The Island Garden City of Samal is a 4th class city in the province of Davao del Norte, Philippines. The Igacos or famously known as Samal is part of the Davao metropolitan area and is two kilometers away from Davao City, the largest city and the main economic center of Mindanao. The name Samal derives from the Sama Bajau peoples, the indigenous people who were the first inhabitants of the island. It has a population of 116,711 inhabitants, according to the 2020 census.
Brief History
In the past, the inhabitants of the island named a place for which this place was known; the Peñaplata is said to derive from the word "pineapple" due to the abundance of pineapples in the area; This is a popular etymology, however, as Peñaplata literally means "silver rock" in Spanish.
Later on, Spain controlled to triumph over the island withinside the past due 1840s while Nueva Vergara (Davao City today) became established. Japanese forces occupied the island and pressured human beings to paint for 4 years till they have been expelled via way of means of the Allied forces. The time got here on July 8, 1948, when the complete island itself turns into a part of the newly created municipality of Samal it became the reputable founding of the municipality.
In 1953, the municipality of Babak became comprised of Samal, marking the political department of the island among the 2 municipalities. In 1969, a proposal to create the sub-province of Samal was created by Republic Act No. 5999 and covered the area of the present-day city. Samal is the only city in the country that encompasses two entire islands, hence its name the Island Garden City.
Economy
The city's economy depends greatly on 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.
Beach in Kaputian, Samal Island The city is the largest resort city in the country. It has also numerous marine reefs and tranquil waters that lure tourists to visit them, especially on Talikud Island. There are 34 registered resorts with a combined capacity of 1,000 rooms in the city. The most popular of these is the Pearl Farm Beach Resort, owned by Ms. Universe 1973 winner Margarita Moran.
Because of these, the Department of Tourism named it one of the best-visiting islands in Mindanao and is currently one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the country. Thus, tourism is the main source of income in the city. The biggest taxes are imposed on the tourism and resort industry.
There are 3 primary fairs held yearly withinside the metropolis, namely: White Nights Festival, which takes vicinity each day with Kaputian because the venue, celebrates the metropolis's cultural and ancient heritage; and Fishing is likewise a developing commercial enterprise region in this metropolis and it can't completely supplement the call for meat merchandise imported from different components of the country, mainly in close by Davao City.
The metropolis has a number of port and deep-water terminals, besides a barge wharf at Babak district, to supply marketplace merchandise without delay to the metropolis, so the metropolis authorities recommended constructing fishery complexes throughout the metropolis to limit the call for marketplace merchandise imported to the metropolis.
Island City Express (operated through Mindanao Star) every day trip to Kaputian, Babak, and Peñaplata from Davao City (thru Kinawitnon ferry port).
There are three main festivals held annually in the city, namely;
The Kabasan Festival, which coincides with the founding of Babak municipality celebrated every month of May. The famous activities are bikini open contests, fireworks displays, avenue-dancing and avenue parties, and motocross events
The White Nights Festival takes region each day held at the beaches in Kaputian and celebrates the city's cultural and ancient heritage
The Hugyaw Madayaw Festival is a spin-off of Davao's Kadayawan Festival which is likewise held yearly in August, and additionally, an try and keep the diminishing Sama lifestyle withinside the island.
