Surigao del Sur
A province of the Philippines in the Caraga region of northeastern Mindanao.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Surigao del Sur, officially the Province of Surigao del Sur, is a Philippine province in the Caraga region of northeastern Mindanao. It occupies a long, narrow section of Mindanao’s eastern coast and faces the Philippine Sea. Tandag City is the provincial capital, while Bislig City is the province’s most populous city. The province is bounded by Surigao del Norte to the northwest, Davao Oriental to the southeast, and Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur to the west and southwest. The Diwata Mountain Range forms a major natural barrier inland, while the deep waters of the Philippine Sea and the nearby Mindanao Deep define the province’s eastern setting. The province was created by Republic Act No. 2786, approved on June 19, 1960, and separated from the former province of Surigao on September 18 of the same year. Its first appointed governor was Recaredo B. Castillo, who later became an elected governor, and Vicente L. Pimentel was its first elected representative in Congress. Surigao del Sur began with 13 municipalities and later expanded to 19 local government units. Two municipalities were subsequently elevated to city status: Bislig and Tandag. Tandag’s conversion into a component city was ratified in 2007; after legal challenges concerning the broader Philippine cityhood legislation, the Supreme Court’s final ruling in 2011 upheld the city’s status. The region has a much older human history. Before Spanish colonization, coastal communities included Surigaonon-speaking Visayan peoples, while Mandaya, Mansaka, Mamanwa, and Manobo groups lived in interior areas. During the Spanish period, the area was administered as part of the East District of Mindanao, together with Agusan, and the district was renamed Distrito de Surigao in 1870. Under American rule, Surigao became a chartered province in 1901, and Agusan was separated from it in 1907. Surigao del Sur’s economy combines agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, forestry, mining, and tourism. Rice, bananas, and other tropical fruits are among its agricultural outputs. Coastal communities depend heavily on fishing and seafood-related activities, supported by extensive marine resources. The province also contains deposits of copper, gold, chromite, cobalt, nickel, lead and zinc, limestone, coal, feldspar, clay, diatomite, bentonite, and construction aggregates. Mining has therefore been economically significant, although the presence of extensive forest and mountainous areas also makes land management and environmental protection important provincial concerns. Tourism is associated with natural landscapes and coastal recreation. Tinuy-an Falls near Bislig is a major attraction, known for its broad, multi-level cascade and frequent comparison with Niagara Falls. Surfing is practiced particularly around Cantilan and Lanuza, while skimboarding is available in several coastal municipalities. Cultural life includes festivals such as the Sirong Festival in Cantilan, whose performances draw on local historical and religious traditions. Surigao del Sur covers roughly 4,933 square kilometers and extends about 300 kilometers from Carrascal in the north to Lingig in the south. It has a Type II Philippine climate, with rainfall occurring throughout the year and generally wetter conditions from November through June. The province comprises 17 municipalities and two cities, divided into 309 barangays and two congressional districts. Surigaonon and Tandaganon are widely spoken, while Cebuano and Kamayo are prominent in the southern and southwestern areas. Tagalog and English are also used in education, commerce, and government. The province remains an active administrative, agricultural, maritime, mineral, and tourism center within Caraga.
