Sarangani

Sarangani is a province of the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region (Region XII). The province covers roughly 3,642.16 square kilometers and is composed of 7 municipalities and a total of 141 barangays. The capital of the province is Alabel, which also serves as the provincial center. Sarangani is known for Sarangani Bay, its abundant tuna fishing grounds, rich marine biodiversity, and vibrant cultural heritage.

HISTORY

Sarangani, located at the southern tip of Mindanao, was once part of the larger South Cotabato province. The area has been inhabited since ancient times by indigenous groups such as the Blaan, Tboli, and Tagakaulo, who thrived in the highlands through farming, weaving, and traditional crafts. Its coastal areas were frequented by seafaring peoples, including the Maguindanaons, Maranaos, and Tausugs, who engaged in trade and fishing across the Celebes Sea. In the pre-colonial era, Sarangani's strategic position along Sarangani Bay made it a hub of commerce, drawing traders from neighboring islands and as far as Malaysia and Indonesia. Spanish expeditions arrived in the 16th century, and Sarangani Bay was among the early areas charted, but strong resistance from local communities prevented deep colonial control. During the American and later Japanese occupations, the area remained mostly rural but was recognized for its fertile lands and rich marine resources. After World War II, waves of settlers from Luzon and the Visayas migrated to Mindanao, bringing with them new agricultural practices and industries that reshaped Sarangani's economy and demographics. For decades, it remained administratively part of South Cotabato until the Philippine Congress passed Republic Act No. 7228, signed into law on March 16, 1992, officially creating Sarangani as a separate province. Today, Sarangani is known not only for its agricultural and fishing industries, particularly tuna, but also for its cultural diversity and growing eco-tourism centered around Sarangani Bay and its surrounding natural landscapes.

QUICK FACTS
Population Census (2024)	580,915
Land Area (2015)	3,642.16 km²
No. of households	133,865
Average Household Size	4.17
Registered Voters (2022)	362,055
Major Landmarks	Sarangani Bay
Coastal Access	yes
estimated elevation above sea level	236 meters

Map

Sarangani Province is located in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region (Region XII) of the Philippines. It is situated at the southern tip of Mindanao, bordered on the north by South Cotabato and General Santos City, on the east by Davao Occidental, on the west by Sarangani Bay and the Celebes Sea, and on the south by the Celebes Sea.

MUNICIPALITIES POPULATION DATA

Sarangani has 7 municipalities and 141 barangays.

name	type	barangay_count	population_2020	population_2024
Alabel	Municipality, Capital	13	88294	90120
Gian	Municipality	31	109547	117017
Kaimba	Municipality	19	65774	68745
Maasim	Municipality	16	64940	67907
Matium	Municipality	19	44185	46120
Malapatan	Municipality	12	80741	82577
Mahugon	Municipality	31	105465	108429

DEMOGRAPHICS

Population by Age Group

Based on the 2020 Census, the largest age group is 5-9 years, with 66,808 individuals, followed closely by those aged below 5 years (64,992) and 10-14 years (64,506). In contrast, the smallest population is found in 80 years and above, with only 3,369 individuals.

age	population_2020
Below 5	64992
5-9	66808
10-14	64506
15-19	59117
20-24	51648
25-29	46152
30-34	39750
35-39	33936
40-44	30251
45-49	26781
50-54	22021
55-59	17399
60-64	13537
65-69	9362
70-74	5792
75-79	3525
80+	3369

Population by Gender

In 2020, the population was composed of approximately 51.79% males and 48.21% females, indicating a higher number of males than females.

ECONOMY

Production Value of Agriculture and Fisheries in Sarangani

From 2018 to 2023, Sarangani's agriculture sector showed steady growth and diversification. Crop production consistently increased throughout the years, proving it to be the backbone of the province's economy. Livestock production remained relatively stable with slight growth by 2023, while poultry experienced a decline in 2020 but managed to recover strongly in the following years. Fisheries showed the most significant improvement, with output more than tripling and peaking in 2022 before slightly decreasing in 2023. Overall, these trends highlight Sarangani's strength in farming, resilience in poultry, and the rising importance of fisheries in driving its economic progress.

title	2022	2023
Crops	11356	11403
Livestock	1429	1703
Poultry	724	976
Fisheries	5541	4938

BARANGAY