CARAGA Region

[Sinjin P.]

Caraga is an Administrative Region of the Philippines, on the northeastern portion of the island of Mindanao. It is the newest region in the Philippines, and is also called Region XIII. The Caraga Region was created through Republic Act Number 7901 on February 25, 1995. The region is composed of four (4) provinces: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur; three (3) cities: Butuan, Surigao and Bislig; seventy (70) municipalities and 1,346 barangays. Butuan City is the regional center.

History

The history of Caraga can be traced back to the 15th century when explorers discovered the existence of “Kalagans”, believed to be of Visayan Origin in one of the three districts in Mindanao. The word Caraga originated from the Visayan word "Kalagan": "Kalag" meaning soul or people and "An" meaning land. The "Kalagans have a long history of being brave and fearless. Thus, the region was called by early chroniclers as the "Land of the Brave and Fierce People".

The "Kalagans", called "Caragans" by the Spaniards occupied the district composed of the two provinces of Surigao, northern part of Davao Oriental and Eastern Misamis Oriental. The two Agusan Provinces were later organized under the administrative jurisdiction of Surigao and became the independent Agusan province in 1914. In 1960, Surigao was divided as Norte and Sur, and in June 1967, Agusan followed suit. While Butuan then was just a town of Agusan, the logging boom in 1950's drew business and businessmen to the area. On August 2, 1950, by virtue of Republic Act 523, the City Charter of Butuan was approved .

[Sinjin P.]

Agusan del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Caraga region in Mindanao. Its capital is Cabadbaran and borders Surigao del Norte to the north, Surigao del Sur to the east, Agusan del Sur to the south, and Misamis Oriental to the west. It faces Butuan Bay, part of the Bohol Sea, to the northwest.

History

Created by Republic Act 4979 from Agusan province. On August 16, 2000. The seat of provincial government was transferred from Butuan City to Cabadbaran by virtue of Republic Act 8811.

[Sinjin P.]

Agusan Del Norte - Land Of Antiquated Finds

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Agusan del Norte is the smallest province in the Caraga Region, classified as a second-class province. It is mountainous along its northeastern and western parts. In between are flat, rolling lands, particularly where the Agusan River cuts through as it empties into Butuan Bay. The highest peak, Mt. Hilong-hilong, at 2,012 meters above sea level, is located in the Diwata Mountain Ranges near the eastern boundary of Surigao del Sur. Indigenous peoples of the Mamanwa, Manobo, and Higaonon/Tala-andig tribes populate its many mountains.

Geography

Located in the northeastern part of Mindanao, it is bounded on the north by Butuan Bay and Surigao del Norte; east by Surigao del Sur; west by Misamis Oriental; and south and southwest by Agusan del Sur. Agusan del Norte occupies a total land area of 2, 503.9 sq. kilometers.
spacer spacerPolitical Subdivision
Agusan del Norte is composed of 11 municipalities. Capital is Cabadbaran, which also serves as the administrative center. The commercial center is Butuan City.

Population

Agusan del Norte had a population of 299,313 as of 2003, growing at an annual rate of 1.89%.
spacer spacerLanguage/Dialect
Pilipino, English, Spanish, Fukienese, Cebuano, Butuanon, Ilonggo, Manobo, Mamanwa, Higa-onon, Maranao.

Climate

The province is located outside of the typhoon belt and has no definite dry season. Rainfall is pronounced throughout the year, occurring heavily from November to January.

Industries

Primarily an agricultural province, Agusan del Norte is the region’s leading rice producer. Other major products are coconut, corn, mango, bananas, palm oil, vegetables, and prawns.

The province continues to be a major timber producer despite its extensive deforested areas. There are 23 lumber producers and plywood plants, most of them operating in Butuan City. Minor licensees concentrate on gathering rattan, considered the best in the country.

The emerging industry mix is on agri-business, where its two special economic zones will play a vital role in transforming the place from a timber-dependent industry to a balanced agri-forestry-tourism industry.

[jameslab8470]

Originally Posted by Jhaelnis

... Capital is Cabadbaran, which also serves as the administrative center. The commercial center is Butuan City. ...

Ngayon ko lang nalaman 'to ah... So the Capital of Agusna del Norte is not Butuan City na? It's in Cabadbaran City na pala? But how come? The provincial capitol is located at Butuan City...

