MUNICIPALITY OF ASUNCION

The calm allure of Madgao

Boats, long and narrow, are starting to arrive. It is a cloudy afternoon and the river is calm as the boats continue to create ripples on the surface. This is only one of the features of Madgao River which makes it an emerging tourist destination of Asuncion, Davao del Norte.

One of the boaters said that the river, more than two kilometres long, has been “like a highway” to them not only in terms of its usage but also its physical attributes. It offers an excellent training ground for dragon boat racing. It also abounds with carp, tilapia, and native prawn, among other aquatic resources.

Seek out the rural splendor of Asuncion, a municipality christened in honor of its patron saint, the Nuestra Senora dela Asuncion. A melting pot of cultures, this 30,422 hectare town used to be the bastion of Aeta and Mandaya tribes before migrants settled in the 1930s. Today, it is one of the provinces food baskets, producing high quality produce, such as rice, banana, corn, coconut, root crops, calamansi, various vegetables and fruits. It is also home of the Madgao River, known for its marine resources and an emerging tourist destination in the province.

Madgao River

MUNICIPALITY OF CARMEN

Once a battle ground, now a shrine

In May 1945 – the bravery of those who fought the war and drove away the Japanese army then stationed in Barangay Ising, Carmen town – will not be forgotten. The epic historic “Battle of Ising” is now remembered through a Veterans Memorial Shrine. Written there is a brief history and some of the names of those who risked their lives to win the battle that prompted the Japanese forces to leave Davao.

Now, Carmen is fast progressing as first class municipality. It takes advantage of its fertile land and rich marine resources. Vast rice fields may be viewed along the national highway. Its coastal arrears are relied upon by the fisher folks as major source of livelihood such as mud-crab fattening and fishing.

A bastion of brave Filipino soldiers, this once-battleground is now a historical shrine in Davao del Norte. carmen, a first class municipality, is the site where brave filipino soldiers drove away Japanese forces stationed in Barangay Ising. The epic Battle of Ising is now honored through the Ising Peace Memorial. the town is also known for its vast rice fields and rich marine resources. Fishermen in its coastal areas make livelihood with mud crab fattening and fishing.

Veterans Memorial Shrine

Organic Rice Products

MUNICIPALITY OF BRAULIO E. DUJALI

When fishponds harbour rice lands – Organic Rice Farm

What was once a swampy and uninhabited land mass is now home to tons of tilapia and other freshwater fish. But this place in Braulio E. Dujali, Davao del Norte measuring approximately 50 hectares offers not only flourishing fishponds.

Home to integrated farming system, BE Dujali now becomes an embodiment of success in the countryside. With areas largely flooded especially during the rainy season, it has been turning tides to its favour by converting swampy areas into productive fishponds and organic rice fields, teaching its people the right farming systems – these as the municipal government installs and keeps up protection dikes to control the influx of water.

Discover Natures gifts in the once a swampy and uninhabited municipality of Braulio E. Dujali. Today, it is a model municipality visited by tourists - and emulated by others - for its organic demonstration farm, Palayamanan. The Farm showcases rice fields, vermiculture, goatery, duckery, piggery, vegetable and herbal gardens. Guests are also was served with delectable organic food straight from the farm.

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL

Pristine Paradise of IGACOS

From its white-sand beaches, to caves, falls and world renowned fruit bats, the Island Garden City of Samal is undoubtedly the prime face of tourism in the Davao region. It is definitely the island destination where Dabaonons can grab a quick summer escape. But more and more people from beyond are discovering it.

From Samal’s beach fronts, nature lovers can head inward to hagimit Falls. Down the steps to the multi-tiered falls, the cool refreshing water attracts families and friends. In a province known for its fruits, it is no surprise that a certain wave of colony of bats has also called it home – the close to 2 million fruit bats of Monfort Bat Caves.

Plunge into the endless excitement that the Island garden City of samal has to offer. The jewel of Davao Gulf is a haven for various eco-adventure aactivities, such as diving, snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, trekking, camping, rapelling, rock/wall climbing, ziplines and water slides. Aside from its renowned white-sand beaches, tourists also visit its caves, waterfalls, mountain peaks and Monfort Cave, home of the world-renowned, Guinness record-holder fruit bats.

MUNICIPALITY OF KAPALONG

A theme park amid plantation

When visiting the town of Kapalong, touted as the “Caving Capital of Mindanao”, caves are must-see sites. But J.K. Mercado and Sons’ Pag-asa Farms is a destination one should not miss.

