City of Tandag Syudad sa Tandag Lungsod ng Tandag
—  Component city  —
Seal
Map of Surigao del Sur showing the location of Tandag City
Country	Philippines
Region	CARAGA (Region XIII)
Province	Surigao del Sur
Districts	1st district of Surigao del Sur (City and Capital of the province)
Barangays	21
Incorporated (town)
Incorporated (city)	19 February 2009
Government
• Mayor	Alexander T. Pimentel
• Vice Mayor	Rosario Ninfa G. Dumagan II
Population (2000)
• Total	44,327
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	8300
Area code(s)	086
Website	https://www.tandag.gov.ph/

Tandag is a city and the provincial capital of the province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 44,327 people in 8,449 households.

Barangays [link]

Tandag is politically subdivided into 21 barangays.

Languages [link]

• Tandaganon (Main dialect)
• Bisaya
• Cebuano
• Tagalog
• English
• Manobo

History [link]

• Before the Spaniards came, the aborigines of the province were the Mamanua and Manobo. Later, our Austronesian brothers from the Visayas came to settle with the natives. It was with the arrival of the immigrants that the province acquired its name from one of the natives, Saliagao, who lived near the mouth of the river.The name Saliagao was later pronounced Surigao by the inhabitants.
• It is also said that long time ago, some Visayan fishermen forced by the strong current of the Surigao Strait, sought refuge in one of the huts somewhere in the province. The Mamanua who thought that these fishermen wanted to occupy the hut by force said “Agaw”, the term which was later given a prefix “Suri” by an immigrant.

Surigao formerly, was extended from what is known as Agusan, including the islands east of it and the northern regions of Davao and the capital of the province that time was Caraga and so the Spaniards called the people Caragas.

• The aborigines of Surigao del Sur were a conglomeration and mixture of different racial types, namely: Mandaya, Mamanua, Mansaka and Manobo. These racial groups were of Malayan-Indonesian ancestry which took place thousand years ago. In the course of their migration, these primitive nomads were believed to have separated their ways in some portions of the archipelago in a spirit of adventure and search for food (i.e., during the pleistocene of the glacial ages). It was believed further that they first settled in the northern island of the country who later took their bancas and reach the shores of Mindanao particularly in the Provinces of Surigao and Davao. They scattered among themselves in spots either in pairs or by family clans, retaining their own customs, dialects and ways of life.
• There was no trace of exact dates and places of arrival. But it was known that this group of people were very nomadic and were the remnants of the present Mamanua and Manobo found in the wilderness of the northern part of Davao bordering the Province of Surigao. Their migratory movement was said to have come from the hinterlands of Agusan and along the foothills of western and southern part of Surigao del Sur. It was pointed out that the cause of migration was due to famine and occurrence of death from diseases believed caused by evil spirits.
• The Province of Surigao del Sur was created as the 56th Philippine province on June 19, 1960 by virtue of RA 2786 and was formally organized or separated from its mother province, Surigao del Norte, on September 18, 1960.
• At the time of its inception, it was classified as 4th Class province with an annual income of over P300,000.00. Seven years later, because of rapid increase of revenue collection particularly from the logging ventures, it has been reclassified as Ist Class B and in 1980 as 1st Class A with an estimated annual income of around P13,000,000.00. Presently, it is reclassified as 2nd Class with a revenueadding up to P315,888,300.63.
• Honorable Recaredo B. Castillo was the appointed Governor and subsequently elected Governor and Honorable Vicente L. Pimentel as the first elected Congressman. Hon. Vicente T. Pimentel, Jr. is the eighth and incumbent Provincial Executive.
• Originally the province had 13 municipalities. In subsequent years, six more were added raising the number to 19 with Tandag as the capital. Now, two of its municipalities have been elevated to cities; the first was Bislig City. In 2007 Tandag was granted cityhood but it was nullified via a controversial decision by the Supreme Court a year later. In 2009, Tandag would get back its city status after the SC reversed its own ruling on December 22, 2009.

Geography [link]

CLIMATE

Type II Climate characterized by no dry season and with a very pronounced maximum rainfall from November to January. The City enjoys steady weather condition being outside the typhoon belt.

