Davao Occidental
Davao Occidental is the newest province in the Davao Region (Region XI), officially created in 2013 after being carved out of Davao del Sur. Its capital is Malita, and the province is composed of five municipalities: Malita, Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Santa Maria, and Sarangani (not to be confused with the province of the same name).
Situated on the southwestern coastline of Mindanao, Davao Occidental is bounded by the Davao Gulf to the east and the Celebes Sea to the south, giving it strategic marine access. The province is home to diverse ethnic groups, including the Blaan, Tagakaulo, and Moro communities, as well as Christian settlers. Despite its rich natural resources, the province remains one of the most geographically isolated and economically challenged areas in the region.
Infrastructure development, peace and order concerns, and limited access to social services are among the primary development hurdles in the province. However, its rich marine biodiversity, fertile agricultural lands, and cultural heritage present strong potential for inclusive growth and poverty alleviation with the help of government-led initiatives and development programs.
Agricultural Sector
Agriculture is the primary livelihood in Davao Occidental, with key commodities including coconut, corn, rice, banana, cacao, coffee, and root crops. The province’s topography supports both lowland and upland farming, though most of its farmlands are underutilized due to limited infrastructure and market access.
The municipality of Malita is a major agricultural area, with widespread coconut plantations and emerging high-value crop production. Support from the Department of Agriculture and local government includes seeds, fertilizers, livestock, and farm tools, particularly for IP farmers in upland areas. However, farm-to-market roads, irrigation, and postharvest facilities remain a major need, especially in the hinterlands of Don Marcelino and Jose Abad Santos.
Fisheries Sector
Davao Occidental has one of the most extensive marine areas in Region XI, making fisheries and aquaculture vital to its economy and food supply. Its coastline stretches along the Davao Gulf and Celebes Sea, providing rich fishing grounds for tuna, sardines, mackerel, seaweed, and reef fish.
Most fishing activities are small-scale and municipal, with families relying on traditional fishing methods. Coastal municipalities like Jose Abad Santos and Santa Maria heavily depend on fishing for daily subsistence. Seaweed farming is an emerging livelihood, supported by government programs and BFAR interventions. Despite the sector’s potential, issues such as illegal fishing, poor postharvest practices, and limited storage and marketing infrastructure continue to affect productivity.
Poverty Situation
As a newly established and geographically isolated province, Davao Occidental faces high poverty incidence, particularly in far-flung and IP-dominated communities. Inadequate infrastructure, limited livelihood options, low access to healthcare and education, and periodic natural hazards contribute to persistent poverty in the area.
Most households in upland barangays are engaged in subsistence farming or small-scale fishing, with limited income diversification. National agencies and NGOs have initiated efforts to improve basic service delivery, promote peacebuilding, and strengthen local governance, but the province still requires sustained investment to reduce multidimensional poverty.
Project Profile
DA
The DA-SAAD Program in Davao Occidental supports marginalized and isolated farming communities, especially Indigenous Peoples in upland areas. The program provides planting materials, native chickens, corn packages, tools, and agri-training sessions tailored to local needs.
Projects are concentrated in priority barangays of Malita, Don Marcelino, and Jose Abad Santos, where beneficiaries lack regular access to inputs and technical support. The program helps not only improve food production at the household level but also promotes group-based enterprise development through farmer associations and cooperatives.
