77-740: Caraga , officially the Caraga Administrative Region (or simply known as Caraga Region ) and designated as Region XIII , is an administrative region in the Philippines occupying the northeastern section of Mindanao . The region was created through Republic Act No. 7901 on February 23, 1995. The region comprises five provinces: Agusan del Norte , Agusan del Sur , Dinagat Islands , Surigao del Norte , and Surigao del Sur ; six cities: Bayugan , Bislig , Butuan (a highly-urbanized city), Cabadbaran , Surigao and Tandag ; 67 municipalities and 1,311 barangays . Butuan ,
154-1038: A "special development and administrative region", and was thus given the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA); the Metro Manila Council within the MMDA serves as the National Capital Region's RDC. The 1987 Constitution allows for the creation of autonomous regions in the Cordillera Central of Luzon and the Muslim-majority areas of Mindanao . However, only the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and its predecessor,
231-401: A 16.65% increase, from ₱61,815.00 in 1997 to ₱72,108.00 in 2000. The average annual savings slipped by 5% from ₱9,911.00 to ₱9,411.00. Poverty incidence data for 2003 is not yet available. On a national and Mindanao-wide perspective, Caraga Region is one of the most impoverished regions in the country. The region has the fourth highest poverty incidence level of families among all the regions in
308-421: A 5.6% growth rate. Moreover, the trade subsector continued to be the dominant subsector posting a 5.6%, 6.6% and 6.3% growth rate in 2001 to 2003 respectively. It is significant to note that all the subsectors posted positive growth rates in 2001 and 2003. The transportation, communication and storage sub-sector posted the highest growth rate of 8.4% among the sub-sectors in the services sector. The industry sector
385-648: A harbinger of increased economic activity in the province. Surigao Norte posted the biggest decrease in exports for 2002 (63.17%). In 2000, the region contributed 1.87% to Mindanao's exports; this expanded to 2.68% in 2001 only to decrease to 0.77% in 2002. The region is noted for its wood-based economy, its extensive water resources and its rich mineral deposits such as iron, gold, silver, nickel, chromite, manganese and copper. Its leading crops are palay (rice), banana and coconut. The region features several beaches, abundant seafood, hot and cold springs, evergreen forests and balmy weather. Caraga's most famous attraction today
462-659: A roll-on, roll-off (RORO) ferry service now in place, Surigao City serves as a vital transportation link for trucks and buses bound for Luzon. The region contains one of the last ecological frontiers of the Philippines. It is home to 12 Key Biodiversity Areas identified by Haribon Foundation and the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources . The Key Biodiversity Areas include: Mt. Kambinliw and Mt. Redondo in Dinagat Islands which
539-450: A total land area of 18,846.97 square kilometres (7,276.86 sq mi), representing 6.3% of the country's total land area and 18.5% of the island of Mindanao. 47.6% of the total land area of the region belongs to the province of Agusan del Sur. Of the total land area, 71.22% is forestland and 28.78% is alienable and disposable land. Major land uses include forestland comprising 31.36% and 23.98% of agricultural and open spaces. The region
616-510: A total land area of 2,156,285 hectares (5,328,300 acres) or 7.2% of the country's total land area. 52% of its total land area is classified as forestland and 48% as alienable and disposable land. There are two types of climate prevailing in the region under the Coronas system of classification : Type II and Type IV. Type II climate is characterized by having no dry season but a pronounced maximum rainfall from November to January. Samar Island and
693-594: Is Siargao Island, a surfing destination in Dinagat Islands. Major agricultural products of the region include palay, corn, coconut, gold, banana, rubber, oil palm, calamansi, prawns, milkfish , crabs, seaweeds and mango. Caraga's proximity to Cebu and Manila makes it a favorable shipping point for products to and from these markets. Nasipit Port can serve as a secondary shipping hub to Cagayan de Oro when traffic volume from other points in Mindanao increases. With
