Experience CARAGA – the most exciting adventure one can find south of the Philippine islands that simply lures a visitor to frolic in its pristine beauty.

It is the land of extremes and superlatives. The country’s largest freshwater wetland and largest mangrove swamp nestled within its boundaries. The deepest waters in the country --- some of the deepest in the world --- lie just off its shores. Its borders encompass Agusan del Sur, where the Philippines’ largest gold deposit is found.

The History

The Caraga Administrative Region or Region-XIII is a region re-born. It is named after the historic Caraga --- an old territory in Northern Mindanao of which Surigao was once a part of. The term is derived from KALAGAN, the name of a people believed to be of Visayan origin. They inhabited the territory during the early part of the Spanish occupation. (“Harnessing Age-Old Regional Strengths, Caraga Administrative Region”. Regional Profiles, Mindanao 1996. Business Guide).

According to Almeda, the word Kalagan came from two Bisayan words, namely: “Kalag” and “An” which means soul or people and land, respectively. He further said that the “Kalagans” had a long history of being treacherous and fearless people. Hence, early chroniclers often times called it as the “Land of Brave and Fierce People”.

The colorful past and glorious days of the old Caraga was but a sad memory buried in the dustbin of history (APPENDEX 1: Caraga: A region Reborn, Fernando Almeda). However, the passage of Republic Act 7901 on February 23, 1995 made possible the rebirth of this region.

The Political Subdivisions

Caraga Region XIII lies in the northeastern side of Mindanao. It is bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the east, the Bohol Sea and the Provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon on the west, and the Surigao
Strait on the south. It can be reached by air, land, and sea travel.

It embraces the four (4) Provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur, and the three (3) cities of Butuan, Surigao and Bislig. These provinces and cities were administratively under Region X except Surigao del Sur which was with Region XI before the creation of the Caraga Administrative Region.

Caraga Region comprises seven (7) congressional districts, 70 municipalities, and 1,333 barangays. Its regional center is Butuan City.

LIST OF MUNICIPALITIES (as of 2001/DILG Data)

The People

As of September 1995, Caraga has a total population of 1,942, 687. The most populated province is Agusan del Sur with almost 515,000 people.

Scattered all over the region are different indigenous tribes of Manobos, Higa-onons, and Mamanwas. The Caraganons have mostly Malay, Chinese, Japanese, and Arab bloods.

The Land

Caraga has a total land area of 1,902,980 hectares or 18,847.2 sq. km. It represents about 18% of the total land area of Mindanao and roughly 6% of the Philippines. (Agusan-Surigao Ecozone: A Showcase of Development).
Table 1: Total Land Area Classification of Caraga Region-13 as of 1993.

Most of these areas are classified into forest and agricultural lands and built-up areas. Bulk of the land area which is 27.11% or 8,965.5 sq. km. belongs to the Province of Agusan del Sur while Surigao del Norte has the smallest area with 2,590.3 sq. km. (This already includes the mainland and the four (4) major islands).

The Resources

Caraga is considered as a Gold Country. Its jewel lies in the region’s vast forest, fertile mountains and valleys, seas, rivers, lakes, mineral deposits, people and other natural endowments.

R.A. 7901 made this northeastern region as the new economic hub in Southern Philippines considering its vast potentials for ecotourism, industrial, mining, agri-industrial, and agricultural development.

Caraga Region XIII is also rich in history and culture. Its indigenous traditions are showcased in year round festivals and its heritage are epitomized in their arts and crafts. Relics and artifacts of a glorious past are displayed with pride in the different museums found in the region.

Indeed, Caraga Region XIII now awaits the touch of investors to turn its resources into profits and encourages more tourist receipts for economic, social and political development.

Inventory of Tourism Products

Tourist Attractions
• Siargao Island
• Bucas Grande Island
• Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary
• Waterfalls (Tinuy-an Falls)
• Resorts
• Historical Sites
• Archaeological Sites
• Caves
• Mountains
• Lakes
• Festivals
• Beautiful Islands and cluster of islets
• Rock Formations
• White sand beaches
• Variety of fresh seafoods (lobsters, fish, crabs, oysters, etc.)
• Indigenous handicrafts
• Ecotourism Destinations

Anchor Destinations
1. Historical / Archeological Sites of Butuan City
2. Exciting Islands of Surigao: Beautiful Islands and cluster of islets of Surigao City (e.g. Sagisi Island, Zaragoza Rock Formations, Manjagao Mangrove Forest, Punta Baluarte, Punta Kalabera, etc.)
3. Lake Mainit (Agusan del Norte)
4. Agusan Marsh (Agusan del Sur)
5. Siargao Island (Surigao del Norte)
6. Bucas Grande Island (Surigao del Norte
7. Mt. Hilong-Hilong (Agusan del Norte)
8. Tinuy-an Falls (Surigao del Sur)

Satellite Destinations
1. Cagwait Beach (Surigao del Sur)
2. Mt. Mas-ai (Agusan del Norte)
3. Dinagat Island (Surigao del Norte)
4. Longest Wooden Footbridge in the Philippines (Surigao City)
5. Lanuza (Surigao del Sur)
6. Tandag (Surigao del Sur)
7. Carmen (Agusan del Norte)
8. Britania Islands ( Surigao del Sur)

Tourism Facilities

Transport Facilities:

Air :
2 domestic (secondary) airport in Butuan City and Surigao City
1 domestic airport in Tandag, Surigao del Sur
1 feeder airport in del Carmen, Surigao del Norte
1 feeder airport in Bislig, Surigao del Sur

Sea:
1 international seaport in Nasipit, Agusan del
Norte
1 domestic seaport in Surigao City
4 wharves in Tandag, Bislig, Dapa, and Placer
1 ferry landing terminal in Lipata, Surigao City
linking Mindanao to Visayas and Luzon
Land:
Buses / Jeepneys / Vehicles for hire serve commuters bound to other points of destination in Mindanao 24-hrs. a day.
Road Network (6,404 kilometers of road)
Butuan - Surigao City - Paved roads
(first class roads)
Butuan - Trento Agusan del Sur
unpaved roads under construction
Surigao del Sur - most of its roads are unpaved while some are under construction

Communication Facilities
5 telephone companies offering NDD and
IDD service
3 cellphone companies (SMART, GLOBE & PILTEL)
Fax outlets
Post Office
Internet Café / Computer Services

Other Facilities
Department Stores
Souvenir and Antique Shops
Restaurants / coffee shop
Banks
Standard Bowling Centers
Sports & Exercise Facilities
disco & KTV Bars
Convention Centers / Function Rooms
Health facilities and drugstores

Special Events
Festivals
Commemorative events
Surfing and other water sports activities
National/Regional Conventions
Nature trips
Spelunking
Mountain climbing
Mountain biking
Motocross