DAR-MinSAAD

Project Area

Matanao

Description

Matanao is a 4th-class municipality in Davao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines, founded on June 17, 1957 . It spans about 202 km², with elevations from 25 m to 111 m, and is home to around 60,493 residents as of the 2020 census.

Economy
Primarily a rice-farming municipality, with growing banana plantations (Cavendish, Lakatan) in barangays Manga, Dongan‑Pekong, and Saboy.

Land use also includes corn, vegetables, and fruit cultivation.

Matanao offers a blend of agricultural livelihoods, rich cultural diversity, and natural attractions—from rice and banana fields to caves, waterfalls, and mountain resorts. With community-led eco-tourism initiatives, it’s evolving into a mindful destination that values sustainability, local empowerment, and peaceful development.