[g0Rs]

Oonga. That is somewhat confusing. hehe. The provincial capitol should be located in the provincial capital.

[pearlpacifican]

Thank you so much for the information that you've share to us.

[Kaiser]

Originally Posted by jameslab8470

Ngayon ko lang nalaman 'to ah... So the Capital of Agusna del Norte is not Butuan City na? It's in Cabadbaran City na pala? But how come? The provincial capitol is located at Butuan City...

My relatives in cabadbaran told me there is a plan that they will make a new provincial hall in cabadbaran.

[WawaY[625]]

@ sinjin, as much as i appreciate it na you are creating thread for different regions..baka pwede you could also invite people from these regions as well? i know this might be too much to ask, but try (if you have the tim elang naman) to google up existing forums in these regions and invite them here sa SSC.hehehe just a suggestion though

as for my part, i'll try to google up gensan and tagum forums tapos invite some of them here sa SSC

[Sinjin P.]

Originally Posted by Gravy_addict

@ sinjin, as much as i appreciate it na you are creating thread for different regions..baka pwede you could also invite people from these regions as well? i know this might be too much to ask, but try (if you have the tim elang naman) to google up existing forums in these regions and invite them here sa SSC.hehehe just a suggestion though

as for my part, i'll try to google up gensan and tagum forums tapos invite some of them here sa SSC

Thank You... Yeah, these threads are aimed at luring more people to join because soon enough these will appear on search results on Google or any other search engine so basically, it will invite more forumers.

[Sinjin P.]

Agusan del Sur is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Caraga region in Mindanao. Its capital is Prosperidad and borders, from the north clockwise, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, and Misamis Oriental.

History

The Agusan Valley was settled by a variety of cultural communities like the Manobos, Mamanwas and Higaonons. Archeological excavations in the lower Agusan valley plains have uncovered evidence of strong relationships between the region and the Southeast Asian states. A golden image of Javan-Indian design unearthed in the 1920s and molten jars uncovered in Prosperidad are indications that the region had commercial and cultural ties with the coast.

The Augustinian Recollects established a mission in Linao, in the vicinity of present day Bunawan, in 1614. However, mission work was hampered by the hostility of the surrounding Manobo tribes. At the height of the power of the Sultanate of Maguindanao in the mid-17th century, the Manobos of the Agusan Valley were in alliance with Sultan Kudarat. Linao was attacked several times during the 1629 Caraga Revolt and the 1649 Sumuroy Revolt. Nevertheless, the Recollects were able to establish themselves in their mission work, and remained there until the middle of the 19th century.

In the late 19th century, the Recollects (under protest) turned over many of their mission territories, including those in the upper Agusan region, to the reconstituted Jesuit order (the Jesuits had been banned by Papal edict in the 1760s, and ejected from the Philippines in 1768). Missionary work was interrupted by the Philippine Revolution when the Jesuits either fled or were arrested by revolutionaries. During the American occupation, lumbering became an important activity in Agusan del Sur. Visayan migrants settled in the cleared plains, pushing indigenous communities farther into the mountainous slopes.

The territory of Agusan del Sur was governed as part of the province of Caraga during most of the Spanish period. In 1860, it was placed under the comandancia of Butuan, a district of the province of Surigao. In 1914, the province of Agusan was created by the American government. Agusan was divided into Agusan del Norte and Sur in 1967 by Republic Act 4979.

The province of Agusan del Sur was born on June 17, 1967 under Republic Act No. 4969 providing for the division of the province of Agusan into Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur. In January 1970 the first set of provincial officials assumed office after the provincial election of November, 1969. The same law provided that the capital of Agusan del Sur shall be the municipality of Prosperidad. The Government Center has been set up in Barangay Patin-ay.

Hon. Rufino C. Otero was elected as the first Provincial Governor and Honorable Democrito O. Plaza the first Congressman in the election of November 1969. The term of office of Congressman Democrito O. Plaza would have continued until December 1983 had it not for the proclamation of Martial Law on September 21, 1972, which in effect abolished the Congress. When the Interim Batasang Pambansa was convened in 1978 after almost a decade of absence under the martial Law, Hon. Edelmiro Amante represented the province in the National Assembly.