770-429: Is a grouping of geographically adjacent LGUs that may be established, disestablished, and modified by the president of the Philippines based on the need to formulate coherent economic development policies, more efficiently provide national government services, and coordinate activities beneficial to the development of larger area beyond the province level. No plebiscites have been conducted so far to democratically confirm
847-418: Is an administrative region in the Philippines , designated as Region VIII . It consists of three main islands: Samar , Leyte , and Biliran . The region has six provinces : Biliran , Leyte , Northern Samar , Samar , Eastern Samar , Southern Leyte , one independent city , Ormoc , and one highly urbanized city , Tacloban (its regional center and largest city). The highly urbanized city of Tacloban
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#1732772788562924-885: Is characterized by mountainous areas, flat and rolling lands. Mountain ranges divide Agusan and Surigao provinces and sub-ranges separate most of the lowlands along the Pacific coast. The most productive agricultural area of the region lies along the Agusan River Basin. The well-known Agusan Marsh sits in the middle of Agusan del Sur. Among the lakes in the region, Lake Mainit is the widest. It traverses eight municipalities: Alegria , Tubod , Mainit and Sison in Surigao del Norte, and Tubay , Santiago , Jabonga and Kitcharao in Agusan del Norte. Caraga Region has Type II climate, with no pronounced wet and dry season. During
1001-483: Is famous for its Hinatuan Enchanted River; Bislig Rainforest between Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur; and Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Agusan del Sur which is part of the UNESCO Tentative List Siargao , popularly known as the "surfing capital of the Philippines", hosts an annual international surfing event. The huge "pacific rollers" have been ranked among the top five breaks in
1078-556: Is home to several minority groups, totaling 675,722 in 1995, representing 34.7% of the region's population. Most numerous were the Manobos with 294,284 or 43.55% of the ethnic minorities. Other cultural groups in the region with significant populations were the Kamayos , Higaonons, Banwaons, Umayamnons, Kalagans , and Mamanwas . Other significant minority residents in the province include: Most members of these cultural groups reside in
1155-553: Is home to the critically endangered Dinagat bushy-tailed cloud rat which was recently rediscovered after decades of disappearance, the endangered Dinagat hairy-tailed rat , Dinagat Gymnure which has been declared by the EDGE Species Programme of the Zoological Society of London as one of the top 100 most evolutionary distinct and globally endangered species in the world, and a strange sub-species of
1232-508: Is located in the municipality of Palompon , Leyte province. The Eastern Visayas State University is Leyte 's state university with five extension campuses. Southern Leyte State University with five extension campuses, is the only state university in the province of Southern Leyte . In Biliran , Naval State University is the province state university. For Eastern Samar , the Eastern Samar State University
1309-628: Is one of the biggest wetlands in the country and is host to diverse species of birds. Festivals include the Naliyagan Festival of Agusan del Sur, Kahimunan, Balangay, Kaliguan Festival of Cagwait in Surigao del Sur, Lisagan and the most famous in the region, the Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw festivals, in honor of its Patron Saint San Nicolas de Tolentino . Surfers from around the world converge in Siargao during
1386-424: Is primarily an agricultural region with rice , corn , coconut , sugarcane and banana as its major crops. Primary sources of revenue are manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade and services. Mining, farming, fishing and tourism contribute significantly to the economy. Manufacturing firms include mining companies, fertilizer plants, sugar central, rice and corn mills and other food processing plants. Tacloban
1463-543: Is regarded as one of the most expansive home of the critically endangered Philippine Eagle ; Magsaysay in Agusan del Norte; Mt. Kaluayan-Mt. Kinabalian which is shared between Agusan del Sur and Northern Mindanao's Bukidnon province; Cagwait in Surigao del Sur; Mt. Diwata Range which is shared between Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur and is a focal point in the West Mindanao Ecological Frontier; Hinatuan Bay in Surigao del Sur which
