Contemporary Davao & It's Progress: Davao Region's Local Government Units

Davao Region is located in southeastern Mindanao, Davao offers diverse travel experiences set in lush natural landscapes — from fine white sand beaches to highlands with refreshing cool climates.

The region consists of the provinces of Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental. Davao City is the regional center, and its Francisco Bangoy International Airport is the third busiest airport in the country. The region is strategically situated outside the typhoon belt, making for a uniform distribution of rainfall throughout the year.

Davao is a melting pot of various cultures, which include minority indigenous groups such as the Bagobo, Mandaya, Mansaka, and Maguindanaos. The locals, who refer to themselves as Dabawenyos and Dabawenyas, are a friendly bunch who shares a fierce pride in their home and heritage.

The area, particularly Davao City, also has a Japanese influence as it was the residence of many Japanese immigrants prior to World War II. Among the local languages spoken are Dinabaw, Visayan, as well as Filipino and English. (Choose Philippines,2015)

Compostela Valley is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. The province, called Comval for short, used to be part of Davao del Norte until it was made independent in 1998. Its capital is Nabunturan. The province borders Davao del Norte to the west, Agusan del Sur to the north, and Davao Oriental to the east. To the southwest lies the Davao Gulf. Its first elected governor was Jose Caballero, formerly a lawyer for a mining group in the province.

Davao del Norte, once known simply as Davao, is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Tagum City. Davao also includes Samal Island to the south in the Davao Gulf. The province of Compostela Valley used to be part of Davao until it was made into an independent province in 1998. Before 1967, the four provinces—Davao, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, and Compostela Valley—were once a single province named Davao. The Davao Region covers this historic province.

The Province of Davao del Norte is also known as "the banana capital of the Philippines."

Davao del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital and largest city is Digos City. The province is bordered by Davao City to the north, the new province of Davao Occidental to the south and Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani to the west. To the east lies the Davao Gulf.

Davao Occidental is the 81st and newest province in the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is the municipality of Malita. To the east lies the Davao Gulf. It also shares a water border with the Indonesian province of North Sulawesi to the south.

According to Article IX Section 48 of the provincial charter, the first set of elective officials shall be elected on May 9, 2016, the next local elections following the foundation of the province.

Davao Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Mati and borders Compostela Valley to the west, and Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur to the north. Davao Oriental is the easternmost province of the country with Pusan Point as the easternmost location. The Philippine Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean, faces Davao Oriental to the east. Part of the province lies on an unnamed peninsula that encloses the Davao Gulf to the west.