Davao Occidental
Davao Occidental is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region (Region XI) of Mindanao. Covering 2,163.45 square kilometers, it is composed of 5 municipalities and 105 barangays. Malita is the provincial capital and center. The province is known for its rich marine resources, pristine beaches, indigenous cultures, and emerging eco-tourism destinations such as diving spots along its coastal areas.
HISTORY
Davao Occidental is the youngest province in the Philippines, created on October 28, 2013, through Republic Act No. 10360 signed by President Benigno Aquino III. It was carved out of the southern part of Davao del Sur, composed of the municipalities of Sta. Maria, Malita, Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, and Sarangani. Malita was designated as the capital. Its creation was intended to improve governance and service delivery in geographically remote areas. Since then, the province has been focusing on agriculture, fisheries, and eco-tourism, while also promoting indigenous heritage and sustainable development.
QUICK FACTS | |
| Population (2024) | 317,958 |
| Land Area (2015) | 2,163.45 km² |
| No. of Households | 78,185 |
| Average Household Size | 4.05 |
| Registered Voters | 205,737 |
| Major Landmarks | Mt. Kiamo and Mt. Tibanban Ranges |
| Coastal Access | Yes |
| Elevation | 142 meters above sea level |
Map
Davao Occidental is located in the southwestern part of Mindanao. It is bordered on the north by Davao del Sur, on the east by Davao Gulf, and on the west and south by Sarangani and the Celebes Sea.
MUNICIPALITIES POPULATION DATA
Davao Occidental has 5 municipalities and 105 barangays. Malita, the capital, is the most populous municipality.
| name | type | barangay_count |
|---|
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population by Age Group (2020)
The largest age group in 2020 was 5–9 years with 39,375 individuals, followed by 10–14 years (38,764) and below 5 years (38,121). The smallest age group was 75–79 years with only 1,955 individuals.
| age |
|---|
Population by Gender (2020)
In 2020, Davao Occidental’s population was composed of 51.87% males and 48.13% females.
ECONOMY
Agricultural and Fisheries Production (2018–2023)
From 2018 to 2023, crop production in Davao Occidental rose from ₱6,558 million to ₱8,472 million. Livestock production dipped in 2020 but recovered to ₱697 million in 2023. Poultry production peaked in 2022 at ₱240 million before dropping sharply to ₱53 million in 2023. Fisheries production varied, increasing from ₱1,622 million in 2018 to a high of ₱2,959 million in 2022 before declining to ₱1,674 million in 2023.
| title | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Crops | 7450 | 8472 |
| Livestock | 581 | 697 |
| Poultry | 240 | 53 |
| Fisheries | 2959 | 1674 |