1540-408: Is the hub of investment, trade and development in the region. Other industries include coconut oil extraction, alcohol distilling, beverage manufacture and forest products. Home industries include hat and basket weaving, metal craft, needlecraft, pottery, ceramics, woodcraft, shell craft and bamboo craft. Tinikling , the Philippines' national dance is folkdance that originated from the region. But
1617-505: Is the revival of the Spanish province of the same name. The provinces of Agusan del Norte , Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Norte (of the former Northern Mindanao region) and Surigao del Sur (of the former Southern Mindanao region ) were annexed as part of the newly created region. The purpose of creating Caraga is accelerating social and economic development and delivery and distribution of public services. Caraga Region, situated in
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#17327727885621694-632: Is the sole regional center. These provinces and cities occupy the easternmost islands of the Visayas group of islands, hence the region's name. Some historians believe that the oldest ancient kingdom in the Philippines is found in this region, the Lakanate of Lawan, which plays a significant role in the Polynesian and Austronesian intermigration. Eastern Visayas faces the Philippine Sea to
1771-679: The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao , have been approved by voters in plebiscites held in 1989, 2001 , and 2019 . Voters in the Cordilleras rejected autonomy in 1990 and 1998 ; hence the Cordillera Administrative Region remains as a regular administrative region with no delegated powers or responsibilities. The Supreme Court has ruled that an autonomous region established by statute must be composed of more than one province, thereby invalidating
1848-724: The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao , has an elected government and parliament to which the Congress of the Philippines has delegated certain powers and responsibilities. Regions first came to existence on September 24, 1972, when the provinces of the Philippines were organized into eleven regions under Presidential Decree No. 1 as part of the Integrated Reorganization Plan of President Ferdinand Marcos . Since that time, other regions have been created and some provinces have been transferred from one region to another. As of June 30, 2024 ,
1925-836: The National Museum of the Philippines and other museums. Butuan also had cordial relations with the Kingdom of Champa in what is now central Vietnam. The Butuan people managed to cross the Sulu Sea and the South China Sea to reach Champa for trade. While the Rajahnate of Butuan was at large, the indigenous lumads of the inner sections of Caraga were free and had their own highly advanced democratic societies, known for their knowledge of nature, medicine, mythology, and warfare. Chinese traders eventually came into Butuan and
2002-557: The Philippine Tarsier which is unusually larger and darker in color than the common Philippine tarsier; Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape in Surigao del Norte which is the surfing capital of the country; Carrascal Bay in Surigao del Sur ; Consuelo and General Islands in Surigao del Sur ; Mt. Hilong-hilong which is shared by Agusan del Norte , Agusan del Sur , Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur and
2079-562: The nobility of the Surigaonon and Butuanon people , respectively, were encountered by the Magellan expedition in 1521 on the island of Limasawa (a hunting ground for the rulers). Antonio Pigafetta describes them as tattooed and covered in gold ornaments. Pigafetta also records the name of the Surigao region as "Calagan". He also describes the "balanghai" ( balangay ) warships they sailed. Linguist R. David Zorc suspects that
2156-729: The 'Oktubafest' every October to showcase the best local wine made from coconut palm called tuba . The region's Leyte and Samar islands serve as main link between Luzon and Mindanao by land transport. A total of nine airports, are strategically located in different parts of the six provinces that define the region. Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban is the main gateway by air to the region. There are seaports in Tacloban , Baybay , Laoang , Catbalogan , Calbayog , Borongan , Allen , Ormoc , Bato , Hilongos , Maasin , Sogod , and Naval . The Pan-Philippine Highway passes through