Culture and festivals [link]

• Tandag annually celebrates the feast day of San Nicolas de Tolentino, Tandag's patron saint, every 10 September. A novena in honor of San Nicholas is held for nine consecutive days starting the 1st of September in the San Nicholas de Tolentino Cathedral. It is the highlight of the City's Fiesta. In connection to this, a week-long celebration is organized by the Local Government Unit of Tandag. A parade, concert and bazaar are just some of annual perks lined up for said celebration.

• Diwatahan Festival is held every January in honor of Sto. Nino. Tandag City also organizes a one-day cultural dance competition for interested dance groups held at the Tandag City Plaza. Diwatahan Festival is the counterpart of Cebu City's Sinulog Festival.

• Since Tandag is the capital of the province of Surigao del Sur, it hosts the annual Araw ng Surigao del Sur Celebration. A trade fair showcasing the products from the different municipalities of Surigao del Sur is one of the week-long events while a local pageant entitled, Mutya ng Surigao del Sur held at the Tandag City Gymnasium in Bongtud serves as the highlight of the event.

Diwatahan Festival

Newest units as of March 2012 Bachelor Tours 406 and 402 Davao - Tandag route

Newest unit as of March 2012 Bachelor Tours 406 Davao - Tandag route

Bachelor Tours 407 Davao - Tandag route

Bachelor Tours 320 Butuan - Tandag route

Saint Michael Bus Lines Corp. Pasay/Cubao - Tandag route

Super 5 Pasay/Cubao - Tandag route

Transportation [link]

City proper

• Tricycles around the vicinity of the city

By Air

• From Manila or Cebu to Davao City as transit point, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Airphil Express ply the Manila-Davao-Manila (approx. 1-1/2 hours travel time) and Cebu-Davao-Cebu (approx. 45 minutes travel time) several trips daily.
• From Manila or Cebu to Butuan City as transit point, Philippine Airlines, Airphil Express and Cebu Pacific ply these routes three times a week.
• From Manila or Cebu to Surigao City as transit point, Airphil Express and Cebu Pacific ply these routes three times a week.
• Mid-Sea Express flies Tandag-Cebu (vv) current 3X a week their office can be found at the Haguisan Inn.

By Land

• Multicabs & Jeepneys around Northern & Southern Surigao del Sur Routes including Surigao City, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, & Bislig City
• Buses routes from Davao City, Butuan City, Surigao City (Bachelor Express), Pasay City & Cubao (PP Bus Line) (Super 5) (St. Michael Bus Liner Corp.)

By Sea

• Inter-island vessels like the SuperFerry and Sulpicio Lines ply the Manila-Butuan or Cebu-Butuan routes on regular schedules with Nasipit Port as transit point. Air-con vans are available at the wharf and in the Nasipit terminal or a jeepney ride to the Butuan City terminal for the regular bus trips to Tandag.

Hotels, Inns and Pension Houses [link]

• Villa Maria Luisa
• Shacene Pension House
• Selades Apartelle
• Haguisan Inn

Fast food and restaurants [link]

• Goldbar Restaurant
• Gelato FastFood
• The Port Floating Restaurant
• Jakahs Grill (2 Branches)
• Shacene Restaurant
• Kroo Kroo Resto bar
• Cafe La Jara
• TT & Co. Food Court
• Beboy's Grill (Near Closure)
• Various Grilled Chicken Restaurants along the highway e.g Botoys, Sr. Pedro, CFC, Chooks to go
• Jollibee On-Wheels (occasionally)
• Aioli Bistro- located ground floor at the Haguisan Inn
• Bahay ni AgU (offers unlimited rice)

Banking institutions [link]

• Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) (LBP)
• Philippine National Bank (PNB)
• Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC)
• Green Bank of Caraga
• Enterprise Bank
• Rural Bank of Tandag
• Cantilan Bank
• Banco Carascal
• Peoples Bank of Caraga

Commercial centers [link]

