CHAPTER

14

Region 11 – Davao Region

This chapter presents the major tourist destination areas of Davao Region. The major
discussions will be on access, health and safety issues, geographical characteristics, major attractions,
gastronomy and distinctive cultural attributes of the region related to the development and promotion
of tourism in the Philippines.

Objectives
At the end of the chapter, students should be able to:

1. identify the different major attractions, activities, accommodations, and cultural highlights in
the provinces within the Davao Region;
2. create different tour packages that carry different types of tourism activities within the region;
and
3. assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the region in terms of the 4 As
of tourism.
Introduction
Davao Region or Region XI is located on the south-eastern portion of Mindanao. Davao
Region has many attractions and activities to offer to the tourists. It has a variety of sceneries
such as fruit plantations, orchid farms, volcano and valleys. The country’s highest peak, Mt.
Apo, can also be found in Davao.

The regional center is Davao City and has five provinces, namely:
 Compostela Valley;
 Davao del Norte;
 Davao del Sur;
 Davao Oriental; and
 Davao Occidental.

Fast Facts
Land Area Major No. of
Capital (in hectares) Industries No. of Towns and
Cities Municipalities
Agricultural,
Compostela Nabunturan 466,693 Fishing, Mining 0 11
Valley Livestock,

Agriculture,
Davao City - 244,400 Wood Industry, - -
Mining, Fishing

Aquaculture,
Davao Del Norte Tagum City 346,282 Trading and 3 8
Services,
Quarrying
Industry, Wood
Industry
Agriculture,
Davao Del Sur Digos City 393,401 Fishing, 1 14
Livestock
Agriculture,
Davao Oriental Mati City 516,446 Fishing, Cottage 1 10
Industry
Agriculture,
Davao Occidental Malita 216,345 Fishing 0 5
A. Ports of Access

Davao International Airport

Mati Airport

Manila to Davao City

Regional Road Network

The major gateway to Davao is through the Davao International Airport. An extensive road
from Manila and within the region makes travel to, from, and within Davao Convenient.
By Air: There are daily flights from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Davao International
Airport by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, and Philippines Air Asia with a travel time of
two (2) hours. There are also flights to this city from Singapore, Indonesia, and Hong Kong. On
the other hand, Mati Airport is considered as the secondary airport, with facilities operated
and owned by private entities.
By Sea: WG&A Superferry offers ferry services from Manila to Davao City twice a week. The
trip takes approximately more than two days. Philtranco buses also offers Manila to Davao City
services via RORO. The travel takes approximately 48 hours.
By Land: The Davao Region can be accessed through land travel from Region X (Northern
Mindanao), Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN), and Region XIII (CARAGA).
Getting Around: There are different modes of transportation used to get around Davao. Air-
conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses travel to major destinations in Davao Region.
Traveling around the cities or municipalities, jeepneys are popular and are cheap means of
transportation. Taxis, car for lease, and motorcycles for lease are also available. Outside the
main roads, pedicabs and tricycles are present.
B. Attractions and Activities

Historical, Cultural and Natural Attractions Built Attractions

Heritage Attractions
 Maragusan Mansaka  Tagbibinta Falls  Aguacan Cold Spring
Community  White Peak Resort
Compostela  Kumbilan Cave  Dizon Farms
Valley  Mahayahay Cave  Toyuzu Inland Resort
 Lunod Island
 Beach View Resort
 Lake Leonard
 Japanese Tunnel  Mt. Apo  Davao Crocodile Park
 San Pedro Cathedral  Samal Island  Philippine Eagle Center
 Holy Infant Jesus of  Sicao Falls  Deca Wakeboard Park
Prague Shrine  Malagos Garden Resort
Davao City  Old Japanese House  Outland Adventurre
 Tribu K’Mindanawan Camp
 Davao Museum  People’s Park
 Museo Dabawenyo
 Veterans Memorial  Madgao River  TADECO Banana
Shrine  Suaon Nature Park Plantation
Davao Del  Ata-Manobo Tribe  Casilac Falls  Ace Flower Garden
Norte  Panas Falls  Nestle Experimental
 Kabyawan Falls Demonstration Farm
 Organic Rice Farm
 Mariculture Park
 Kublai Art Garden  Lake Mirror  Passig Islet
 Benedictine Monastery  Sibulan River  Camp Sabros
Davao Del  Virgin Falls  Mt. Apo Civet Coffee
Sur  Marawer Hot Spring Farm
 Mandaya Village  Aliwagwag Falls  Menzi Tourism Complex
 Caraga Church  Philippine Eagle  Provincial Capitol Park
 Pusan Point Sanctuary  Subangan Museum
Davao  Saoquegue Cave  Mt. Hamiguitan Bonsai
Oriental  Altar Cave of San Forest
Agustin  Tinagong Dagat
 Sigaboy Island
 Dahican Beach
 Malita Museo  Little Boracay Beach  Culaman Lighthouse
Resort
Davao  Balut Island
Occidental  Sabang Hot Spring
  Tuke Maklang
 Kipanan Falls