2233-404: The 2002–2003 period was the same (0.9%). This was much less than the growth of the population. This performance was better however than the region's performance in the 2000–2001 period, where the region's economy declined by 1.4%. The region's contribution to Mindanao's domestic product is 7.58% in 2003. Caraga has the second lowest per capital income among Mindanao regions and nationwide. In 2003,
2310-481: The Biliran Bridge, constructed in 1975, connects Biliran to the island of Leyte. The Wawa Bridge also connects Panaon Island to the island of Leyte. The region is the top producer of geothermal energy supply in the country. The province of Leyte hosts the biggest geothermal plant in the Philippines. Still, geothermal exploration is ongoing in the nearby province of Biliran . With abundance of river system,
2387-563: The Caraga Region, its inhabitants reportedly came from mainland Asia, followed by Malayans, Arabs, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish and Americans. Migrants from the Visayan and Luzon provinces later settled in the area. Most of its inhabitants speak Cebuano and live in rural areas. On February 23, 1995, the Caraga Region was created through Republic Act No. 7901 in the administration of President Fidel Ramos . The creation of Caraga Region
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2464-506: The Philippines is divided into 18 regions. The traditional island groups of Luzon , the Visayas , and Mindanao are composed of eight (Regions I, II, III, IV-A, and V, and CAR, NCR, and Mimaropa), four (VI, VII, VIII, and NIR), and six (IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, and BARMM) regions, respectively. The names of Calabarzon , Mimaropa , and Soccsksargen are acronyms signifying their component provinces and cities; and are usually capitalized in official government documents. An administrative region
2541-759: The Sino-Butuan trade became the focal point of Champa-Butuan relations, where the two nations competed against one another for better trade with the Chinese. Eventually, Butuan started to weaken due to massive attacks from Ternate. Cebu was unable to help at the time because it was also being attacked by Ternate. Likewise, the Kedatuan of Dapitan in Bohol , "The Venice of the Visayas", was also destroyed by an attack from Ternate. Rajah Siawi and Rajah Kulambo, members of
2618-600: The Spaniards having full control of Caraga, they started establishing Spanish-modeled centers to maximize their coverage and control over the territory, in which they succeeded. The Spaniards ruled the country until the United States defeated them in the Spanish-American War which led to the entire archipelago falling into American hands. The " Kalagan ", called "Caragan" by the Spaniards, occurred in
2695-569: The Sultanate of Ternate, the boat-making and goldsmithing traditions were eradicated and relations between coastal Butuan and the lumads of the interior became less known. The lumads of the interior were also converted to Christianity, which diminished some of their traditions on nature worship. The Spanish attacked the Sultanate of Ternate to negate any future attacks on Caraga, in which they succeeded, due to their much greater firepower. With
2772-581: The Tagalogs originated either in the general area of Caraga or Eastern Visayas . He traced the origins and prehistory of the Tagalogs based on linguistic evidence. Tagalog is classified as a Central Philippine language , and is therefore closely related to the Bisayan , Mansakan , and Bikol languages . When the Spaniards returned and subjugated the Rajahante of Butuan, already weak due to tensions with
2849-518: The administrative jurisdiction of Surigao and became the independent Agusan province in 1914. In 1960, Surigao was divided into Norte and Sur, and in June 1967, Agusan followed suit. While Butuan then was just a town of Agusan, the logging boom in the 1950s drew business to the area. On August 2, 1950, by virtue of Republic Act 523 , the City Charter of Butuan was approved. In the early years of
2926-828: The administrative regions in 1980, with some exceptions. Representation for the Interim Batasang Pambansa was mostly through parliamentary districts based on how regions were organized in 1978. Metro Manila was "Region IV", while Southern Tagalog was "Region IV-A". This was the only time the national legislature was represented via regions; in a 1984 plebiscite , voters approved a constitutional amendment that reverted to representation per province and city. The following are regions that no longer exist, listed along with their current status: Eastern Visayas Eastern Visayas ( Waray : Sinirangan Kabisay-an ; Cebuano : Sidlakang Kabisay-an ; Tagalog : Silangang Kabisayaan ; Filipino : Silangang Visayas )