Cultural history

Agusan derived its name from the local dialect, "agasan", meaning "where the water flows", referring to the great river splitting the land and meandering south to north in a 250-kilometer rush to Butuan Bay. Agusan River - the third largest in the country - served as highway for the Spanish colonizers in gaining access to inner north-eastern Mindanao.

The history of Agusan del Sur is essentially linked with that of its sister province, Agusan del Norte, for most of their historical existence, they were but one province under one governor or under one local civil government.

Agusans pre-hispanic cultural history is traced back to the great influence of the Majapahit Empire through the discovery of an eight-inch (200 mm) tall image of a woman in pure gold at Maasam, Esperanza in the early 1920s and molten jars unearthed at Bah-bah, Prosperidad. The aborigines of Agusan del Sur are the ancestors of the present day Mamanwas, who were driven to the hinterlands by waves of Malay immigrants. These immigrants, in turn, sought the protection of the interior jungles because of the forays and the constant raids of "moro" pirates. The "moros" being sea-faring people confined themselves to the coastal areas, where they started their settlements.

[Sinjin P.]

Agusan Del Sur - Treasures Of Old

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Located in Southern Philippines, Agusan del Sur is the fourth largest province in the country. It is endowed with rich natural resources contained in its vast agricultural, forest, and marsh lands. Its vision is to become an agro-processing center and an eco-tourism destination.

Agusan del Sur is a promising paradise found in the northeastern part of Mindanao. It is the land of the proud and brave Agusanons, a land of multi-ethnic and cultural diversity. It is hidden in the vastness of 896,550 hectares of endless green carpets and undulating forest cover which envelope its half a million people with fresh mountain air. The long winding Agusan River passes through the middle valley of Agusan del Sur.

Geography

Agusan del Sur lies along the Maharlika Highway that links the three major island groups of the country. It has a land area of 896,550 hectares, with a flat and rolling topography suitable for agriculture, industry, and forestry. It takes the shape of an elongated basin with mountain ranges in the eastern and western sides, which form a valley occupying the central longitudinal section of the land. The Agusan River, which is among the many rivers that crisscross the province, cuts it into two along a north-south direction, fertilizing the land all year round. The southern part teems with swamps and lakes, forming one of the largest wetlands in Southern Asia.

Political Subdivision

Agusan del Sur occupies a portion of the Northern Mindanao Region bounded on the north by Agusan del Norte, on the east by Surigao del Sur, on the south by Davao del Norte, and on the west by Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon. The province has one congressional district, which is composed of 14 municipalities and 314 barangays. Its capital town is Prosperidad, also the seat of the provincial government.

Language/Dialect

Cebuano, Boholano, Ilonggo, English, Filipino, and Visayan.

Climate

The climate is pleasant, with no dry season but a very pronounced rainy period usually occuring in December to January. Monthly rainfall is 302 mm. while the average temperature is 27 degrees Celsius.

Industries

An industrial estate in Talacogon, the Agusan del Sur Provincial Industrial Center forms the nucleus of the Agusan del Sur growth diamond. It is expected to boost agro-industrial production and aid in the further growth of the economy. The Economic Zone will be hosting light to medium scale industries engaged mostly in agro-industrial processing.

[Sinjin P.]

Surigao del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Caraga region in Mindanao. Its capital is Surigao City. The province consists of three major islands—Dinagat Island, Siargao Island, and Bucas Grande Island—in the Philippine Sea, and a small region at the northernmost tip of the island of Mindanao. This mainland portion borders Agusan del Norte, and Surigao del Sur to the south.

Surigao del Norte is the northernmost of the Mindanao provinces and is an important transportation route between Visayas and Mindanao. Numerous ferries cross the Surigao Strait between Surigao and the island of Leyte carrying vehicles and passengers between Liloan in Southern Leyte and Surigao City.

History

In 1538, the eastern coast of Mindanao which included the present province of Surigao del Norte was visited by a Portuguese explorer Francisco de Castro, who found the place inhabited by the Caraga tribe who were believed to be of Visayan origin.

Five years later, a Spaniard Ruy Lopez de Villabos landed in the same region, His navigator, Bernardo de la Torre, named it "Cesaria Caroli" in honor of the reigning Spanish Monarch, Carlos V. The name however, never persisted since the Spaniards preferred to name the area "Caraga" after its chief inhabitants.

