Surigao del Sur
Encyclopedia
Surigao del Sur is a province
Provinces of the Philippines
The Provinces of the Philippines are the primary political and administrative divisions of the Philippines. There are 80 provinces at present, further subdivided into component cities and municipalities. The National Capital Region, as well as independent cities, are autonomous from any provincial...

 of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

 located in the CARAGA
Caraga
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 No. 7901 on February 25, 1995...

 region
Regions of the Philippines
In the Philippines, regions are administrative divisions that serve primarily to organize the provinces of the country for administrative convenience. Currently, the archipelagic republic of the Philippines is divided into 17 regions...

 in Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...

. Its capital is Tandag City and borders Surigao del Norte
Surigao del Norte
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 two major islands—Siargao Island and Bucas Grande Island—in the Philippine Sea, and a small region at the northernmost tip of the island of...

 to the north, Agusan del Norte
Agusan del Norte
Agusan del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Caraga, a region in Mindanao. Its capital is Cabadbaran City and it 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...

 and Agusan del Sur
Agusan del Sur
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...

 to the west, and Davao Oriental
Davao Oriental
Davao Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Mati and borders Compostela Valley to the west, and Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur to the north. Davao Oriental is the easternmost province of the country with Pusan Point as the easternmost...

 to the south. Surigao del Sur is located at the eastern coast of Mindanao and faces the Philippine Sea
Philippine Sea
The Philippine Sea is a marginal sea east and north of the Philippines occupying an estimated surface area of 2 million mi² on the western part of the North Pacific Ocean...

.

History

Before the Spaniards came, the aborigines of the province were the Mamanua and Manobo. Later, our Austronesian
Austronesian people
The Austronesian-speaking peoples are various populations in Oceania and Southeast Asia that speak languages of the Austronesian family. They include Taiwanese aborigines; the majority ethnic groups of East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, Madagascar, Micronesia, and Polynesia,...

 brothers from the Visayas came to settle with the natives. It was with the arrival of the immigrants that the province acquired its name from one of the natives, Saliagao, who lived near the mouth of the river.The name Saliagao was later pronounced Surigao by the inhabitants.

It is also said that long time ago, some Visayan fishermen forced by the strong current of the Surigao Strait, sought refuge in one of the huts somewhere in the province. The Mamanua who thought that these fishermen wanted to occupy the hut by force said “Agaw”, the term which was later given a prefix “Suri” by an immigrant.

Surigao formerly, was extended from what is known as Agusan, including the islands east of it and the northern regions of Davao and the capital of the province that time was Caraga and so the Spaniards called the people Caragas.

The aborigine
Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....

s of Surigao del Sur were a conglomeration and mixture of different racial types, namely: Mandaya, Mamanua, Mansaka and Manobo. These racial groups were of Malayan-Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...

n ancestry which took place thousand years ago. In the course of their migration, these primitive nomads were believed to have separated their ways in some portions of the archipelago in a spirit of adventure and search for food (i.e., during the pleisto scene of the glacial ages). It was believed further that they first settled in the northern
island of the country who later took their bancas and reach the shores of
Mindanao particularly in the Provinces of Surigao and Davao. They scattered
among themselves in spots either in pairs or by family clans, retaining their
own customs, dialects and ways of life.

There was no trace of exact dates and places of arrival. But it was known that this group of people were very nomadic and were the remnants of the present Mamanua and Manobo found in the wilderness of the northern part of Davao bordering the Province of Surigao. Their migratory movement was said to have come from the hinterlands of Agusan and along the foothills of western and southern part of Surigao del Sur. It was pointed out that the cause of migration was due to famine and occurrence of death from diseases believed caused by evil spirits.

The Province of Surigao del Sur was created as the 56th Philippine province on June 19, 1960 by virtue of RA 2786 and was formally organized or separated from its mother province, Surigao del Norte
Surigao del Norte
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 two major islands—Siargao Island and Bucas Grande Island—in the Philippine Sea, and a small region at the northernmost tip of the island of...