3003-584: The annual international surfing competition. Regions of the Philippines In the Philippines , regions ( Filipino : rehiyon ; ISO 3166-2:PH ) are administrative divisions that primarily serve to coordinate planning and organize national government services across multiple local government units (LGUs). Most national government offices provide services through their regional branches instead of having direct provincial or city offices. Regional offices are usually but not necessarily located in
3080-501: The city designated as the regional center. As of 2024, the Philippines is divided into 18 regions. Seventeen of these are mere administrative groupings, each provided by the president of the Philippines with a regional development council (RDC) – in the case of the National Capital Region (Metro Manila), an additional metropolitan development authority serves as the coordinating and policy-making body. Only one,
3157-539: The country for years 1997 and 2000 while among Mindanao regions, Caraga has the third highest poverty incidence (in terms of incidence of families). The region performed fairly well in terms of regional output contributing 8.01% in 1998, 8.25% in 1999 and 8.29% in 2000 to the Mindanao GRDP. The region contributed 1.44% in 1998, 1.48% in 1999 and 1.50% in 2000, to the Philippine economy. In terms of growth rate,
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3234-547: The creation, abolition or alteration of the boundaries of regular administrative regions, as the Constitution does not mandate it. An administrative region is not a local government unit (LGU), but rather a group of LGUs to which the president has provided an unelected policy-making and coordinating structure, called the Regional Development Council (RDC). Metro Manila is recognized in law as
3311-488: The data on investments are partial at best and is not reflective of the whole investment level in the region. DTI Caraga's data does not include public investment figures. Exports decreased by 19.08% in the 2000–2001 period and 57.52% in 2001–2002. Agusan Norte, Surigao Norte and Surigao Sur posted negative growth rates in the 2000–2001 period, with Surigao Sur posting the biggest decrease in exports (81.31%). In 2002, Agusan Norte posted an impressive 741.04% increase in exports,
3388-433: The decrease. The forestry subsector grew by 36.3% in 2003, the highest growth rate for any subsector in the region. Caraga Region has the highest GVA in the forestry subsector among all regions in the Philippines. The services sector is also one of the bright spots in the region's economy. After experiencing a decelerated growth rate in 2002 compared to the previous year's 6.1% growth rate, the sector bounced back in 2003 with
3465-437: The decreasing trend in this subsector decelerated. The manufacturing offset the decrease in the two sub-sectors by growing at 8.9% in 2003, making it the biggest contributor to this sector. Even with the negative performance of the mining and quarrying sector, Caraga was the second highest producer of metallic minerals, with metallic mineral productions valued at PhP 1.25 billion in 2001 (Philippine Yearbook, 2003). Investments in
3542-718: The east-central section of the Philippine archipelago. It consists of three main islands, Leyte, Biliran, and Samar, which form the easternmost coasts of the archipelago. It is bounded on the east and north by the Philippine Sea with the San Bernardino Strait separating Samar from southeastern Luzon ; on the west by the Camotes and Visayan seas, and on the south by the Bohol Sea with the Surigao Strait separating Leyte from northeastern Mindanao . It has
3619-558: The east. The region's most famous landmark is the San Juanico Bridge , which links the islands of Samar and Leyte . As of 2020, the Eastern Visayas region has a population of 4,547,150 inhabitants, making it the least populous region in the Visayas. The current name of the region was derived from the position of its islands, which are all situated in the easternmost part of the Visayas . Eastern Visayas lies on
3696-539: The eastern part of Leyte Island fall under this type of climate. Type IV, on the other hand, has an even distribution of rainfall year-round and a short period of dry season that can be observed starting in February up to May. This type of climate is well exhibited in the western half of Leyte Island and in some portions of Samar, which covers the municipality of Motiong up to San Isidro in Northern Samar. As