| Year Covered | Municipality | Barangay | Project | Association | Members | Input Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Don Marcelino | Lapuan | Corn and Layer Chicken Production Project | San Malbino Micro-hydro Power Association (sanmamihypa) | 25 | 1,533,716.00 |
| 2023 | Jose Abad Santos (Trinidad) | Culaman | Banana and Layer Chicken Production Project | Baybay Culaman Farm And Fisherworkers Association | 25 | 2,316,216.00 |
| 2023 | Malita | Pangaleon | Corn and Layer Chicken Production Project | Pangaleon Farmers Association (pfa) | 25 | 1,533,716.00 |
| 2023 | Sarangani | Patuco (Sarangani Norte) | Banana and Layer Chicken Production Project | Palacaca Farmers, Fisherfolks Vendors Association | 25 | 2,316,216.00 |
| 2024 | Don Marcelino | Dalupan | Abaca and Goat Production Project | Dalupan Renewable Energy Community Development Association | 25 | 1,340,110.00 |
| 2024 | Don Marcelino | Lapuan | Corn and Layer Chicken Production Project | San Malbino Micro-hydro Power Association (sanmamihypa) | 25 | 1,439,310.00 |
| 2024 | Jose Abad Santos (Trinidad) | Caburan Small (Pob.) | Vegetable and Goat Production Project | Lingkasa Farmer's Association | 25 | 1,021,610.00 |
| 2024 | Jose Abad Santos (Trinidad) | Culaman | Banana Cardava and Layer Chicken Production Project | Baybay Culaman Farm And Fisherworkers Association | 25 | 1,188,660.00 |
| 2024 | Malita | Kibalatong | Corn and Layer Chicken Production Project | Alayao Sustainable Farmers Association | 25 | 1,606,160.00 |
| 2024 | Malita | Pangaleon | Corn and Layer Chicken Production Project | Pangaleon Farmers Association (pfa) | 25 | 1,439,310.00 |
| 2024 | Sarangani | Mabila (Pob.) | Vegetable Production Project | Sarangani Empowered Women's Association | 25 | 499,360.00 |
| 2024 | Sarangani | Patuco (Sarangani Norte) | Banana Cardava and Layer Chicken Production Project | Palacaca Farmers, Fisherfolks Vendors Association | 25 | 1,188,660.00 |
| 2025 | Don Marcelino | Dalupan | CORN AND LAYER CHICKEN PRODUCTION PROJECT | 25 | 1,690,570.00 | |
| 2025 | Don Marcelino | Lapuan | CORN AND LAYER CHICKEN PRODUCTION PROJECT | 25 | 1,523,070.00 | |
| 2025 | Jose Abad Santos (Trinidad) | Caburan Small (Pob.) | ABACA AND GOAT PRODUCTION PROJECT | 25 | 1,307,040.00 | |
| 2025 | Jose Abad Santos (Trinidad) | Caburan Small (Pob.) | BANANA CARDAVA AND NATIVE CHICKEN PRODUCTION PROJECT | 25 | 1,663,300.00 | |
| 2025 | Malita | Kibalatong | CORN AND LAYER CHICKEN PRODUCTION PROJECT | 25 | 1,370,570.00 | |
| 2025 | Malita | Pangaleon | CORN AND LAYER CHICKEN PRODUCTION PROJECT | 25 | 1,523,070.00 | |
| 2025 | Sarangani | Mabila (Pob.) | FRUIT TREES AND CARABAO PRODUCTION PROJECT | 25 | 1,306,900.00 | |
| 2025 | Sarangani | Patuco (Sarangani Norte) | VEGETABLE AND GOAT PRODUCTION PROJECT | 25 | 835,580.00 | |
| 2026 | Don Marcelino | Dalupan | Layer Chicken | Dalupan Renewable Energy Community Development Association | 25 | 1,259.46 |
| 2026 | Don Marcelino | Lapuan | Layer Chicken | San Malbino Micro-hydro Power Association | 25 | 1,259.46 |
| 2026 | Don Marcelino | Nueva Villa | Layer Chicken | Kalatipus Christian Farmers Association | 25 | 842.37 |
| 2026 | Jose Abad Santos (Trinidad) | Caburan Small (Pob.) | Goat | Pigbaluyan Highlands Farmer Association | 25 | 1,021.37 |
| 2026 | Jose Abad Santos (Trinidad) | Caburan Small (Pob.) | Native Chicken | Lingkasa Farmers Association | 25 | 1,137.29 |
| 2026 | Malita | Kibalatong | Layer Chicken | Alayao Sustainable Farmers Association | 25 | 1,259.46 |
| 2026 | Malita | Pangaleon | Layer Chicken | Pangaleon Farmers Association | 25 | 1,259.46 |
| 2026 | Sarangani | Mabila (Pob.) | Vegetable Production Project | Sarangani Empowered Womens Association | 25 | 1,021.00 |
| 2026 | Sarangani | Patuco (Sarangani Norte) | Layer Chicken | Palacaca Farmers, Fisherfolks Vendors Association | 25 | 1,259.46 |
BFAR
The BFAR-SAAD program benefits coastal fisherfolk in Davao Occidental through assistance such as motorized boats, fish nets, fingerlings, fish cages, and seaweed propagules. The program also delivers training in sustainable fishing practices, postharvest handling, and group management.