C. Range of Accommodations
Budget Mid-Range High-End
(less than P1,500 (P1,500 to P3,000 (at least P3,000
per night) per night) Per night)
 Aguacan Cold spring  Heaven’s Peak Highland
Compostela Resort Resort
Valley  Kanlawig Hot Spring  PJRB Inland Resort and
Resort Hotel
 Deca Wakeboard Park  Ponce Suites Gallery Hotel  Microtel Inn And Suites
 Waxze Bed and Breakfast  Be-ing Suites  Sumo Asia Hotels
 Housemates Dormitel  Crown Regency Residences  Park Inn by Radisson
 Park Avenue Residences, Davao Davao
Inn & Suites  Orangge Grove Hotel  Waterfront Insular
 Sequia Inn  Heaven’s Peak Highland Hotel Davao
Davao City  Las Casitas de Angela II Resort  Marco Polo
 GK Business Hotel  Urban Living Zen Hotel
 Pacific Palm Suites  Chateau del Mar Resort and
 Big Apple Hotel Spa
 My Hotel  Hotel Tropika Davao
 Go Hotels Lanang-Davao
 The Metropolis Suites
Davao
 Anisabel Suites
 Home Crest HOtel
 Ecoland Suites
 North Palm Hotel and
Garden
 Japanese Tunnel Hotel
 Lakan’s Place  Hijo Resorts Davao  Big 8 Corporate Hotel
 Rainbow Romanz Garden  Penny Lane Hotel and
Inn Casino
 Golden Palace Hotel  Banana Beach Resort
 Lucky 9 Budget Hotel
Davao Del  The Royale House Travel
Norte Inn and Dormitel
 King’s Haven Hometel
 RGB Tourist Inn Hotel
 Maria Cristina Hotel  Plaza Alemania Hotel  Alan Sr. Residences
 Red-C Residences  Caprice Residences
Davao Del
Sur  Celadon Pensionne House
 StayLite Suites
 Mindanao Civic Center
 Jared Andre Apartelle
 Bethany Gardens
 Mt. Apo Resort
 Camp Sabros
 Avenue One Hotel
 Hotel de Crisbelle

Davao  Señora Suites  Botona Beach Resort  Tropical Kanakbai

Oriental  Surf Village Hostel  Villa Merced Hotel  Pacific Breeze
 Lane’s Kalapyahan  Blue Ocean Inn
Davao  Little Boracay Beach  Arizona Beach Resort 
Occidental Resort
 Jill’s Garden Resort

D. Food and Delicacies

Compostela Davao Davao del Davao del Davao Davao
Valley City Norte Sur Oriental Occidental
 L’lulot na  Kinilaw or  Amik  Rice Pinaksiwng Seafoods (crabs,
Baboy Sinugba  Daral Ratrat
bibingka
(Palakang Bukid)
 Panyalam  Crocodile sisig (Bukayo)  Binangkal Kasili (eel)
 Yombol’l  Fresh fruits  Jampok  Nilutlot Sawugnun
 Amik (durian, marang,  Panyalam Wabang
 Nilamburan mangosteen,  Banana Kamansi
nga suman etc.) chips Murawu (red-
 Sikwate  Binignit or peeled banana)
ginataan Ubod
 Dinuguan Duck eggs
 Sutokil
 Inato

E. Recommended Pasalubong
Pasalubong – Davao Region
 T’nalak Cloth Products (bags, shoes, slippers, decors)
 Souvenir Shirts
 Durian Fruit Candies
 Civert Coffee
 Cavendish Bananas
 Chocolates
 Pastel
 Sans Rival
F. Festival and Special Events
Compostela Valley
 Kaimonan Festival - (June 17) thanksgiving celebration for the bountiful harvest.
 Diwanag Festival - (December 5-26) in celebration of the Christmas season, the
festival showcase different Christmas lights decoration.
 Dapugan Festival - (May 28) a gathering to celebrate the abundance of coastal
resources of the town Mabini.
 Fruit Festival - (October 20) a thanksgiving celebration for the bountiful harvest by
showcasing each town’s most known products.
 Bulawan Festival - (March 1-8) literally means festival of gold; it is to celebrate the
unified government, sustained good harvest, and abundant resources. It is
symbolized by the gold Solidarity Ring-the biggest ring in the country.
Davao City
 Kadayawan Festival - (3 rd week of August) a celebration of life and serenity of living,
and a thanksgiving for bountiful harvest.
 Pista sa Kinaiyahan - (April 23-26) features tree planting activities and clean-up
drives to promote the conservation of the Mt. Apo.
 Araw ng Dabaw - (March 16) commemoration of the founding anniversary of Davao
City-the largest city in Mindanao. It includes cultural presentations, trade fairs,
grand gala fashion show, and colorful civic-military parade.
Davao del Norte
 Panagtugbu Festival - (March 1-7) a celebration of unity and peace
 Banana Festival - (1 st week of July) commemorates the founding anniversary of
Tagum City by showcasing its biggest economic contributor-banana products.
 Pangapog Festival- (1 st week of August) a celebration of thanksgiving at the Island
Garden of Samal for bountiful harvest.
 Andaon Festival - (1 st week of September) thanksgiving festival for good harvest
and good health of the local people.