3773-492: The entire province, starting from Allen in Northern Samar until Liloan in Southern Leyte, where it continues in Mindanao through a ferry service. The Palo-Carigara-Ormoc road is a spur of the aforementioned highway, connecting Cebu City to the network through a ferry ride from Ormoc. Bridges connect all the islands in the region. Apart from the famed San Juanico Bridge, which connects the islands of Samar and Leyte,
3850-732: The floating village of Barangay Dayasan, the Buenavista Cave; and the tropical white sand beaches in Sagisi island. The Britania in San Agustin-Surigao del Sur features 25 islets and islands of white sand and clusters of limestone hills. Biking trails within Kawas, Alabel City, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Siargao play host to cross-country and downhill competitions participated by local and international bikers. Mt. Mas-ai and Mt. Hilong-Hilong features panoramic views of
3927-595: The largest contiguous mangrove forests in the Philippines. Sohoton Cave and Lagoon in Bucas Grande Island, which is more than an hour boat ride from Siargao, features limestone formations to a point where one enters a narrow channel which soon becomes a cave. The limestone karst bedrock of some areas in Surigao and Agusan provinces (particularly in the towns of San Agustin, Tagbina, Lianga, Rosario, and Bislig) features several caves, but none of these are regular destinations for recreational cavers. Located within
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#17327727885624004-435: The months of November to February, heavy rains are usually experienced in the region. Caraga comprises 5 provinces , 1 highly urbanized city , 5 component cities, 67 municipalities , and 1,311 barangays . † Butuan is a highly urbanized city ; figures are excluded from Agusan del Norte. Based on the 2020 census, the total population of the region was 2,804,788. The annual growth rate over this period
4081-580: The most number of baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate courses among universities in the region. The Zonal Agricultural University for the Visayas under the National Agriculture Education System concept, Visayas State University (VSU) is also in the region, located in Baybay . Also, the region is home to Palompon Institute of Technology , a maritime school in the Philippines providing deck and engine cadet. Its main campus
4158-483: The most popular cultural dance among Waraynon s is the Kuratsa , danced during feast celebrations and special gatherings. The Leyte Kalipayan Dance Company , a local cultural group, held highly successful performances around the world. Waray people are music lovers whose folkloric music are mostly ballads in form, famous of which is Iroy nga Tuna (Motherland), a patriotic song. Since 2018, Eastern Visayas has held
4235-525: The most urbanized city in Caraga, serves as the regional administrative center. Caraga is named after the Kalagan people ( Spanish "Caragan"), a Mansakan subgroup (related to Visayans ) native to the regions of Davao and parts of Caraga who speak the Kalagan languages . The name itself is from kalagan (literally "[strong] spirited") which means "fierce" or "brave"; from kalag ("spirit" or "soul") in
4312-466: The native animistic anito religions. Hence, the whole Provincia de Caraga of AD 1622 was called region de gente animosa , that is "region of spirited folk". During pre-colonial times, the Rajahnate of Butuan ruled in what is now Agusan del Norte and Butuan . It had much influence on all of Caraga, portions of northern Mindanao , and the western side of Bohol . According to records, Butuan
4389-480: The needs of medium and heavy industries. Eastern Visayas consists of 6 provinces , 1 highly urbanized city , 1 independent component city, 5 component cities, 136 municipalities and 4,390 barangays . † Tacloban is a highly-urbanized city ; figures are excluded from Leyte province. The native languages of Eastern Visayas are: Poverty incidence of Eastern Visayas Source: Philippine Statistics Authority Eastern Visayas
4466-487: The northeast section of Mindanao, is between 8 00' to 10 30' N. latitude and 125 15' to 126 30' E. longitude. It is bounded on the north by the Bohol Sea ; on the south by the provinces of Davao del Norte , Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental of Region XI ; on the west by Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental of Region X ; and on the east by the Philippine Sea of the Pacific Ocean. The region has
