A.      History

Tawi-Tawi as the southernmost frontier of the Philippines offers vast, untapped investment opportunities for both local and foreign investors. It consists of a group of islands and islets blessed with abundant natural resources, in both land and water. At present, it is part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Before September 27, 1973, the province was part of the Sultanate of Sulu; hence its history, tradition and institutions are similar or if not akin to that of the people of Sulu.

By virtue of Presidential Decree No. 302, signed by former President Ferdinand E. Marcos on September 27, 1973, Tawi-Tawi became a province of its own. It is the most peaceful province in the whole of the ARMM with statistical record of crime solution rate of 84.33. (PNP, 1988).

At present, the province has one (1) congressional district composed of 203 barangay divided among the ten  municipalities of Bongao, Languyan, Tandubas, Mapun, Panglima Sugala, Sapa-Sapa, Simunul, South Ubian, Sitangkai and Turtle Islands.

The archipelagic province is made up of 307 islands and islets, 88 of which are characterized by extensive reefs. Its total land and foreshore area combined is 206,202.3 hectares, one of the largest of the six city and provinces of the ARMM. Its foreshore area of 141,462.3 is larger than its land area of 108,730 hectares. The mainland, the largest island and where the highest peaks are located, is still forested. The province’s terrain ranges from level to steep. There are rivers, lakes and lagoons. There are also natural caves and rock formations.

In coastal areas, the climate is cool and breezy. In the interior, it is warm and humid. The province has two seasons, wet and dry. It averages 175 rainy days a year, with an average annual rainfall of 2,286.20 mms. Wind velocity and direction in the morning to 30 Celsius in the afternoon. Yearly mean sea level is 1,009.30 millibars. The entire archipelago is below the typhoon belt as it lies along the earth’s equatorial zone.

Of the total land area 108,740 hectares, 67,252 hectares are alienable and disposable while 41,488 are classified as forestlands. Established forest reserves and timberlands are 1,718 hectares and 16,261 respectively.

Abundance of fertile soil and a fair tropical climate make productive the cultivation of a wide variety of agricultural crops. Produced in commercial quantities are coconut, rice, rice, corn, tropical fruits and vegetables.

Tawi-Tawi coastline abounds with fishing grounds for variety of fishes and other marine species of high commercial value, such as tuna, grouper, sardines, sharks, mantis, squids, octopus, lobster and the like.

Seaweeds comprise the province’s export. Tawi-Tawi is also good for fish and pearl culture. It still has substantial coral reefs, oyster beds and mangroves. Other marine products include turtle eggs, shells, sea cucumber, sponges and bangus fry.

The province has a road network consisting of 137.42 kms of national roads; 179.360 of provincial roads; 112.67 kms of municipal roads; and, 337.840kms of barangay roads. It has 28 municipal ports, with Bongao wharf as the biggest with a berth of about 98 meters. There is one airport in Bongao and one airstrip each in Sibutu, Mapun and Tandubas.

Bongao has a waterworks system while the rest of the municipalities rely on rainwater and deep wells. Two municipalities, Bongao and Mapun, have electric cooperatives, TAWELCO and CASELCO, respectively. The National Power Corporation is currently expanding its energization program to at least four more municipalities.

The province has 15 post offices, two courier service firms, 3 telecommunication facilities, 5 cable stations and two radio stations.

There are five colleges in Tawi-Tawi, 47 secondary schools, 225 elementary schools and two technical/vocational institutes.

Total number of households in 1995 was 49,945.

There are 5 hospitals in 1995, with a total bed capacity of 120.

Providing financial services are three banks, two of them private.

There are 164 registered local businesses in 1997 with capital ranging from 150,000.00 to P6 million.

B.       Geographical Location

C.       Land Area And Classification

The archipelagic province is made up of 307 islands and islets, 88 of which are characterized by extensive reefs. Its total land and foreshore area combined is 206,202.3 hectares, one of the largest of the six city and provinces of the ARMM. Its foreshore area of 141,462.3 is larger than its land area of 108,730 hectares. The mainland, the largest island and where the highest peaks are located, is still forested. The province’s terrain ranges from level to steep. There are rivers, lakes and lagoons. There are also natural caves and rock formations.

D.       Demography

In 2000, Tawi-Tawi has total population of 322,317 inhabitants. Eighty-four percent Sama including Jama Mapun and Badjao while the remaining 16 percent compose the Tausog, Bisaya and other tribes. Ninety five percent are Muslims and the remaining five percent belong to Christian denomination and other minor sects. One out of three persons speaks Tausog while almost one half of the population speaks the native Sinama.

Literacy rate is 79.8% in 1990 and there has been an increase in the number of high school graduates and academic degree holders. The Labor Force Participation Rate is 57.1% percent while unemployment stood at 7.4%. Agriculture and fisheries remain the major industries of the province. In 2000, the average annual family income was P57, 931.00. Poverty incidence is 68.9%