National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA) Caraga Regional Director Carmencita Cochingco bares the history of
Caraga and how it became an administrative region. She recalls that the "Kalagans",
called "Caragans" by the Spaniards, occupied the district composed of
the two provinces of Surigao, the northern part of Davao Oriental and eastern
Misamis Oriental. The two Agusan provinces were later organized under the
administrative jurisdiction of Surigao and became the independent Agusan
province in 1914. In 1960, Surigao was divided into Norte and Sur, and in June
1967, Agusan followed suit. While Butuan then was just a town of Agusan, the
logging boom in the 1950s drew business to the area. On August 2, 1950, by
virtue of Republic Act 523, the City Charter of Butuan was approved. (Richard
D. Atillo, PIA-Caraga)
Former Agusan del Norte Congresswoman BGen. Charito
“Ching” Plaza, one of the authors who made Caraga as an administrative region
expresses her warm thanks and happiness that Caraganons have not forgotten her
efforts and initiatives while she was still in congress. She also bares that Caraga
Region was created through Republic Act No. 7901 on February 23, 1995. The
region is composed of five provinces: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao
del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands; with six cities: Bayugan,
Butuan, Cabadbaran, Surigao, Tandag, Bislig; 67 municipalities and 1,311
barangays. Butuan City is the regional center. (Richard D. Atillo, PIA-Caraga)
Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga Regional
Director Dr. Edna Mabeza bares that their agency have already submitted their
report to DA Central Office regarding the damages of agriculture during the
onslaught of Tropical Depression "Crising" which hits the region
recently. DA is doing its measure to replace the palay seeds that were washed
out during the massive flooding. (Jennifer P. Gaitano, PIA-Caraga)