It has a five-hectare botanical garden within a vast banana plantation, in which a wide array of waling-waling and cattleya orchids thrive. The trilling sight of different animal species await the visitors.

Situated across the Municipal Hall of Kapalong is the new Town Square cum theme park. The municipal government made a lagoon and a foot fountain on the corner that can be seen from the castle, where the round-shaped amphitheatre can clearly and fully seen as well. While the latter has enough space for  1,800 people, an auditorium building was also built that can carry up to 2,000 people.

Kapalong is king when it comes to caves. It is home of the Suaon Nature Park, where a series of limestone caves formed intricate and mind-blowing natural formations underneath the earth. Visitors can explore Okbot, Otso, and Alena caves, and go sightseeing in the Sua-on Underground river. The town also has a five-hectare botanical and floral garden inside a vast banana plantation. Various animal species, including the endangered Philippine eagle, mouse, deer, and tarsier, are said to wander within the area.

Panas Falls

MUNICIPALITY OF NEW CORELLA

DavNor’s water basin

Beat the summer heat under the cascading waters of Casilac Falls. Though it travels through a narrow strip that is only partly hidden from the scorching sun, the water falling and running down beds of limestone is still as cold as melted ice.

New Corella is beginning to be known for its refreshing inland resorts such as Matin-ao and Panas but Casilac Falls reigns as the tallest, measuring more than 20 feet.

Aside from its extensive forests where Lawaan, Guiho, Apitong and Narra trees as well as mineral resources thrive, New Corella is also known for its refreshing waterfalls, such as Matin-ao, Panas and Casilac, found in tis jungles and inland resorts. It is no wonder since this 26,312 hectare municipality is traversed by the mighty Saug River and seven gushing creeks that also provide irrigation to its vast farmlands. It is also one of the provinces biggest rice producers.

Panabo City Banana Plantation

Panabo City Mariculture Park

CITY OF PANABO

Gateway to export market

A land that produces world-class products and water that builds a booming industry, Panabo City is indeed destined to be the Agri-Industrial Gateway to the World.

Thriving along the booming Cavendish banana plantations on this part of the province are tons of bangus (milk fish) farmed in more than 400 fish cages spread out in three barangays of Panabo, namely JP Laurel, Cagangohan and San Pedro. These cages span 1,075 hectares making up what is known as the Panabo Mariculture Park.

The Journey of this city to what it is now is being told in Museo Panabo, a general museum which features permanent exhibits that are divided into four halls: cultural, agri-industrial, political and contemporary.

Having the biggest banana plantations in the country has made Panado City instrumental in making the province the Banana Capital of the Philippines. Bananas from Panabo are exported to countries like Hong Kong, singapore, korea, China, Japan and the Middle East. The city is also famous for the agricultural successful of its Mariculture Park, a magnet of investors and tourists alike who flock the site to gain knowledge about its salt-water bangus industry.

Cacao Products

Kabyawan Cave

MUNICIPALITY OF SAN ISIDRO

Land of “brown gold”, caves and waterfalls

San Isidro is famous for its ‘tableya’, round-shaped finished product of dried cacao beans which may have been the main ingredient of one’s favourite chocolate.
But beyond its progressing cacao industry, eco-tourism sites also flourish.

Tugtugunan Falls and Kabyawan Cave are among the most-visited destinations beside Datu Kugsing Cave and Sayaw Bat Cave despite the long walk that takes more than an hour.

Unknown to many, near Kabyawan is one more wonder shrouded by huge timber tress. The locals call it “Sambulawan Falls”, after the beautiful Sambulawan Tree near the Three-tiered waterfalls.

Natures bounties flourish in this town of 25,548 people, known for its world-class cacao products, exciting caves and magnificent waterfalls. San Isidros cacao industry is booming, along with its eco-tourism sites. Among its most visited natural destinations are Tugtugunan Falls, Kabyawan Cave, Datu Kugsing Cave, Sayaw Bat Cave, and the three-tiered waterfall, Sambulawan, named after a beautiful local tree.

Sto. Tomas Sanitary Landfill

Sto. Tomas Crocodile Park

MUNICIPALITY OF STO. TOMAS

Model sanitary landfill where “crocs to go”

Sto. Tomas is famous for its Municipal Eco-logical Park and Ecology Center, which has gained local and national attention. It has been yielding commendations since its inception in 2004, particularly from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as a “Model Site” and “Learning Institute”.

