Economic Profile

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 16,105.25 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.

For the past years, mango, banana and citrus emerged increasingly having more potential area for plantation. Apparently, these crops areas axpected to contribute in the island's agricultural volume of 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. The level of output is minimal enough for the local market in the island. 

• Livestock

Aside from farming and fishing, livestock production is given full support by the local government. The City Veterinary Office is tasked to monitor and ensure animals' physical condition. Chicken are the most grown animals. 

• Fishery

Being a coastal city having an extensive coastline of 118.5 kilometer long and thirty one (31) or sixty seven percent 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 engage in fishing or doing both. In fact, there are 4,135 fisherman with 1,335 units motorized bancas and 890 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 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 18.5 hectares.

• Tourism 

The Islland 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, viewdecks and falls the island can offer.

Total Tourists Arrival in 2014 accounted to 422,787 daytour tourists and 256,605 overnight tourists. Islabd tour is available for tourists who wish to view Samal Island by water.

Physical Profile

Physical Profile

The Island Garden City of Samal is composed of main island and 7 islets with a 118.5 kms. 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.

Basic Information

An Overview

"The Urban Center in a Garden Setting"

The Island Garden City of Samal, a coastal paradise, group of islands strategically situated at the heart of Davao Gulf in the Southern part of the Philippines. It is geographically separated from mainland Mindanao. It lies only 900 meters east of Davao City and 10 kilometers West of Comval Province. And it is also 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. 

 Basic Information

• Date created: March 7,1998
• Enabling Law: RA 8471
• Patron Saint: Immaculate Concepcion
• Date of Fiesta: December 8
• Total number of Male: 56,135
• Total number of Female: 52,417
• Total Population: 108,552 (2014)
• Total Households: 24,614
• Land Area ( in has ): 30,130
• Total number of Barangays: 46
• Total number of Puroks: 313
• Major Sources of Income: Agriculture, Farming and Fishing

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. ll , 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 6º 54’00” and 7º 11’28” north, and  between longitude 125º 39’30”  and 125º 47’28” east.

Physical Features

There are two main Islands in IGacoS , Samal island and Talicud 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 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 kms. and 15 kms. 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 kms. The island also has three major rivers and lakes , namely ; Binoling River, Tagbaobo River and Bagsak Lake.

Demography

Based on the unofficial results of the year 2000 census, IGaCoS has a total number of 17,415 households and 82,707 population. The population Average Annual Growth Rate ( AAGR ) IS 2% while its population density is 258 persons per square kilometer. As to the vernacular being used, there are about 31 dialects being used with Cebuano as the dominant medium followed by Isama, Boholano and Tausug in that order.

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 San Isidro in Babak and Aumbay in Peñaplata 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
• Water Systems
• Telecommunications
• 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.