Tawi-Tawi
Tawi-Tawi is a province of the Philippines located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The province covers roughly 3,626.55 square kilometers and is composed of 11 municipalities, with a total of 203 barangays. The capital of the province is Bongao, which also serves as the provincial center. Tawi-Tawi is known for its stunning natural and cultural landmarks, including Bud Bongao, the province's sacred mountain, as well as its pristine islands and white-sand beaches such as those in Panampangan and Simunul, the site of the first mosque in the Philippines.
HISTORY
Tawi-Tawi, the southernmost province of the Philippines, has a history deeply rooted in Islam and maritime trade. Long before Spanish colonization, the area was part of the Sulu Sultanate, which extended influence across the Sulu Archipelago and even parts of Mindanao and Sabah. In 1380, Arab missionary Sheikh Karim-ul Makhdum arrived on the island of Simunul and introduced Islam, building the Sheikh Karimal Makhdum Mosque, the first mosque in the Philippines, which still stands today as a historical and religious landmark. The islands became important trading posts due to their location along vital sea routes, connecting the Philippines to Malaysia, Indonesia, and other parts of Southeast Asia. Tawi-Tawi's communities were traditionally engaged in fishing, boat-making, and trade, with Sama, Badjao, and Tausug as its main ethnolinguistic groups. During the Spanish colonial period, Tawi-Tawi, like the rest of the Sulu Archipelago, resisted colonization under the protection of the Sultanate of Sulu. It was only under American rule in the early 20th century that the region was more formally integrated into the Philippine state. Tawi-Tawi was originally part of Sulu Province until 1973, when Presidential Decree No. 302 created it as a separate province, recognizing its distinct cultural and geographic identity. Since then, Tawi-Tawi has developed as both a cultural and economic center of the Bangsamoro region. Today, it is celebrated for its rich Muslim heritage, pristine natural environment, and role as the gateway to the Philippines' maritime southern frontier.
QUICK FACTS | |
| Population Census (2024) | 482,645 |
| Land Area (2015) | 3,626.55 km² |
| No. of households | 74,768 |
| Average Household Size | 5.87 |
| Registered Voters (2024) | 255,632 |
| Major Landmarks | Bud Bongao |
| Coastal Access | yes |
| Estimated elevation above sea level | 4 meters |
Map
Tawi-Tawi Province is located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) of the Philippines. It is situated in the southernmost part of the country, bordered on the north by Sulu Province, on the west by the Sulu Sea, on the east by the Celebes Sea, and on the south by the international boundary with Malaysia's Sabah state.
MUNICIPALITIES POPULATION DATA
Tawi-Tawi has 11 municipalities and 203 barangays.
| name | type | barangay_count | population_2020 | population_2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bongao | Municipality, Capital | 35 | 116118 | 131887 |
| Languyan | Municipality | 20 | 37096 | 41587 |
| Mapun | Municipality | 15 | 30038 | 29218 |
| Panglima Sugala | Municipality | 17 | 48055 | 52657 |
| Sapa-Sapa | Municipality | 23 | 33580 | 37129 |
| Sibutu | Municipality | 16 | 34243 | 38070 |
| Simunul | Municipality | 15 | 34245 | 35616 |
| Sitangkai | Municipality | 9 | 37319 | 42172 |
| South Ubian | Municipality | 31 | 29583 | 31942 |
| Tandubas | Municipality | 20 | 34316 | 34702 |
| Turtle Islands | Municipality | 2 | 5683 | 7665 |
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population by Age Group
Based on the 2020 Census, the largest age group is below 5 years, with 69,224 individuals, followed closely by those aged 5-9 years (57,828) and 10-14 years (51,323). In contrast, the smallest population is found in 80 years and above, with only 1,059 individuals.
| age | population_2020 |
|---|---|
| Below 5 | 69224 |
| 5-9 | 57828 |
| 10-14 | 51323 |
| 15-19 | 46128 |
| 20-24 | 39353 |
| 25-29 | 36465 |
| 30-34 | 30416 |
| 35-39 | 27987 |
| 40-44 | 23805 |
| 45-49 | 19429 |
| 50-54 | 13261 |
| 55-59 | 8911 |
| 60-64 | 6334 |
| 65-69 | 4799 |
| 70-74 | 2629 |
| 75-79 | 1325 |
| 80+ | 1059 |
Population by Gender Distribution (2020)
In 2020, the population was composed of approximately 50.63% males and 49.37% females, indicating a higher number of males than females.
ECONOMY
Production Value of Agriculture and Fisheries in Tawi-Tawi
Agricultural Production Trends (2018–2023): Crops production showed steady growth overall, rising from 2,468 metric tons in 2018 to 2,923 metric tons in 2023, with slight fluctuations in between. Livestock production remained relatively small but stable, increasing from 131 in 2018 to 211 in 2023. Poultry production experienced slight ups and downs, starting at 156 in 2018 and settling at 100 in 2023. Fisheries consistently dominated the province's output, with a significant surge from 4,574 in 2018 to a peak of 12,608 in 2023, making it the leading contributor to Tawi-Tawi's economy.
| title | 2018 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Crops | 2468 | 2923 |
| Livestock | 131 | 211 |
| Poultry | 156 | 100 |
| Fisheries | 4574 | 12608 |