History
The area now known as Surigao del Sur was inhabited before colonization by coastal Surigaonon communities and by several Indigenous peoples in the interior, including Mandaya, Mansaka, Mamanwa, and Manobo groups. The name Surigao has been associated with more than one possible linguistic origin. One explanation connects it with sulig, meaning to sprout or spring up, and suligao, interpreted as spring water. Another relates it to Visayan terms for a water current. Historical records used several forms, including Suligao, Surigao, and Zurigan. During Spanish rule, Mindanao was reorganized into military districts. In 1860, Surigao and Agusan were placed together in the East District, which was renamed Distrito de Surigao in 1870. American authorities made Distrito de Surigao a chartered province in 1901. Agusan was separated and established as an independent province in 1907, leaving the remaining territory associated with Surigao. Surigao del Sur became a separate Philippine province through Republic Act No. 2786. The legislation was approved on June 19, 1960, and the separation from the parent province took effect on September 18, 1960. The new province initially consisted of 13 municipalities. Recaredo B. Castillo served as the first appointed governor and later won election to the office, while Vicente L. Pimentel became the first elected congressman. Additional municipalities were created over time, bringing the total to 19 local government units before later city conversions. Bislig was the first municipality in the province to become a city. Tandag, the provincial capital, was converted into a component city under Republic Act No. 9392, with ratification in June 2007. The status became part of the nationwide litigation over Philippine cityhood laws. Although the cityhood was questioned in 2008 and 2010, the legal position was ultimately settled when the Supreme Court’s final ruling on February 15, 2011, upheld the constitutionality of the law supporting Tandag’s cityhood. In the contemporary period, Surigao del Sur has developed around a mixed economy. Agriculture supplies rice, bananas, and tropical fruits, while fisheries and aquaculture support many coastal communities. The province’s mountains and geological formations contain metallic and non-metallic resources, including nickel, copper, gold, chromite, cobalt, lead and zinc, limestone, coal, feldspar, clay, diatomite, bentonite, and aggregates. Both small-scale and large-scale mining have operated in parts of the province, especially around Carrascal and nearby areas. At the same time, substantial forest areas, including remaining old-growth and mossy forest, have made environmental stewardship a continuing aspect of provincial planning. Tourism has grown around waterfalls, beaches, surfing, skimboarding, forests, and cultural events. Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig is the best-known natural attraction and is recognized for its unusually wide, tiered cascade. Cantilan and Lanuza are associated with surfing, while local festivals such as Cantilan’s Sirong Festival express regional religious and historical traditions. The province’s linguistic landscape reflects its diverse settlement history: Surigaonon and Tandaganon are common in much of the north and center; Cebuano and Kamayo are prominent in several southern localities; and Tagalog and English are used widely in public administration, education, and business. Administratively, the province now consists of 17 municipalities and two cities, divided into 309 barangays and two congressional districts. Its elongated territory runs along Mindanao’s northeastern coast, with the Diwata Range separating much of it from inland Mindanao. Surigao del Sur continues to function as a provincial center for public administration, agriculture, maritime livelihoods, mineral activity, and nature-based tourism.
- 2011
Tandag cityhood upheld
[1]A final Supreme Court ruling on February 15 upheld the constitutionality of the cityhood law affecting Tandag.
- 2007
Tandag cityhood ratified
[1]Tandag’s conversion from a municipality into a component city was ratified on June 23.
- 1960
Creation of Surigao del Sur
[1]Republic Act No. 2786 created Surigao del Sur as a separate Philippine province on June 19; the separation took effect on September 18.
- 1907
Agusan separates from Surigao
[1]Agusan became an independent province, reducing the territory of the former Surigao province.
- 1901
Surigao becomes a chartered province
[1]During the American colonial period, Distrito de Surigao was constituted as a chartered province.
- 1870
Renaming as Distrito de Surigao
[1]The East District was renamed Distrito de Surigao.
- 1860
Formation of the East District
[1]Under Spanish administration, Surigao and Agusan were organized together as the East District of Mindanao.
Products and positioning
A coastal Caraga province distinguished by forested mountain ranges, marine resources, mineral deposits, indigenous and Visayan cultural traditions, and nature-based tourism.
Agriculture
Agricultural products
Rice, bananas, and other tropical fruits are important agricultural outputs of Surigao del Sur. Production is distributed among rural municipalities and forms part of the province’s food supply and regional trade.
Marine products
Seafood and aquaculture
The province’s eastern coastline supports fishing, aquaculture, seafood production, and related marine by-products. These activities are central livelihoods for many coastal residents.
Mining
Mineral resources
Surigao del Sur contains deposits of copper, gold, chromite, cobalt, nickel, lead and zinc, as well as limestone, coal, feldspar, clay, diatomite, bentonite, and aggregates. Mining activity includes both small-scale operations and larger projects.
Tourism
Nature and coastal tourism
Tourism offerings include Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig, surfing areas around Cantilan and Lanuza, skimboarding sites, forest landscapes, coastal attractions, and cultural festivals.
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