4543-553: The period 2010–2015. Cebuano is spoken by 33.79% of the households in the region, the language serves as a lingua franca of the region, making it the second language of the majority of residents. Surigaonon is spoken by 33.21% of households, followed by Butuanon with 15%; Kamayo , 7.06%, and Manobo , 4.73%. The rest speak a Boholano dialect of Cebuano, 5.87%; Hiligaynon , 2.87%; and other languages and dialects, 7.20%–these include Ilocano , Kapampangan , Maranao , Maguindanaon and Tausug languages. The dominant religion in
4620-475: The proposed establishment of the Autonomous Region of Ifugao following the results of the original 1990 Cordillera autonomy plebiscite, which saw only Ifugao's voters casting a majority 'yes' vote towards autonomy. As far as the judiciary is concerned, specifically the first and second level courts, the country is divided into judicial regions as provided by Batas Pambansa Bilang 129 . The coverage of these judicial regions generally coincides with that of
4697-489: The province of Agusan del Sur . Poverty incidence of Caraga Source: Philippine Statistics Authority From 2001 to 2003, Caraga Region consistently maintained its performance vis-à-vis other regions in Mindanao. Caraga posted a 0.9% growth rate compared to the 9.5% growth rate of Region 12 and the 2.6% growth rate of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Caraga's growth rate in 2001–2002 and
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#17327727885624774-488: The region accelerated faster and outpaced the other regions in Mindanao from 1998 to 2000, except for the Southern Mindanao Region which posted a 6.06% increase in 1999–2000. Caraga Region recorded a 5.42% increase during the same period. GRDP in 2000 amounted to P14.336 billion as against the 1999 performance of P13.599 billion. The deceleration of the region's economy from 6.03% in 1999 to 5.42% in 2000
4851-400: The region accounted for 1.35% of the country's GNP. Poverty in the region decreased by 1.7% from 44.7% in 1997 to 42.9% in 2000. Another positive development is the increase in the regional annual family income based on the 1997 and 2000 Family Income and Expenditure Survey, which increased by 13.65% from ₱71,7126.00 in 1997 to ₱81,519.00 in 2000. Regional annual family expenditures also posted
4928-534: The region directly faces the Philippine Sea, typhoons coming from the east frequently strike the region, often at their peak intensities. This, along with the Bicol Region , are the most typhoon-prone areas in the Philippines. In 2013, the region was struck by Typhoon Haiyan , locally known as Super Typhoon Yolanda, which later became the deadliest and most destructive typhoon to hit the Philippines in
5005-429: The region fell by 25.4% from PhP 6.3 billion in 2002 to PhP 4.6 billion in 2003. All provinces in the region posted a negative growth rate in investments, with Agusan del Sur posting the biggest year-on-year decline of 62.6% for the 2002–2003 period. Agusan del Norte's percentage share on investments increased from 64.8% to 79.5% despite an 8.5% decline. Per advice of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Caraga office,
5082-455: The region has potential in hydroelectric production. The strait of San Juanico between Leyte and Samar islands has been declared as potential source for water current and tidal energy sources. Eastern Visayas is home to several state universities, including the prestigious University of the Philippines Tacloban College . The region is also home to the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP), located in Catarman , Northern Samar , which holds
5159-440: The region is Roman Catholic , with 74% of the total household population in Caraga. Significant religious minorities include Protestants that constitute 20% of the total household population and Aglipayan that constitute 6% of the total household population. The majority of the inhabitants of the region are of Visayan heritage. They are mostly descended from settlers from Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental . The province
5236-423: The region's GRDP growing by 0.9%, the same growth rate from the previous year. The agriculture, fishery and forestry (AFF) sector is Caraga's banner economic sector, exhibiting an increasing growth trend of 3.8% and 6.8% growth rates in 2001 and 2003 respectively. Despite the decreasing growth trend of the agriculture and fishery subsectors, the sizeable growth rate of the forestry subsector more than compensated for