While other eco-parks possess a beauty perfected by the touch of nature, the town brings into existence the true picture of a clean and green environment starting from scratch.

Another rising tourist magnet in town is 10-hectare property where you can find 6,000 crocodiles. Located in Brgy. New Katipunan is the Philippines’ second largest producer of; farmed crocodiles owned by J.K. Mercado and Sons Agricultural Enterprises, Inc. (JKMSAEI).

Keeping a balance between social responsibility and business, the company is raising two kinds of crocodile species: Crocodylus mindorensis and Crocodylus porosus. Already endangered, the former is bred for conservation; while the latter is reproduced for trade. The successful farm now breathes life to the 1st Crocodile Slaughterhouse in Mindanao, which has established a good international reputation.

Journey to the municipality of Sto. Tomas and discover new learning at the Municipal Ecological Park and Ecology Center and Municipal Organic and Production Learning Center, both commended for being model sites of learning and practicing green technologies. It is also famous for its crocodile farm where you can find more than 6,000 fresh water reptiles in a 10-hectare property. The triumph in raising these crocodiles gave birth to the first crocodile slaughterhouse in Mindanao.

Tagum City "Musikahan Festival"

Banana Beach Resort

Tagum City Hall

CITY OF TAGUM

Spectacular Tagum

The City of Golden Opportunities, The Palm City of the Philippines, The Music Capital of the South, The City of Festivals, The Cultural Center of Mindanao and The City of Parks.

These are just some of the renowned titles the blooming capital City of Tagum has earned by now in just over a decade of existence.

Fresh bananas remain as the chief export product of the city, ahead of other export goods like wood chips, veneer plywood, and wood lumber.

However, its tourism sector, which has also become one of the city’s main economic powerhouses, features the Banana Beach and elevated walk in Madaum, river cruise at Tancuan and Balinaon Rivers, La Filipina Cemetery, Giant Rosary, Mary Wood’s Shrine in Magdum and the bustling city night market.

With fourteen festivals in the city’s calendar, small and medium entrepreneurs, or SMEs, and the transportation sector have benefited from the rapid influx of domestic and international visitors visiting the various festivals in the City.

Whizz to one of the countrys fastest developing urban centers. Tagum City was cited as one of the 20 most viable and most competitive business sites in the Philippines by the Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project. It is also known for many things - its world-renowned Musikahan sa Tagum Festival; Banana Beach, the worlds only beach resort and nature park within a banana plantation; its river cruise and mangrove preservation in Tancuan; the 31-hectare eco-tourism site, San Agustin Botanical Garden; Christ the King Cathedral, which houses Asias biggest rosary; its multi-awarded Night Market; the utra-modern City Hall Complex; among many others.

Ata-Manobo Tribe

MUNICIPALITY OF TALAINGOD

Rich Cultural Heritage

Native, indigenous, and the best word for it would be from the local dialect – Lumad. Famous for their Kalibulongan Festival, Lino’ob Food, Liyang-Bagtok and Highland View Park and Landscape, Talaingod or “Mountain people was created on July 29, 1991 by virtue of RA 7081 which comprises of three barangay or villages, namely Barangay Dagohoy, Barangay Palma Gil and Barangay Sto. Nino.

Talaingod boasts of rich natural resources that include a 6,000-hectare virgin forest, the 500-ft Mt. Masimalon, the 60-meter Kalapat Falls, the Nabantalan Cave, the seven-hectare Kilomayon Lake and many more. Rubber, pineapple and abaca, upland rice and corn farming have their respective identified areas.

Ata-Manobo hits seventy two percent (72%) of the inhabitants of Talaingod. Cebuanos compose only 7% of the total population, while the Mandaya at 2.59%. Migrants from Bohol, Leyte, Iloilo, Ilocos, Agusan, Surigao and Davao compose the rest of the populace.

Journey into the tribal town of Talaingod, home of the Ata-Manobo tribe and davao del Nortes living cultural showcase. Here, you can immerse with the tribes and experirnce their rich cultures, and celebrate with them the Kalibulongan Festival, a celebration of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. Talaingod also boasts of rich natural reserves, such as a 6,000-hectare virgin forest, the 500 foot Mt. Masimalon, the 60-meter kalapat Falls, the Nabantalan Cave, and Kilomayon Lake.