Davao del Sur

 Bansaulog Festival - (September 12-18) to commemorate the founding day of
Bansalan, Davao del Sur; showcases the agricultural products of the town.
 Dorong Festival - (June 14-18) features activities such as agro-tourism fair, cultural
presentations, Bagobo ritual presentation, and street dancing.
  Sinab’badan Festival - (September 5-6) to celebrate unity among different tributes
in the town of Sta. Cruz by showcasing indigenous art, music, and dances.
Davao Oriental
 Bauldayawan Festival - (3rd week of June) a thanksgiving festival for the good and
abundant in the town of San Isidro.
 Banayan Festival - (3rd week of October) a thanksgiving festival for the good and
abundant harvest in the town of Banaybanay, the rice granary of the province.
 Sambukokan Festival - (last week of October) a showcase of the culture of different
tribes through their cultural presentations; also includes other activities such as
agri-industrial trade fair and exhibits.
 Mango Festival - (June 18) showcase the abundance of mangoes in the town of San
Isidro.
Davao Occidental
 Ginaway Festival - (November) to preserve and showcase the old cultural practice
of the indigenous Tagacaolo tribe that comprises the 80% of the population of
Malita, Davao Occidental.

G. Major Cultural Groups

There is quite a number of cultural groups within Davao Region. These include Cebuano,
Buholano, Ilonggo, Maguindanaos, Maranaos, Manobos, T’bolis, Bagobos, B’laans,
Samals, and Agtas.
The Manobos group occupies a wide area of distribution within the provinces of
Saranggani, Agusan sel Sur, Davao provinces, Bukidnon, and North and South Cotabato.
The different sub-groups are highly dispersed on high mountain ridges adapting to
various environmental niches and self-contained variations of a generalized culture.
Cultivation is multi cropped and inter cropped to include rice, corn, legumes, yam, and
sweet potato which is supplemented by hunting and food gathering. Leadership is placed
on a powerful and skilled person known as the datu. Several datus will unite under a
more sovereign datu through a political pyramid with a sultan and a rajah muda holding
sway in a larger territory. There is a male bias in decision-making and leadership where
the women occupy a subordinated position in society. There is now an overlap of the
national government. The Manobos have been highly Christianized and has given away to
the national education system and commercial clothing.
 The Maranaos have settled by Lake Lanao; hence, the title “People of the Lake”. They
profess Islam and live 2,200 feet above sea level. They practice dry rice agriculture in hilly
areas and wet land cultivation in the flood plains. Fishing in the lake is an important
source of food but this has widely declined through the years as the Maranaos have
become widely distributed all over the country and are normally associated with
economic and market trade with their skill and artistry in weaving and metal craft. The
malong (or tube skirt) originates from them and is known to be a very versatile piece of
clothing that serves many purposes – as a skirt, dress, and shawl, among its many uses.
The communities congregate around a mosque and a torogan (royal house that belongs
to the leading household in the area).
The T’boli live in scattered settlements in the highlands of Southern Cotabato, particularly
Lake Sebu, Lake Selutan, and Lake Lahit. Family clusters of 15 households or more are
gathered within shouting distance from the next cluster. The head of each grouping is a
datu, and each settlement has a ceremonial house called gono bong (big house). In recent
yeats, the backloom textile T’nalak has made the T’bolis popular. The traditional cloth is
hand-woven abaca whose designs are dream-inspired and spirit-infused. Women who
weave this cloth practice abstinence to maintain the purity of their heart and it takes
months to produce. The T’nalak designs are passed on from generations from their
mothers and grandmothers.

H. Language and Dialects Spoken

Languages and dialects spoken include Davaoeño, Cebuano, Mandayan,
Dibabawon, Mansakan, Manobo, Pilipino, English, and others.

Travel Trivia
Davao City is the largest city in the world with a land area of 244,000
hectares.
(Source: National Economic Development Authority)