has.), Small Malipano (.1595 has.), Dela Paz (1.378 has.), Big Malipano (8.2858 has.), and Wishing Islet (700 sq.m.), respectively. Big and Small Liguid are part of Barangay Balet while Arboles Shoal is part of Barangay Tambo. Big and Small Malipano, Dela Paz, and Wishing Islets are part of Kaputian District.
The highest peak is the Puting Bato with slope ranges from 30-65% with an area of 215 hectares which is located mostly in Barangay Tagbitan-ag and a portion of Barangay Aundanao.
Springs can found in different barangays and one (1) river traversing Barangay Cawag. The entire island including Talikud and the rest of the islets has thirty one (31) coastal barangays out of the 46 barangays. Kaputian District has the greater number of coastal barangays with 12 barangays out of its 15 barangays.
There are 5 major urban areas in the city namely; Barangay Pichon and Villarica of Babak District, Barangay Peñaplata of Samal District and Barangay Poblacion and Sta. Cruz of Kaputian District.
Human Resource Profile
Human Resource Profile
Processes of fertility, mortality and migration bring about changes in population. These factors affect the size of population.
The trend of population in the Island Garden City of Samal is increasing. It has never declined. As a result, the government is now facing an uncontrolled population problem on the utilization of its limited resources such as employment, food, education, health, nutrition and other. As a whole, the quality of life of the residents is affected. The trend of population of the city had a formidable growth rate of 1.58% for the year 2015 Philippine Statistics Authority Census Official Survey Result totaled to 104,123. In 2017, the City Health Office (CHO) Survey Result totaled population accounted to 114,716. It is noted that males dominated females for about 59,083 in terms of population.
Data on Population by age group based on CHO 2017 Survey Result by sex, the highest number of population is between 5 to 9 years.
Economic Profile
Agriculture
Agricuture is considered as one of the country's important sector. In relation to the city's economic activities, agriculture has a great contribution in the island's economy. Basically, 90% of the total land area is devoted to coconut, corn, and other crops production. About 71.12 percent is developed for agricultural production while 18.96 percent remain idle which mean that there is still more space for agricultural production.
Among the city's major crops, coconut is the highest with 29,050 hectares planted. The coconut is processed into copra and sold to neighboring city particularly Davao City.
The city is known for its 3Ms namely: Mango, Mongo and the Mariculture Park. Among the three, mango is considered in One Town One Product Program (OTOP) of the local government and the city will be known for its Fresh Mango and other related products.
Corn, rice and other crops also shared in the island's agricultural pie. Rice are predominantly grown in Barangays Aumbay and Libuak.
About 18.96% of the land area remains idle which means that there is still more space for agricultural production.
Few years passed, the production of mango, banana and cassava have been increasing. The increase of production indicates more area will develop for agricultural crop plantation, and its potential to add up the volume of agricultural production in the coming years.
Most of the agricultural products in the island are locally consumed except for copra and mango. These are directly sold in the nearby market particularly in Davao City.
Livestock
Aside from farming and fishing, livestock production is given full support from the local government. The City Veterinary Office is tasked to monitor and ensure animals' physical condition. Chicken are the most grown livestock which accounted to 95,760. Hogs raising is the most raised compared to cattle and carabao.
Fishery
Being a coastal city having an extensive coastline of 118.5 kilometer long and thirty-one (31) or sixty seven percent (67%) of the forty-six (46) barangays are coastal, fishing is one of the sources of living of its residents.
Not all islanders depend on agricultural farming but some are engaged in fishing or doing both. In fact, there are 4,135 fishermen where 1,030 are fulltime and 323 are part-time with 1,041 units of motorized bancas and 767 non-motorized bancas.
Most of the fishes found in the municipal waters are tuna, tuna-like species, big-eyed scad, flying fish, sardines, parrot fish and siganid. Minor sea products other that fish are seashells, seaweeds and sea cucumber.
For three consecutive years, there is a decrease in marine products. Marine and inland products are directly sold to the local market.
Few individuals in Babak District specifically in Barangays Balet and Libuak and in Samal District privately grow inland fishes like Bangus and Tilapia in a 15.5 hectares.
Tourism
The Island Garden City of Samal is considered as one of the most promising tourist destination in the country for its inimitable beauty and unspoiling natural attraction such as white sand beaches, crystal waters, religious and historical attractions, caves, mountains, forests, view decks and falls the island can offer.
Total Tourists Arrival in 2014 accounted to 422,787 day tour tourists and 256,605 over night tourists. Island tour is available for tourists who wish to view Samal Island by water.