The Jesuit Missionaries in 1597 tried to evangelize the people of Butuan (Agusan) and Caraga (Surigao), with much difficulty and intermittent success. They were followed in 1622 by the Augustinian Recollects who established parishes in Tandag and Bislig in 1642. The Recollects Stayed until 1875, then secular priests took over, followed by the Benedictine Monks from 1893 to 1908.

The ancient district of Caraga, which was established in 1609 comprised all of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, the Northern part of Davao Oriental and Eastern Misamis Oriental.

In 1860, six military districts were established in Mindanao. Surigao and Agusan, including the territory lying between Butuan and Caraga Bays, formed the third district called the East district which was changed in 1870 to "Distrito de Surigao". There are many versions regarding the meaning of Surigao. Like Sulo, which means current or Sulog, Surigao probably came from the Spanish word Surgir, meaning swift water or current.

By the end of the Spanish rule in 1897, the two Agusan provinces had been organized as a single politico-military comandancia named "Butuan", within the administrative jurisdiction of Surigao. On May 15, 1901, a civil government was established in the province of Surigao. Prudencio Garcia, Sr. was appointed Civil Governor and Roman Vasquez as the Municipal President of the town of Surigao.

The territorial expanse of the Surigao Province was further reduced in 1911 when the politico-military commandancia of Butuan, then a sub-province of Surigao was created into a separate province of Agusan with Butuan as its capital.

On May 23, 1942, the Japanese forces under Colonel Yoshie arrived in Surigao from Butuan. They formally took control of the town on May 28, 1942 under Lt. Ichichara.

Liberation from the Japanese rule dawned on September 9, 1944. American planes started their campaign by bombing the town in the early morning. It was followed by a strafing of all Japanese warships docked at the Surigao wharf, which came to transport fresh troops and supplies to their forces in Leyte. No less than fifty warships were sunk by the raiding American bomber planes. After the attack, not a single Japanese ship was seen afloat.

On April 12, 1945, peace and democracy completely reigned in Surigao and the whole province. It was during the liberation period that Surigao experienced an economic boom. This was brought about by the operation of the Mindanao Mother Lode Mines, Inc., extracting gold in Barrio Mabuhay. The operation attracted people from the neighboring towns resulting in the phenomenal growth of population.

Such a transition caused the conversion of some of her barrios into towns. Barrio Malimono, a fishing barrio on the west became a municipality on July 31, 1956 by virtue of Executive Order No. 195. Barrio Anao-aon, another fishing village, became a municipality on May 24, 1957 as per Executive Order No. 249. Likewise, Sison, an agricultural barrio, became a municipality on September 15, 1959 per Executive Order No. 357. Barrios near the newly created municipalities were relinquished respectively.

On September 18, 1960, pursuant to the Republic Act 2736 dated June 19, 1960, the province of Surigao was divided into Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. The town of Surigao became a city on August 30, 1970 pursuant to RA 6134. Atty. Pedro R. Espina became the first City Mayor.

[dysmic_francis]

That's my Province!!! Im here to share about my beloved countryside..

[dysmic_francis]

did someone posted on Naliyagan Festival? Well, its from Agusan del Sur!!

[Sinjin P.]

Surigao Del Sur - Nature Pride Of Caraga

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Surigao del Sur was created as the 56th independent Philippine province on June 19, 1960 by virtue of House Bill No. 3058 also known as Republic Act No. 2786 authored by Representative Reynaldo P. Honrado. It was formally created and inaugurated on September 18, 1960 at the capital town of Tandag, the seat of the Provincial Government. Its first appointed and elected Governor was the late Recaredo B. Castillo.

Geography

Surigao del Sur is naturally advantaged. It is located in the northeastern coast of Mindanao facing the Pacific Ocean. It is approximately kilometers in length and 50 kilometers at its widest stretch.

It is bounded on the northwest by the province of Surigao del Norte; on the southeast by Davao Oriental; on the east by the Pacific Ocean; and on the west and southwest by the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur. The Diwata Mountain Range lines the northwestern boundaries of the province.

Political Subdivision

Municipalities are grouped into three clusters based on their common resource potentials, proximity, and accessibility to common trade and service centers: the Bibahilita, the Macasaltabayani, and Canmadcarlancortan.

Population

Surigao del Sur has a total population of 501,808 with one city, 309 barangays, two disticts, and 18 municipalities.
spacer spacerLanguage/Dialects
English, Filipino, Cebuano, Surigaonon: Kamayo, Cantilangnon, Tagon-on.

