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Kaputian, Island Garden City of Samal, 8120 Davao del Norte, Philippines. Author Daniel moygannon.

Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Island Garden City of Samal

The Island Garden City of Samal also know as Samal is a 4th class component city in the province of Davao del Norte, Philippines with a population of more than 116,771 people.It is made up of Samal Island and the smaller Talikud Island in the Davao Gulf, from the merger of former municipalities of Samal, Babak, and Kaputian.

It is also a part of the Metropolitan Davao area and is two kilometers away from Davao City, the largest city and the primary economic center of Mindanao.Lets take a look at some of most astonishing facts about it;

1.The Island was named after its first inhabitants

Island Garden City of Samal. Author Daniel moygannon

The name Samal was derived from the Sama-Bajau people, the natives who were the first inhabitants of the island. The first datu in the island was Datu Taganiyug, a native of what is now Penaplata, today the governance center of the city.

Tagpopongan is the first barangay in the island which name was from the word “tagpo” or meet. It was called so owing to the fact that this place was chosen by the datus as their meeting place. The word Samal was also known before because it was commonly used as surname by datus.

2.The city’s economy depends greatly in its agricultural production

The city’s economy depends greatly in its agricultural production. Copra, mango, corn, vegetables, citrus and fish are the major products of the island. Livestock production is also a major product with Davao City as the primary market.

In addition, rice is also produced in the barangays of Libuak in Babak District and Aumbay in Penaplata District.The city depends mostly on Agriculture as its main source of income. The other sectors like Tourism and fishing also contributes to its economy. 

3.The island was conquered by Spain in the late 1840s

The island was initially home to the Sama-Bajau peoples. Later on, Spain managed to conquer the island in the late 1840s when Nueva Vergara (Davao City today) was established.

The Pacific War, which happened during World War II, struck the island and Japanese fighter planes bombed the island. Japanese forces occupied the island and forced the people to work for four years until they were expelled by the Allied forces.

4.The island experienced political divisions before it finally became a city

After the war, infrastructure was built, such as schools, churches and stores in the area.However there were political divisions in the island between forming two municipalities in the provess.

The island experienced further political division when the municipality of Kaputian was created from the island in 1966.During this period, the standard of living in these three municipalities became low and extremely rural.

In 1955, the sitios of Mambago, San Isidro, Santo Niño, San Antonio, San Agustin, Dangcaan, Balet, Tambo, Camudmud, and Cogon were converted into barrios of the now-defunct municipality of Babak. 

5.Samal is the only city in the country that encompasses two entire islands

Island Garden City of Samal.Author Michael E. Peligro.

Samal is the only city in the country that encompasses two entire islands, hence its name as the Island Garden City. While pristine beaches dot the island’s shores, hills dominate the middle portions of the island.

Talikud Island is located southwest of the main island.Island Garden City of Samal (GaCoS)  also enjoys an evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year and a typhoon-free climate, which makes it ideal for agricultural production.

Cebuano is the medium of language of the people of Samal Island, followed by Isama, Boholano and Tausug.

6. Samal is politically subdivided into 46 barangays

Samal is politically subdivided into 46 barangays including;Adecor, Anonang, Aumbay, Aundanao, Balet, Bandera, Caliclic (Dangca-an), Camudmud, Catagman, Cawag, Cogon, Cogon (Talicod), Dadatan, Del Monte, Guilon, San Miguel (Magamomo), San Remigio, Santa Cruz (Talicod II), Santo Niño, Sion (Zion)

Others also include; Kanaan, Kinawitnon, Libertad, Libuak, Licup, Limao, Linosutan, Mambago-A, Mambago-B, Miranda (Poblacion), Moncado (Poblacion), Pangubatan, Penaplata (Poblacion), Poblacion (Kaputian), San Agustin, San Antonio, San Isidro (Babak), San Isidro (Kaputian), San Jose (San Lapuz), Tagbaobo, Tagbay, Tagbitan-ag, Tagdaliao, Tagpopongan, Tambo, Toril and Villarica. 

7.Barge/ferry service or passenger boats are the main transportation means

Samal, Bataa.Author Ramon FVelasquez.

Barge/ferry service or passenger boats are the main transportation means. The Barge or ferry and boats from the Sasa Wharf & Santa Ana Wharf in Davao City serves the island city. The other modes of transportation on the island are motorcycles, tricycles or trikes, and bus and private car services offered by resorts.

Bus operators include;Island City Express (operated by Mindanao Star) whose daily route is to Kaputian, Babak, Peñaplata from Davao City (via Kinawitnon ferry port).

8.There are three main festivals held in the city annually

There are three main festivals held annually in the city, namely:Kabasan Festival, coincides with the founding of Babak municipality every year in May, features bikini open contests, fireworks display, street-dancing and street parties, and motocross events

White Nights Festival, takes place every two days with Kaputian as the venue, celebrating the city’s cultural and historical heritage and the Hugyaw Madayaw Festival, a spin-off of Davao’s Kadayawan Festival which is also held annually in August, and also an attempt to preserve the diminishing Sama culture in the island.

Monfort Bat Sanctuary, the world’s largest fruit bat colony,is also located in the island. Samal Island is also known as the “Island of Festivals” because it celebrates several events. 

9.Island Garden City of Samal is the largest resort city in the Philippines

Samal Island in Davao. Author

Island Garden City of Samal is known as the largest resort city in the Philippines since it’s home to more than 30 resorts with over 1,000 rooms.Being just 2km away from Davao City via a ferry ride, Samal Island is one of the top tourist spots for travelers visiting the capital city of Mindanao.

It’s blessed with pristine beaches and incredible snorkeling and diving sites aside from luxury to budget resorts that make for the ultimate tropical getaway.

10.The waters around Samal Island boasts several diving spots

The waters around Samal Island boasts several diving spots where you can find sunken ships dating back to World War II.The waters off the islets of Liguid and Talikud hide a healthy system of colorful coral reefs and marine life

As the largest resort city in the Philippines, Samal Island has numerous accommodations ranging from luxury honeymoon resorts to mid-range accomodations and even the ones catering to budget travelers.The Island is one of the mist visited attractions in Philippines.