Samal City, Davao Del Norte

“Island Garden City”

History

 

The island of Samal was originally called as Sama. That was also the ethnic name of the inhabitants living in the island before. They were ruled by Datu Taganiyug, a native of Peñaplata. The island was already an established community, with regards to trade, as it joined the trading with China.

When the Spaniards came, the free and peaceful place of Samal was guarded with arms and weapons. Their freedom from its conqueror didn’t stop at the surrender of the Spaniards of the whole Philippines as the Japanese took over the whole country.

During the World War II, the island didn’t escape the tragic events of it. The Japanese figter planes bombed some of the areas in Samal resulting to the death of many of its inhabitants and destruction of much of its place. The people were forced by these Japanese soldiers to work for four years until they were expelled by the Allied forces.

After the war, the city continued to move forward as infrastructures were built like schools, churches and market places in the area.

July 8, 1948, the entire island was converted into a municipality. That progress alone did not stop the municipality to flourish as it was changed to be a chartered city on January 30, 1998.

Population/ Language/ Area

 

The total land area of Samal City is 30,130 with a total population of 82,609.

Business Opportunity

 

Samal City, Davao Del NorteThe city is the largest resort city of the Philippines, due to its good beaches, and it also houses many beach resorts, such as Kaputian Resort, Pearl Farm, Paradise Island, and many more. It has also numerous marine reefs and tranquil waters that lure the tourists to visit them. Because of these, the Department of Tourism named it one of the best visiting islands in Mindanao and now the fastest growing tourist destination in the country. Thus, tourism is the main source of income in the city. Biggest taxes are imposed to tourism and resort industry.

Tourist Spots

Vanishing Island – half of the 80 hectare shoal emerges as sand bar during low tide but vanishes during high tide.