Surigao del Sur
Surigao del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Caraga Region (Region XIII). The province covers roughly 4,932.70 square kilometers and is composed of 17 municipalities and 2 cities, with a total of 309 barangays. The capital of the province is Tandag, which also serves as the provincial center. Surigao del Sur is also known for its natural wonders, including the Enchanted River in Hinatuan and Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig.
HISTORY
Surigao del Sur, located in northeastern Mindanao, was originally inhabited by indigenous groups such as the Mamanwa, Mandaya, and other Lumad peoples, who lived off hunting, fishing, and small-scale farming. The area came under Spanish influence in the late 16th century when explorers and missionaries arrived, introducing Christianity and establishing settlements along the coast. During the Spanish colonial period, Surigao del Sur was part of the larger Surigao Province, administered as a district with limited infrastructure. The Spanish era brought trade, religion, and cultural influences, shaping the local communities while many interior areas remained under the control of indigenous groups. During the American period in the early 20th century, Surigao became part of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu, and in 1960, Surigao Province was divided into Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, giving the latter its own provincial government and administrative autonomy. Since then, Surigao del Sur has developed its economy through agriculture, fishing, and natural resource management, while becoming known for its scenic sites like the Enchanted River, Tinuy-an Falls, and coastal areas. The province continues to preserve its indigenous culture and heritage while balancing growth, tourism, and environmental conservation.
QUICK FACTS | |
| Population Census (2024) | 648,858 |
| Land Area (2015) | 4,932.70 km² |
| No. of households | 150,551 |
| Average Household Size | 4.25 |
| Registered Voters (2022) | 449,070 |
| Major Landmarks | Enchanted River |
| Coastal Access | yes |
| Estimated elevation above sea level | 128 meters |
Map
Surigao del Sur Province is located in the Caraga Region (Region XIII) of the Philippines. It is situated in the northeastern part of Mindanao, bordered on the north by Surigao del Norte, on the south by Davao Oriental and the Philippine Sea, on the east by the Pacific Ocean, and on the west by Agusan del Sur.
MUNICIPALITIES POPULATION DATA
Surigao del Sur has 17 municipalities, 2 cities and 309 barangays.
| name | type | barangay_count | population_2020 | population_2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barobo | Municipality | 21 | 53146 | 53729 |
| Bayabas | Municipality | 7 | 8979 | 9016 |
| Bislig | City | 24 | 99290 | 99872 |
| Cagwait | Municipality | 11 | 21747 | 22305 |
| Cantilan | Municipality | 17 | 34060 | 34233 |
| Carmen | Municipality | 8 | 11760 | 11859 |
| Carrascal | Municipality | 14 | 24586 | 25672 |
| Cortes | Municipality | 12 | 17924 | 18023 |
| Hinatuan | Municipality | 24 | 43841 | 44475 |
| Lanuza | Municipality | 13 | 13642 | 13750 |
| Lianga | Municipality | 13 | 33869 | 34213 |
| Lingig | Municipality | 18 | 35142 | 35203 |
| Madrid | Municipality | 14 | 16653 | 16872 |
| Marihatag | Municipality | 12 | 19441 | 19730 |
| San Agustin | Municipality | 13 | 22855 | 23612 |
| San Miguel | Municipality | 18 | 41809 | 41942 |
| Tagbina | Municipality | 25 | 41051 | 41157 |
| Tago | Municipality | 24 | 39831 | 40097 |
| Tandag | City, Capital | 21 | 62669 | 63098 |
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population by Age Group
Based on the 2020 Census, the largest age group is 5-9 years, with 72,476 individuals, followed closely by those aged 10-14 years (69,366) and below 5 years (66,390). In contrast, the smallest population is found in 80 years and above, with only 6,362 individuals.
| age | population_2020 |
|---|---|
| Below 5 | 66390 |
| 5-9 | 72476 |
| 10-14 | 69366 |
| 15-19 | 65197 |
| 20-24 | 56307 |
| 25-29 | 50475 |
| 30-34 | 44303 |
| 35-39 | 38200 |
| 40-44 | 34208 |
| 45-49 | 31282 |
| 50-54 | 29110 |
| 55-59 | 25665 |
| 60-64 | 21135 |
| 65-69 | 15222 |
| 70-74 | 10044 |
| 75-79 | 6513 |
| 80+ | 6362 |
Population by Gender Distribution (2020)
In 2020, the population was composed of approximately 51.50% males and 48.50% females, indicating a higher number of males than females.
ECONOMY
Production Value of Agriculture and Fisheries in Surigao del Sur (in Million Pesos)
Agricultural Production Trends from 2018 to 2023 show that crops remain the dominant sector, though with some fluctuations. Livestock numbers generally increased until 2021, reaching 1,260, then slightly decreased to 1,083 in 2023. Poultry production showed minor fluctuations, peaking at 338 in 2022 before dropping to 199 in 2023. Fisheries steadily grew over the years, reaching the highest value of 4,049 in 2023, indicating a strong upward trend in the fishing sector.
| title | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Crops | 7510 | 6649 |
| Livestock | 1188 | 1083 |
| Poultry | 338 | 199 |
| Fisheries | 3317 | 4049 |