• NOVO Jeans and Shirts
• Shopper's Delight
• Fedy Mart
• V. Guerra Commercial Center
• Quintos Comercial Center
• TT & Company Department and Superstore
• Ultra Star Supermart (They have The Biggest Supermarket in the Province)
• Gaisano Capital Tandag (proposed)

Government institutions [link]

• Office of the Representative of the 1st District of Surigao del Sur
• Office of the Governor
• Surigao del Sur Provincial Capitol
• Department of Education (DepEd)
• Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)
• Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources office
• Philhealth
• Social Security System (SSS)
• Department of Environment and Natural Resources office (DENR/CENRO)
• Land Transportation office (LTO)
• Provincial Agriculturist office

Hospitals [link]

• Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center (Soon will be a 250 bed D.O.H Tertiary Hospital)
• Medical Mission Group Hospital
• Pama Polyclinic

Education [link]

• Tandag Pilot Elementary School
• Tandag Central Elementary School
• Telaje Elementary School
• Saint Theresa College of Tandag (www.stctandag.edu.ph)
• Surigao del Sur Polytechnic State University - Main Campus (www.sdssu.edu.ph)
• Jacinto P. Elpa National High School https://jpenhs.tandag.org
• Tandag National Science High School
• Vicente L. Pimentel Sr. National High School
• Buenavista National High School
• Tandag Christian School
• Surigao del Sur SPED Center (www.sdsspedcenter.org)
• Tandag Science Elementary School

Tourism [link]

• Goldbar Restaurant located at Mabua faces the Pacific Ocean. With a classic Filipino ambiance, this three-storey restaurant famous in Tandag boasts Filipino cuisine. Some of their best-sellers include Crispy Pata, various seafood dishes like King Crab and Prawns and the classic Halu-Halo.

• Shacene by the Sea located at Mabua is also a key place for fine dining. Like Goldbar Restaurant, it also faces the Pacific Ocean and has even created a platform by the seaside for customers to get a breeze of sea air while enjoying their meal.

• La Jara is the so-called 'Starbucks' of the city. The quaint coffee shop is situated in Osmena Street in Bag-ong Lungsod.

• Nico's Grill located Near Pimentel Sports Complex is the new clubbing central in Tandag. Most Tandaganons flock here for a well-deserved night out with friends and family.

• Shrine of the Our Lady of Lourdes at Bongtud is located at the summit of a mountain where one can see a full 360 view of the city.

• Various ukay-ukay stores in Bag-ong Lungsod is a good place to shop for second hand fashion items. Befriend the saleslady and you might just get a discount.

• Tandag Town Plaza in downtown Tandag located near Saint Theresa College and the San Nicholas de Tolentino Cathedral. One can enjoy a lazy afternoon in the park while eating an ice cream from nearby snack bars.

• Tandag Boulevard in Mabua is best visited at night with the colorful lamp posts, windy sea air and various stalls that offer Filipino street food like fish balls, kwek kwek, barbecued pork, isaw, etc.

• Various Grilled Chicken Restaurants line up the Capitol Road between Telaje and Osmena St in Bag-ong Lungsod. From lechon manok to a simple pork barbecue stick, the restaurants here has got you covered for affordable yet yummy meals.

• Capitol Hills in Telaje also offers a good view of the city. The Governor Murillo Sports Complex, the newly renovated Provincial Capitol, Social Hall and the Tennis Court are all located here.

• Muyco's Beach Resort in Mabua is the main beach where plenty of locals flock to especially during the Summer because of its accessibility. If you catch some locals doing skim boarding, try to approach them and learn this new sport. Tandaganons would be delighted to tutor a guest of the city. There are also other nearby beach resorts such as the Parola Beach Resort.

• On the 10th - located in Haguisan Inn, the heart of the city, it's ideal for quite private dining or get togethers.