Municipalities like Jose Abad Santos and Santa Maria have received targeted support, enabling fisherfolk to diversify their livelihoods and reduce dependence on open-sea fishing. BFAR-SAAD also promotes resource conservation, ensuring that livelihood gains do not come at the cost of marine ecosystem health.
| Year Covered | Municipality | Barangay | Project | Association | Members | Input Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Don Marcelino | Kinanga | Motorized boat (27-footer); Fishing Gear (Shallow Payao); Fishing Gear (Hook and Line) | Cabilon Ii Laborers Association (class) | 19 | 742,991.00 |
| 2023 | Don Marcelino | Talagutong (Pob.) | Motorized boat (24-footer); Fishing Gear (Shallow Payao); Fishing Gear (Hook and Line) | Maliada Fisherfolk Association (mfa) | 30 | 721,990.00 |
| 2023 | Jose Abad Santos (Trinidad) | Caburan Small (Pob.) | Motorized boat (27-footer) | Victory Fisherfolk Association (vfa) | 24 | 774,688.00 |
| 2023 | Jose Abad Santos (Trinidad) | Culaman | Motorized boat (27-footer) | Nagkahiusang Mananagat Sa Culaman Association (namanca) | 32 | 774,688.00 |
| 2023 | Malita | Lais | Solar Salt Production | United Small Fisherfolk Association (unisfa) | 21 | 603,250.00 |
| 2023 | Malita | Mana | Motorized boat (27-footer); Fishing Gear (Deep Sea Payao); Fishing Gear (Hook and Line) | Nagkahiusang Managat Sa Brgy Mana Association (nagmabma) | 19 | 601,111.00 |
| 2023 | Malita | Ticulon | Tilapia Culture in Fishpen | Silangan Small Farmers And Tilapia Growers Association (sisfatiga) | 33 | 749,936.00 |
| 2024 | Don Marcelino | Kinanga | Motorized boat (27-footer); Fishing Gear (Deep Sea Payao); Fishing Gear (Hook and Line) | Cabilon Ii Laborers Association (class) | 19 | 692,666.69 |
| 2024 | Don Marcelino | Talagutong (Pob.) | Motorized boat (27-footer); Fishing Gear (Deep Sea Payao); Fishing Gear (Hook and Line) | Maliada Fisherfolk Association (mfa) | 30 | 763,206.69 |
| 2024 | Jose Abad Santos (Trinidad) | Caburan Small (Pob.) | Motorized boat (26.5-footer); Fishing Gear (Hook and Line) | Victory Fisherfolk Association (vfa) | 24 | 873,547.36 |
| 2024 | Jose Abad Santos (Trinidad) | Culaman | Motorized boat (26.5-footer); Fishing Gear (Hook and Line) | Nagkahiusang Manangat Sa Culaman Association (namanca) | 32 | 894,646.84 |
| 2024 | Malita | Lais | Solar Salt Production | United Small Fisherfolk Association (unisfa) | 21 | 603,250.00 |
| 2024 | Malita | Mana | Fishing Gear (Deep Sea Payao); Fishing Gear (Hook and Line) | Nakahiusang Mananagat Sa Barangay Mana Association (nagmabma) | 19 | 771,682.59 |
| 2024 | Malita | Ticulon | Tilapia Culture in Bamboo Cage | Silangan Small Farmers And Tilapia Growers Association (sisfatiga) | 33 | 101,714.00 |
| 2025 | Don Marcelino | Kinanga | Motorized boat (24-footer); Fishing Gear (Deep Sea Payao); Fishing Gear (Hook and Line) | Cabilon 2 Laborer’s Association (class) | 48 | 662,000.00 |
| 2025 | Don Marcelino | Talagutong (Pob.) | Motorized boat (24-footer); Fishing Gear (Deep Sea Payao); Fishing Gear (Hook and Line) | Maliada Fisherfolk Association (mfa) | 30 | 647,000.00 |
| 2025 | Jose Abad Santos (Trinidad) | Caburan Small (Pob.) | Motorized boat (22-footer); Fishing Gear (Hook and Line) | Victory Fisherfolk Association (mfa) | 24 | 754,500.00 |
| 2025 | Jose Abad Santos (Trinidad) | Culaman | Motorized boat (22-footer) | Nagkahiusang Mananagat Sa Brgy. Culaman Association (nagmanca) | 37 | 724,500.00 |
| 2025 | Malita | Lais | Motorized boat (22-footer); Fishing Gear (Shallow Payao) | Lais Fisherfolk Association (lafa) | 26 | 492,150.50 |
| 2025 | Malita | Mana | Motorized boat (22-footer); Fishing Gear (Shallow Payao) | Nagkahiusang Mananagat Sa Brgy. Mana Association (nagmabma) | 27 | 599,000.00 |
| 2025 | Malita | Ticulon | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Silangan Small Farmer’s And Tilapia Growers Association | 33 | 663,000.00 |
| 2025 | Sarangani | Mabila (Pob.) | Motorized boat (25/21-footer); Fishing Gear (Shallow Payao) | United Saranganians Fiherfolks Association (usfa) | 26 | 2,000,000.00 |