5313-518: The satellite era. The region's sea and inland waters are rich sources of salt, freshwater fish, and other marine products. It is one of the main fish-exporting regions of the country. There are substantial forest reserves in the interiors of the islands. Its mineral deposits include chromite , uranium (in Samar), gold , silver , manganese , magnesium , bronze , nickel , clay , coal , limestone , pyrite and sand and gravel . It also has abundant geothermal energy and water resources to support
5390-559: The towns of Tagbina and Bislig, Banbow and Tatol caves (which are ranked the 6th and 9th longest caves in the Philippines) have recently been declared by the Japanese cave explorers as the third longest cave in the country. Some of the most frequently visited and accessible caves in the region are the Buenavista and Silop Caves in Surigao City and the Libas Cave in Jabonga-Agusan del Norte. These caves have limestone formations and naturally carved stalagmites, stalactites and columns. The 14,000-hectare (140 km) Agusan Marsh in Agusan del Sur
5467-415: The two provinces of Surigao, the northern part of Davao Oriental and eastern Misamis Oriental . In 1635, Caraga was fortified by 45 additional Spanish soldiers and household heads from Mexico , in 1670 a further 81 soldiers, and in 1672 still another 81. By the end of the 1700s, Caraga had 3,497 native families, protected by a company of Mexican soldiers. The two Agusan provinces were later organized under
5544-511: The vast lower Agusan Valley. Close to Mt. Mas-ai lies Lake Mainit , the fourth-largest lake in the country, with an area of 147 square kilometres (57 sq mi). Through the years, the lake has been a known lair for pidjanga, tilapia, kasili, banak, haw-an, gingaw, saguyon and igi. Migratory birds, pagosi and tabokali flowers are its intermittent added attractions. The 8,000-hectare (80 km) mangrove forests in Del Carmen form one of
5621-750: The world, including the "Cloud Nine" considered one of the world's top surfing waves. Other breaks, which offer exploratory surfing without crowds, are found in the towns of Cantilan , Tandag and Lanuza . The islets and islands of Guyam, Daku, Naked or Pansukian, La Janosa, Pig-ot, Dinagat, Bucas Grande, Britania and the General Island in Cantilan feature white-sand beaches which are ringed by coral reefs suitable for swimming and snorkeling. Other attractions include naturally-carved water channels amidst mangrove forests in Barangay Manjagao;
5698-531: Was attributed to the slowdown of the agriculture, fishery and forestry (AFF) and services sectors. The improved performance of the Industry sector, from 5.69% in 1999 to 6.69% in 2000, cushioned the effects of what could have been a slowdown of the region's economy. From the 1.4% decrease in the GRDP in 2000–2001, the GRDP bounced back in 2001–2002 by a 0.9% growth. The positive trend was maintained in 2002–2003, with
5775-507: Was in conflict with the Sultanate of Ternate in present-day Moluccas of Indonesia. The Ternateans would attack and ransack Butuan and its wealth, but Butuan always prevailed. Butuan had friendly relations with the Rajahnate of Cebu which it considered an ally. It became a powerful Hindu state much known for its goldsmithing and boat-making. Its people used gigantic boats known as balangay which carried numerous men. Relics of these gold crafts and giant boats have been unearthed and preserved by
5852-475: Was over 20%. Among the five provinces, Agusan del Sur registered the largest population at 739,657, and Dinagat Islands was the smallest at 128,117. Surigao del Norte was the fastest growing province with an annual average growth rate of 1.76% over the last five years, while Dinagat Islands was the slowest at 0.05% over the same period. Butuan and Surigao City had total populations of 372,910 and 171,107, respectively. Butuan recorded an annual growth rate of 1.62% in
5929-408: Was the worst performing sector of the regional economy with a continuous decline from 2001 to 2003. Although the sector's slide slightly decelerated in 2002 (-6.7% in 2002 from -13.3% decline in 2001), it contracted by -12.1% in 2003. The construction subsector had the largest decline of 16.6%, 11.3% and 33.5% in 2001, 2002 and 2003 respectively. The mining subsector also posted negative growth rates but
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