Happy TravellerWelcome to Digos, a vibrant and bustling city located in the heart of the Philippines! Known as the Mango Capital City of the Philippines, Digos is famous for its sweet and juicy carabao mangoes, which are sold locally and exported abroad. But there’s more to Digos than just mangoes – with its rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural beauty, this city is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the Philippines.
Digos, officially known as the City of Digos, is a 2nd class component city and the capital of the province of Davao del Sur. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 188,376 people, making it a bustling and dynamic metropolis. The city is located on the western shores of Davao Gulf and the southern foothills of Mount Apo on the island of Mindanao, making it centrally located between the three major cities in Mindanao: Davao City in the north, General Santos in the south, and Cotabato City in the west. As a result, Digos is considered part of Metropolitan Davao, making it a hub for trade, commerce, and education.
Digos has a rich history that dates back to the early days when it was a watercourse and a meeting place of Austronesian inhabitants who settled along the southern foothills of Mount Apo. During the Spanish era, a group of natives carrying bows and arrows were approached by some Spaniards traversing the very fertile tracts of land in Davao. One Lopez Jaena Pacheco, a conquistador during the administration of Governor Claveria serving as the head of the group, inquired about the name of the place from the barefooted natives. Believing that the Spaniards were asking where they were bound to, the natives answered Padigus, which means to take a bath. Since then, the place was identified as Digos.
Before World War II, an enterprising American by the name of N.E. Crumb leased 10.24 km2 and transformed the place into an Abaca Plantation. This became the hub of economic activity in the locality during those days. Digos was occupied by the Japanese troops in 1942. In 1945, through the brave efforts of the combined forces of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, the local Davaoeño guerrilla units from the Davao peninsula, and the United States military, the Japanese soldiers were defeated. Through the initiation of then Congressman Apolinario Cabigon, Digos became a regular municipality in 1949 by virtue of Presidential Executive Order No. 236, dated July 19, 1949, issued by President Quirino. Its coverage included the barrios of Tres de Mayo, Goma Bansalan, Matanao, Darapuay, and the Poblacion where the seat of government was located. Before its creation into a municipality, Digos was a barrio of Santa Cruz, a town 16 kilometers away. On July 19, 1949, the town was formally inaugurated with Benito Rabor appointed as Mayor. Digos, in later years, before its conversion into a city, was regarded as the capital town of the Province of Davao del Sur, long before it gained the status of a First Class Municipality in 1993, being the center for trade, commerce, and education, accruing to its strategic location at the crosspoint of two principal thoroughfares in the south.
In July 1998, the bid to convert Digos into a city was moved and initiated by Mayor Arsenio A. Latasa, considering its very satisfactory qualifications required for in R.A. 7160 House Bill No. 5672 dated November 24, 1998, of Congress authored by Congressman Douglas Ra. Cagas. This led to the drafting of Republic Act 8798, converting the Municipality of Digos into a component City of Davao del Sur, which was signed by President Joseph E. Estrada on July 14, 2000, and ratified by the Digoseños on September 8, 2000.
Digos is politically subdivided into 26 barangays and has a total land area of 28,710 hectares (70,900 acres) consisting of 26 barangays. The land topography of Digos ranges from hilly to mountainous in the north-northeast portion and flat and slightly rolling at the coastal barangays, while the urban area and the surrounding barangays in the south portion are generally flat. Climate in Digos falls under the fourth type, with wind directions prevalent from northeast to southwest. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, and during the period from 1995 to 2000, there was no observed extreme dry or wet season.
Agriculture is a major component of Digos’s economy, with 9,330 households or 37% of the total households dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Of the total households dependent on agriculture, 91% are engaged in farming, and the remaining 9% are in fishing. The total area devoted to agriculture covered 8,944.1 hectares, representing 31% of the total land area of Digos. The more important agricultural crops grown in the area include coconut, sugarcane, mango, and banana. Among the agricultural crops, the staple crops rice and corn are the most widely grown.
Digos is a city of festivals and celebrations, with several fiestas held throughout the year. Some of the most popular festivals include the Sinulog sa Digos held every January 15th, the San Isidro Labrador held every May 15th, Padigosan Festival held every July 19th, Mary Mediatrix held every August 22nd, and Araw ng Digos held every September 8th. These events showcase the city’s vibrant culture and allow visitors to experience the unique traditions and customs of Digos.
Digos is easily accessible by local means of transportation, which is served by almost 5,000 tricycles known locally as just Pedicab. Transportation to its barangays and adjacent municipalities is served by single Motorcycles (SKYLAB/HABAL-HABAL), Multicabs, Jeepneys, and L300 Vans. Public Utility Vans also serve routes to and from the cities of Davao, Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong-Isulan, Koronadal, and General Santos. Bus companies operating in the city of Digos include Mindanao Star (General Santos, Davao City & Cotabato City), Davao Metro Shuttle (Tagum City), Yellow Bus Lines Inc. (General Santos/Koronadal City), Grand Transport Corp. (Tacurong City), SEMTRAMPCO (Digos), Tacurong Express (Tacurong City), Davao ACF Bus Line (Malita, Davao del Sur).
Digos is also home to several educational institutions, including Cor Jesu College (private, catholic), University of Mindanao Digos Campus (private, non-sectarian), Polytechnic College of Davao del Sur (private), Davao del Sur State College (DSSC/SPAMAST) – Digos Campus (public), John Paul II Seminary (theological school, Diocese of Digos), PRIME Innovations, Technical and Vocational School [PITVS] (Private, Non-Sectarian), Southern Mindanao Computer College (private), Philippine International Technological School (private), Adventure College Of Technology And Science (private), Mindanao Technological Institute (private), Digital Systems Institute (private), and Digos Institute Of Technical Education (private).
In conclusion, Digos is a city that offers a unique blend of culture, history, and nature. Whether you’re looking to indulge in some of the world’s most delicious mangoes, explore the city’s rich history and culture, or simply relax in the lap of nature, Digos has something for everyone. So why not plan your trip today and experience the magic of this incredible city for yourself?