Climate

The province falls under the second type of climate in the Philippines, characterized by rainfall that is distributed throughout the year. Months with low level of rainfall are from July to October, with September as the driest month. Wet months are from November to June, with January as the wettest month.

INDUSTRIES

About 45 % of the total land area is developed to agriculture. Major crops are palay, corn, coconut, abaca, soybeans, coffee, and other high value crops.

The province has 148 sq.km. of wetland that can be developed. Fishponds are responsible for the continuous production of prawns, milkfish, and crabs both for consumption and exportation.

It is one of the few provinces that have the largest forest covers with 2111,067 has. The forest land is predominantly covered with dipterocarp type of forest while some areas are covered with mossy and mangroves types. Commercial woods species are Narra, red and white Lauan, Mayapis, Almon, Apitong, Yakal, Bagtikan, and Tanguile. Rattan and Bonbon also abound.

[tyronne]

oh nice. my mom's from Tandag, Surigao del Sur been there in 1996. i would like to say HI to all my relatives in Tandag; mga pinsan ko kumusta na kayo dyan; hope to see you again soon; sa lolo't lola ko, ingat kayo lagi; hi na rin sa mga tito at tita ko

[boybleauXx]

Human chain for greening set in Caraga
By Ben Serrano
Caraga Correspondent

BUTUAN CITY -- An estimated 50,000 warm human bodies will be out in the streets in early morning of August 25 to form a human chain to plant trees along national highways in the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Surigao del Norte, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Caraga Region said.

Caraga DENR Regional Director Benjamen Tumaliuan said 120,000 tree seedlings of medium-sized trees, flowering plants, and shrubs are to be planted side by side along the national highways of the three provinces as part of the nationwide greening project of the agency originally scheduled on August 25.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called for public support for the "Greening the Philippines" project of the DENR, asking coordination with all agencies of the government, religious, local government units, socio-civic organizations, non-government organizations, business sector, and other organizations.

"Barangay folks from three provinces armed with bolos and tree seedlings will line up the national highway early morning on August 25 to plant trees and take care of the seedlings to grow themselves in their respective barangays," Tumaliuan said.

The theme for the event is "Unity, Solidarity for Green Caraga: The Key to Sustainable Timber Corridor."

Joint implementation

Earlier, the DENR Caraga Press Corps signed a memorandum of agreement with the agency's regional office for joint sustainable tree planting activities where journalists will plant trees and nurture it in the entire duration of the tree planting program.

Already, the Roman Catholic's Diocese of Butuan-Agusan through Bishop Juan De Dios M. Pueblos has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the DENR regional office also for a joint tree planting activities involving churches of the three provinces.

Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers and Agusan del Norte Governor John Earlpe Amante issued Executive Orders directing all local chief executives of the two provinces to join the implementation of the nationwide tree planting projects.

The two provincial chief executives also directed all chief of offices of the local government units to assist in the preparation in the provincial program of action and implementation.

Business sector with the different organized Chambers of Commerce and Industry have also signified intention in joining the noble project by encouraging business establishments to implement adopt a tree project.

All 36 wood processing firms and plants in the region have already signed a memorandum of agreement with the DENR for a joint cooperation of the tree planting project.

The firms through its tree nurseries will help provide some tree seedlings for the project.

The different DENR local offices spread across the region are set to meet different local village chiefs and Barangay officials for a final meeting anytime next to synchronize activities of the one-day green chain project.

At present, Caraga Region supplies nearly 70 percent of the country's wood supply needs from its more than one million hectare of forested land area being the "Timber Corridor" of the country today.

[jameslab8470]

tagal naman na update ang thred na 'to... i'll try to revive it agen.. hahaha!

[RCXsickboy]

Tandag (Surigao del Sur)
Bayugan (Agusan del Sur)
Cabadbaran (Agusan del Norte)

wow... three new cities... for this progressing region.^_^

[jameslab8470]

Yep! About sa Agusan del Sur, kahit na ang provincial capital nila is Prosperidad, mas nauna pa naging city ang Bayugan... Kasi Bayugan is nearest to Butuan City, the regional center of Caraga Region... When we passed by there in Prosperidad, hindi pa talaga xa pwede maging city. wala maxado tao, and ala maxado buildings/establishments.