Surigao del Sur Provincial Capitol, Tandag City

Telecommunications [link]

Radio

• 89.3 MHz Real Radio
• 92.1 MHz Planet Energy Fm
• 97.5 MHz Shure Fm
• 95.9 MHz way kurat Fm
• 97.1 MHz Christian Fm

Internet Radio

• 93.9 MHz iFM Davao
• 101.1 MHz M.O.R. Davao
• 90.7 MHz Love Radio Davao
• 96.3 MHz Star FM Davao
• 89.1 MHz KillerBee FM Davao

Television

• GMA TV 2 Tandag
• TNTV 6 (Local News TV)

Cable providers

• Morning Star Cable TV
• Cignal Digital TV

Telephone providers

• PLDT SMEs thru Smart Cell-site
• TETCO

Internet Service Providers

• TETCO DSL
• Globe Broadband
• Smart Broadband
• PLDT SMEs

Cellular Network Providers

• Globe Telecom, Inc.
• Smart Communications, Inc.
• Sun Cellular Inc.

Cityhood [link]

Tandag along with the other 15 towns recently regained its citihood after the Supreme Court reversed its earlier decision.

Recently Tandag lost its cityhood, along with 15 other cities, after the Supreme Court of the Philippines granted a petition filed by the League of Cities of the Philippines, and declared the cityhood law (RA 9392) which allowed the town to acquire its city status, unconstitutional. The said cities, the court ruled, did not meet the requirements for cityhood.

More than a year later, on December 22, 2009, acting on the appeal of the so-called "League of 16 Cities" (of which Tandag is a part of), the Supreme Court reversed its earlier ruling as it ruled that "at the end of the day, the passage of the amendatory law (regarding the criteria for cityhood as set by Congress) is no different from the enactment of a law, i.e., the cityhood laws specifically exempting a particular political subdivision from the criteria earlier mentioned. Congress, in enacting the exempting law/s, effectively decreased the already codified indicators."^[1] As such, the cityhood status of Tandag is effectively restored.

But on August 24, 2010, in a 16-page resolution, the Supreme Court reinstated its November 18, 2008 decision striking down the Cityhood laws^[2] making Tandag a municipality again.

Voting 7-6, with two justices not taking part, the SC reinstated its Nov. 18, 2008 decision declaring as unconstitutional the Republic Acts (RAs) converting 16 municipalities into cities again.

On February 15, 2011, the supreme court upheld for the 3rd time the cityhood of Tandag and 15 other towns in the Philippines. ^[3]

References [link]

External links [link]

• https://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20110216-320609
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code

v t e Cities of the Philippines Highly-urbanized Cities Angeles Bacolod Baguio Butuan Cagayan de Oro Caloocan Cebu Davao General Santos Iligan Iloilo Lapu-Lapu Las Piñas Lucena Makati Malabon Mandaluyong Mandaue Manila Marikina Muntinlupa Naga, Camarines Sur Navotas Olongapo Parañaque Pasay Pasig Puerto Princesa Quezon City San Juan Tacloban Taguig Valenzuela Zamboanga Independent Component Cities Cotabato Dagupan Ormoc Santiago Component Cities Alaminos Antipolo Bago Bais Balanga Batangas Batac Bayawan Baybay Bayugan Biñan Bislig Bogo Borongan Cabadbaran Cabanatuan Cadiz Calamba Calapan Calbayog Candon Canlaon Carcar Catbalogan Cauayan Cavite Danao Dapitan Dasmariñas Digos Dipolog Dumaguete El Salvador Escalante Gapan Gingoog Guihulngan Himamaylan Ilagan Iriga Isabela Kabankalan Kidapawan Koronadal La Carlota Lamitan Laoag Legazpi Lipa Maasin Malaybalay Malolos Marawi Masbate Mati Meycauayan Muñoz Naga, Cebu Oroquieta Ozamiz Pagadian Palayan Panabo Passi Roxas Sagay Samal San Carlos, Negros Occidental San Carlos, Pangasinan San Fernando, La Union San Fernando, Pampanga San Jose San Jose del Monte San Pablo Santa Rosa Silay Sipalay Sorsogon Surigao Tabuk Tacurong Tagaytay Tagbilaran Tagum Talisay, Cebu Talisay, Negros Occidental Tanauan Tandag Tangub Tanjay Tarlac Tayabas Toledo Trece Martires Tuguegarao Urdaneta Valencia Victorias Vigan

Coordinates: 9°05′N 126°12′E / 9.083°N 126.2°E / 9.083; 126.2