Caraga Region

REGION XIII

Definition

oRegion XIII or the Caraga Administrative Region is the newest region in the Philippines created under Republic Act No. 7901 on February 25, 1995.

oThe regional center is Butuan City.

Definition

It is composed of four provinces: oAgusan del

Norte,oAgusan del

SuroSurigao del

Norte oSurigao del

Sur

Geography

oIt is situated in the northeast section of Mindanao.o North: Bohol South: provinces of Davao, Compostela Valley & Davao Oriental of Region XI, West: Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental of Region XEast : Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

Etymology

The word Caraga originated from the Visayan word Kalagan; kalag meaning soul or people.

The region was called as the “Land of the Brave and Fierce People” by early chronicles because the region has a long history of being brave and fearless.

Population and Dialect

Majority of the population of the region speaks Cebuano about 43.79%.

Other dialects spoken are Surigaonon, Kamayo, Boholanon, Manobo, Butuanon and Hiligaynon.

Caraga is home to several minority groups, representing 34.7% of the region’s population. The most numerous were the Manobos.

City/Municipal

ity

Provinces Area in km2

Population

Total Density/km2

Butuan City Agusan Del Norte

816.62 298,378 365.38

Surigao City Surigao Del Norte 245.30 132,151 538.73

City of Bislig Surigao Del Sur 331.80 102,009 307.44

City of Bayugan

Agusan Del Sur

688.77 95,032 137.97

Prosperidad Agusan Del Sur

505.15 75,390 149.24

San Francisco

Agusan Del Sur

392.53 62,881 160.19

City of Cabadbaran

Agusan Del Sur

214.44 61,564 287.09

Buenavista Agusan Del Norte

475.61 53,059 111.56

City of Tandag

Surigao Del Sur

291.73 50,549 172.96

Esperanza Agusan Del Sur

1,355.48 47,569 35.16

ProvincesCaraga Region

Agusan Del Norte

is a second-class province and the smallest in the Caraga Region.

It is mountainous along its northeastern and western parts.

Indigenous people of the Mamanwa, Manobo and Higa-onon tribes populate her majestic mountains. 

Capital : Cabadbaran 

Kahimunan Festival

o Kahimunan Festival is Butuan’s way of showing its gratitude towards one of its patron saints, the Sto. Nino, also known as the Child Jesus.

o The word “Kahimunan” is from a dialect meaing the “gathering”. Kahimunan Festival is the city’s tribute to Sto. Nino for providing its residents with a bountiful harvest and many blessings.

o Celebrated every third Sunday of January in Butuan City.

Sumayajaw Festival

o Sumayajaw showcases the ethnic attire and colorful props. It shows to the world the creativity of the people in showing gratitude to the Almighty for the blessings received. 

o Sumayajaw is a great attraction to the townsfolk and tourists as well.

o  It is a festival celebrated annually in Jabonga every 15th of August, the Fall of the Feast of Our Lady of Assumption

Marang Festival

oMarang Festival is a fruit abundant in Las Nieves.

o It embodies the rich harvest in the

province of Agusan del Norte.

Balangay Shrine Museum

it is found in Butuan, Agusan Del NorteIn this museum, the replica of balangays is erected on this place

Magellan’s Landing Site

oThe Balangay Shrine Museum, located in Brgy. Libertad, lays the graveyard of the Balangay 1 dated 320 A.D. or 1688 years old. oThe Balangay shrine museum is located at Balanghai, Libertad, Butuan City.

Masao

ofirst Christian mass was celebrated in Masao, Butuan, Agusan del Norte

Lake Mainit

It is situated 80 meters above sea level with a mean depth of 128 meters, it is a confluence of 28 rivers. It is the 4thbiggest lake in the Philippines and the most pristine.  

Agusan Del Sur

→The province of Agusan del Sur once shared one governance with its sister province, Agusan del Norte.

→Act 4969, enacted on June 17, 1967, divided the Agusan province into two: Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte.

→Its capital town is Prosperidad where the Provincial Government Center is situated. 

Kahimunan Festival

► a local version of the Sinulog Festival of Cebu, it is highlighted by street dancing focusing on the indigenous tribes' of Bayugan and their way of life.

►Celebrated every Last Sunday of January, the festival has been known to lure tourists all over the region.

Santikan Festival

› Santikan is a Manobo word which mean to strike or the stiking of two hard objects to create friction or fire.

› It is to this essence that the festival is highlighted by different friendly competitions throughout its duration.

› This festival is held every June 12 - 15 in Trento, Agusan del Sur.

Naliyagan Festival

═Naliyagan Festival which is celebrated every June 12 to 17 in Prosperidad,Agusan Del Sur

═ the manobo elders of Agusan del Sur chose the word "naliyagan" which means the chosen one, the most loved one.

═ This festival depicts Agusanon culture and heritage with natives showing off their tribal dances and rituals. 

Bega Falls

Bega Falls

◘ “BEGA” derived from the Manobo term means “LUSTFUL”………

◘ Long time ago, there was a beautiful woman lived in that specific place who had a very glamorous and alluring beauty.  An angelic face of long, glossy shine hair that touched the ground which need to be folded when she walked and strolled along the mountains and dales to avoid being stepped.

Many strangers and invaders longed to be her man for her strange beauty.  Rivalry arose that caused chaos to those interested to her.  Different strategies heated-up to won lady’s love and affection.

One of the frustrating suitors secretly abducted the lady and hid to the isolated part in the “SAMPAW” which means ‘WATERFALL”.  Misfortune happened to the lady.  The rude man raped her, cut her long hair and lastly killed her.

Agusan Marsh

→This mystical wetland in the northeastern part of Mindanao, is the largest marshland in the Philippines, holding up to 15% of the country’s freshwater. It is located in the center of the Agusan River Basin, which is the third largest river basin in the country. →It encompasses a total of 65,806 hectares but only 19,196.58 hectares is declared as protected area

Bunawan Eco-Park

Bunawan Eco-Park

› The municipality of Bunawan is located at the southeastern side of the landlocked province of Agusan del Sur.

› Known as the “Gateway to the Great Agusan Marsh”, the municipality is also famous for housing the largest crocodile in captivity – Lolong.

› The saltwater crocodile is a male Indo-Pacific and weighs a whopping 2,370 lbs and measures a length of 6.17 meters (20 feet 3 inches).