The province Surigao del Norte looks in a first sight on the map to be a very small province, particularly in comparison with the province Surigao del Sur which probably, on the other side, is one of the longest in the Philippines.

To Surigao del Norte belongs a big number of islands north of Mindanao in the ocean in direction to the islands of Leyte and Samar, in what is called Surigao Strait.

 

The biggest islands is named Siargao Island, Bucas Grande Island, Humon Island and Dinagat Island.
The seaboard in Surigao del Norte is extremely beautiful with overgrown mountain peaks, made of pumice stone which is seemed floating like islands in the water, creating imaginative forms gradually while the weather and the wind polish them. The ocean invites tourists for surfing because of its famous surfs, and for the fisherman there is an possibility to catch small sharks here.

The provincial town is Surigao City. In the city is a harbour area with a ferry terminal for journeys to adjacent islands. There is also a ferry terminal outside the city situated in Lipata, were bigger ferries to Cebu and Manila departs.

The infrastructure with ferry departures is very transforming here.

In Surigao City you can also find an American subdivision. It is derived from the time when the Philippines was involved with many Nato bases. The soldiers is still left after marriage with Filipinos but by the reason that they are not any more a part of the former transport system, routes and destinations has changed depending on the wishes from the travelling people.

The north part of the province is fertile with rice fields while the western parts is mountainous. In the eastern part of the province is Mount Legaspi located. It is a part of the mountain chain that is stretching south through eastern Mindanao. The mountains is rich of minerals and in Taganito is one of the largest open-cast mines which is ran by Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC).

Filipino Tribe Mission are providing children for sponsorship in this area, and in cooperation with TMC is an agreement that TMC, who also give aid to the Mamanwa tribe with houses in a small area called Taganito Tribal Communication Center (Tricom), supply Filipino Tribe Mission with room in purpose for education if FTM supply with teachers.
 

Read more about TMC's engagement
at this link

The province Surigao del Sur is a coastal province and is located southeast of Surigao del Norte with The Philippine sea to the east.
The province is covering half of the eastern coast of Mindanao and is in the south bordering Davao Oriental which is covering the other half of the eastern coast.

Surigao del Sur is a poor province with much jungle vegetation and poor roads. One main road is stretched from Surigao City in Surigao del Norte through the provincial town Tandag to Davao City.

The population is concentrated along the main roads but a big number of tribes is living in the jungle mainly alike they always has done since the islands was populated many thousands of years ago.

Filipino Tribe Mission has co-operators that is grown up in the area and know several of the tribal languages. They work hard to spread ability of reading and writing among the native people but is also concerned to keep culture and traditions alive, like dishes and dances.