, on September 18, 1960.

At the time of its inception, it was classified as 4th Class province with an annual income of over P300,000.00. Seven years later, because of rapid increase of revenue collection particularly from the logging ventures, it has been reclassified as Ist Class B and in 1980 as Ist Class A with an estimated annual income of around P13,000,000.00. Presently, it is reclassified as 2nd Class with a revenueadding up to P315,888,300.63.

Honorable Recaredo B. Castillo was the appointed Governor and subsequently elected Governor and Honorable Vicente L. Pimentel as the first elected Congressman. Hon. Johnny T. Pimentel is the ninth and incumbent Provincial Executive.

Originally the province had 13 municipalities. In subsequent years, six more were added raising the number to 19 with Tandag as the capital. Now, two of its municipalities have been elevated to cities; the first was Bislig City. In 2007 Tandag was granted cityhood but it was nullified via a controversial decision by the Supreme Court a year later. In 2009, Tandag would get back its city status after the SC reversed its own ruling on December 22, 2009.

People and culture

Surigao is home to the Mamanwa and Manobo tribe. Their dances are showcased in a local festival called "Sirong Festival
Sirong Festival
is an ethnic mardi-gras parade. Although some other Municipalities in the province of Surigao are claiming to have this festival originated from them. As most of this coastal towns are founded during the pre-Spanish occupation and is both claiming the story of being attacked by the moros...

", held especially during the town fiesta of Cantilan. The Sirong Festival
Sirong Festival
is an ethnic mardi-gras parade. Although some other Municipalities in the province of Surigao are claiming to have this festival originated from them. As most of this coastal towns are founded during the pre-Spanish occupation and is both claiming the story of being attacked by the moros...

 depicts the early Christianization of the early Cantilangnons (the Mamanwas and Manobos) wherein the natives tried to defend their land against Muslim envaders.

The Mamanwas and Manubo, the ethnic tribe of Surigao, have been converted to Christianism long ago, during the early times of the Spanish conqueror

Economy

Surigao del Sur is one of the supplier of agricultural items like, rice, banana and some tropical fruits.
Copper, chromite and silver are also found here.

Languages

Surigaonon is spoken in most part of Surigao del Sur except in the City of Bislig, Municipalities of Lianga, Barobo, Hinatuan, Lingig and Tagbina which mostly speaks Kamayo
Kamayo
Kamayo is a language spoken in Bislig City and Tandag City then provinces of Surigao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Agusan del Sur and partly in Agusan del Norte and belong within the Austronesian language family. Being Malayo-Polynesian, it is related to other Austronesian languages...

. The Indigenous people (Manobo
Lumad
The Lumad is a term being used to denote a group of indigenous peoples of the southern Philippines. It is a Cebuano term meaning "native" or "indigenous"...

) speaks Manobo languages
Lumad
The Lumad is a term being used to denote a group of indigenous peoples of the southern Philippines. It is a Cebuano term meaning "native" or "indigenous"...

. Cebuano
Cebuano language
Cebuano, referred to by most of its speakers as Bisaya , is an Austronesian language spoken in the Philippines by about 20 million people mostly in the Central Visayas. It is the most widely spoken of the languages within the so-named Bisayan subgroup and is closely related to other Filipino...

, Tagalog
Tagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...

, and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...

 are also widely spoken.

Geography

The 56th Philippine province and is one of the sub-regions of Caraga.

It is located on the Northeastern Coast of Mindanao facing the Pacific Ocean.

It is bounded on the Northwest by the Province of Surigao del Norte, on the Southeast by Davao Oriental, on its Eastern side by the Pacific Ocean, and on the West and Southwest by the Provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur.

Surigao del Sur has one city and 18 municipalities most of which are located in the coastal areas, with Tandag City as its capital. These municipalities are subdivided into 309 barangays and has two congressional districts.

