Davao del Sur

Davao del Sur is a coastal province in the Davao Region (Region XI) in southeastern Mindanao. Its capital is Digos City, which serves as the administrative and commercial center. The province is bordered by Davao City to the north, Davao Occidental to the south, Davao de Oro and North Cotabato to the west, and the Davao Gulf to the east.

The province is composed of 9 municipalities and 1 component city, featuring a mix of coastal areas, fertile valleys, and upland mountainous terrain. Mount Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines, is partly located in Davao del Sur, offering tourism and agroforestry opportunities. The population is diverse, including Indigenous Peoples such as the Bagobo-Tagabawa and Blaan, alongside Christian settlers and Moro communities.

Davao del Sur is considered one of the more economically stable provinces in the region due to its proximity to Davao City and the presence of agro-industries, plantations, and active trade routes. However, some interior barangays and IP communities still face development challenges related to poverty, infrastructure, and access to services.

Agricultural Sector

Agriculture plays a significant role in the economy of Davao del Sur. The province produces a wide range of commodities including banana, coconut, corn, rice, sugarcane, cacao, coffee, rubber, and highland vegetables. Municipalities such as Bansalan, Matanao, and Magsaysay are known for highland farming, while Sta. Cruz and Digos City support both crop production and agribusiness.

Large-scale banana plantations, often operated by private firms, are major exporters. At the same time, smallholder farmers engage in mixed cropping, often with limited capital and postharvest support. The provincial government, in partnership with DA, provides production inputs, irrigation development, livestock, mechanization, and marketing support. Efforts are also ongoing to promote organic agriculture, GAP certification, and farmer cooperatives.

Fisheries Sector

Davao del Sur, with its coastal municipalities like Sta. Cruz and Padada, supports a modest fisheries sector focused on municipal fishing and small-scale aquaculture. The Davao Gulf provides resources such as sardines, tuna, bangus (milkfish), tilapia, and shellfish. Fish landing centers and cold storage facilities have been established in coastal barangays with support from BFAR and LGUs.

Inland aquaculture (fishponds and rice-fish culture) is practiced in lowland and midland barangays. However, coastal resource depletion and postharvest losses are common concerns. BFAR promotes sustainable practices and provides fisherfolk with fingerlings, seaweed planting materials, gear, and access to training. Livelihood diversification programs are being scaled to address seasonal income gaps.

Poverty Situation

While Davao del Sur has shown improvements in its economic indicators, poverty remains significant in upland barangays and Indigenous communities. Areas in the interior municipalities of Kiblawan, Bansalan, and Matanao often struggle with low household incomes, limited road access, and lack of economic opportunities.

The province benefits from regional investments and proximity to urban centers, but development is uneven. Government initiatives like conditional cash transfers, agri-livelihood support, and rural infrastructure development have made an impact, but long-term poverty reduction still requires focused interventions on education, land access, and inclusive enterprise.

Project Profile

DA

The DA-SAAD program is implemented in selected upland barangays of Davao del Sur to support marginalized farmers, particularly those from IP communities. Beneficiaries receive agri-inputs, seeds, livestock (e.g., native chicken, goats), farm tools, and enterprise support.

Areas like Kiblawan and Bansalan have benefitted from vegetable gardening projects, native livestock dispersal, and capacity building on sustainable farming. SAAD projects are complemented by organizational strengthening, helping farmers form and manage cooperatives and associations to sustain production and improve market access.

Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
2023KiblawanBulol-SaloCorn and Layer Chicken Production ProjectBulol-salo Indigenous People's Association (bipa)251,533,716.00
2024KiblawanBulol-SaloCorn and Layer Chicken Production ProjectBulol-salo Indigenous People's Association (bipa)251,439,310.00
2024KiblawanTaculBanana Lakatan and Layer Chicken Production ProjectTacul Farmers' Association Of Kiblawan, Inc.251,990,730.00
2025KiblawanBulol-SaloCORN AND LAYER CHICKEN PRODUCTION PROJECT251,523,070.00
2025KiblawanTaculCORN AND LAYER CHICKEN PRODUCTION PROJECT251,690,570.00
2026KiblawanBulol-SaloLayer ChickenBulol-salo Indigenous Peoples Association251,259.46
2026KiblawanNew SibongaLayer ChickenUsbong Kabataan Ug Mag-uuma Sa Kiblwan Association25842.37
2026KiblawanTaculLayer ChickenTacul Farmers Association Of Kiblawan Inc.251,259.46

BFAR

The BFAR-SAAD component targets fisherfolk in coastal and inland municipalities, providing fingerlings, boats, fish cages, feeds, and training on fish production and value-adding. Programs have been rolled out in Padada, Sta. Cruz, and Malalag, where fishing and aquaculture are important sources of livelihood.

Fisherfolk associations are assisted with both materials and technical guidance. BFAR-SAAD also promotes ecosystem-based fisheries management to preserve marine and freshwater resources, while helping communities increase income through diversified and sustainable fishing practices.

Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
2023KiblawanNew SibongaTilapia Culture in PondKiblawan Tilapia Raisers Association (ktra)371,421,873.00
2024KiblawanNew SibongaTilapia Culture in PondKiblawan Tilapia Raisers Association372,132,000.00
2025KiblawanNew SibongaTilapia Culture in PondKiblawan Tilapia Raisers Association (ktra)27800,000.00