Political

Surigao del Sur is subdivided into 17 municipalities and two cities
Cities of the Philippines
A city is a tier of local government in the Philippines. All Philippine cities are chartered cities, whose existence as corporate and administrative entities is governed by their own specific charters in addition to the Local Government Code of 1991, which specifies the administrative structure...

.

Municipalities


  • Barobo
    Barobo, Surigao del Sur
    Barobo is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines- Location :Barobo lies in the central part of the province of Surigao del Sur.It is located between 8'34'00" and 8'25'00" latitude and 125'59"00...

  • Bayabas
    Bayabas, Surigao del Sur
    Bayabas is a 5th class municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 7,706 people in 1,290 households....

  • Cagwait
    Cagwait, Surigao del Sur
    Cagwait is a 4th class municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 19,899 people in 3,426 households. Cagwait is about 32 kilometers Southeast of Tandag, the capital town of Surigao del Sur...

  • Cantilan
    Cantilan, Surigao del Sur
    Cantilan is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 28,659 people in 5,378 households....

  • Carmen
    Carmen, Surigao del Sur
    Carmen is a 5th class municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 9,551 people in 1,873 households....

  • Carrascal
    Carrascal, Surigao del Sur
    Carrascal is a 4th class municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 13,157 people in 2,756 households. Unique boasts common with the uneven distribution of its lowlands and rolling areas...

  • Cortes
    Cortes, Surigao del Sur
    Cortes is a 4th class municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 Philippine census, it has a population of 14,825 people in 2,742 households.-Barangays:Cortes is politically subdivided into 13 barangays...

  • Hinatuan
    Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur
    Hinatuan is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 36,170 people in 6,445 households.-Barangays:Hinatuan is politically subdivided into 24 barangays.* Baculin...

  • Lanuza
    Lanuza, Surigao del Sur
    Lanuza is a 4th class municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. It has a total land area of 395.76 km², representing 8.7% to the total area of Surigao del Sur. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 10,057 people in 1,942 households.It is noted as a surfing...


  • Lianga
    Lianga, Surigao del Sur
    Lianga is a 4th class municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 25,014 people in 4,713 households.-Barangays:Lianga is politically subdivided into 13 barangays.* Anibongan* Ban-as...

  • Lingig
    Lingig, Surigao del Sur
    Lingig is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 26,487 people in 4,954 households...

  • Madrid
    Madrid, Surigao del Sur
    Madrid is a 4th class municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. Madrid was named after the capital city of Spain, Madrid. It has 14 barangay's and two comprising the poblacion, the brgy Linibunan and brgy Quirino...

  • Marihatag
    Marihatag, Surigao del Sur
    Marihatag is a 4th class municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 16,394 people in 2,857 households. The current mayor of the municipality is Hon. Leo C...

  • San Agustin
    San Agustin, Surigao del Sur
    San Agustin is a 4th class municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 14,845 people in 2,751 households.-Barangays:San Agustin is politically subdivided into 13 barangays.* Bretania...

  • San Miguel
    San Miguel, Surigao del Sur
    San Miguel is a 1st class municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 27,883 people in 5,086 households.-Barangays:San Miguel is politically subdivided into 18 barangays.* Bagyang...

  • Tagbina
    Tagbina, Surigao del Sur
    Tagbina is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 34,057 people in 6,210 households.-Barangays:Tagbina is politically subdivided into 25 barangays.-External links:...

  • Tago
    Tago, Surigao del Sur
    Tago is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines-History:The Municipality of Tago was born thrice because of the precariousness of political times back then. It saw the light of day for the first time in 1865 under the Maura Law of the Spanish Regime that...



Notable People from Surigao del Sur

  • Zandro "Jun" Limpot-former PBA basketball player-Tago,Surigao del Sur
  • Marcelito Pomoy-Pilipinas Got Talent Season 2 Grand Winner-Bislig City,Surigao del Sur
  • Dennis Orcullo-Billiard Champion-Bislig City, Surigao del Sur
  • Sam Milby-ABS-CBN Contract Star,Celebrity-Tago, Surigao del Sur

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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