Physical Features

Land Area

It has an area of 46,083 hectares comprising of eighteen (18) barangays wherein thirteen (13) is located along the coast and five (5) barangays are in the hinterlands. The biggest and smallest barangays in terms of land area are Rajah Cabungsuan with 11,588 hectares and Mansailao with 343 hectares, respectively. With Barangay Poblacion as the official seat of the Municipal Government Unit.

LAND AREA BY BARANGAY

Reference: Municipal Planning and Development Office, Lingig, SdS

The other event of interest which involved the Municipality of Lingig, Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental was about the political boundary conflict. The row was sparked by Mayor Onsing’s report to the DENR Mines Regional Office in Davao City. In his report, the Mayor questioned the legality of the permit issued by Davao Oriental Governor Rosalinda Lopez to the small scale miners who conducted mining operations on the barangays claimed to be within the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Lingig.

The conflict had escalated into a raging controversy between the Province of Surigao del Sur represented by Provincial Officials headed by Governor Primo T. Murillo, Vice Governor Jesus Magno and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Tito Cañedo and Davao Oriental represented by Governor Rosalinda Lopez and party. Both provinces claimed ownership of some areas south of Lingig. Also joining the squabble was PICOP which claimed the Road 5M, Sitio Tamsian, Barangay Pagtilaan where the miners operated in the vicinity was inside the PICOP Timber License Agreement (TLA) No. 43.

After both provinces had submitted their possession papers, the committee created to decide on the case up with its findings in favor of Surigao del Sur. The case was however; elevated to higher body and the conflict has been resolved.

Climatic Trends

The municipality falls under the second type of climate, characterized by rainfall distributed throughout the year, although there is a distinct rainy season which begins from the month of October and ends in March, and the months with low rainfall are from April to September. The average rainfall is 271.8 millimeters and the average temperature is 27.2 degrees Celsius.

It has been observed, however, that the climatic behavior of the municipality for the past ten years (10) has shown some variations. The onset of the rainy days and dry season no longer occur on time as they used to be.

The northeast trade wind is the prevailing winds almost the year round particularly during the dry season. During some parts of the year, the wind coming from the southwesterly direction passes through the municipality sometimes bringing rains. This enables the farmers to plant their crops in the lowlands. Strong winds occur especially during the rainy season when the northeast monsoon blows. Although the eastern side of the municipality is exposed to the Pacific Ocean, the municipality lies outside the typhoon belt with exposure placed at 7% only.

Topography

The general shape of the municipality is elongated and its coastline is irregular. The northern side is narrow estimated at 1.6 kilometers wide and the southern side is approximated at 70 kilometers wide. The widest portion runs through Barangays Poblacion and Rajah Cabungsuan which is more or less 26 kilometers. It has been estimated that about 73% of the total land area of the municipality consists of highland and mountains which are largely covered by protection forests.

The municipality is characterized by 7.92% gently sloping area with land sloping area in one general direction, 6.0% gently undulating and rolling land sloping in more than one general direction, 27.16% moderately undulating and gently rolling land sloping in more than one direction, 43.79% steeply undulating and rolling land sloping in many directions and 15.30% of very steeply sloping and rolling land in many directions.

This municipality is graced with rich fishing grounds and aqua-marine resources. The Barangay Union is characterized by vast fertile plains, while Rajah Cabungsuan is located between the boundary of Lingig and the Municipality of Trento within ridges of Mt. Diwata range which serves as the source of many rivers, creeks and streams.

LAND AREA BY ELEVATION

Slope

The slope classification of the municipality indicates that 0-3% slope consisting of 3,602 hectares or 8.39% of the total land area is recommended for intensive agriculture. Of the 18 barangays only Valencia has 100% of its total area classified as 0-3% slope. This is followed by Barangay Sabang with 64% of its area or 902 hectares classified into 0-3% slope.

Throughout the municipality only Barangay Barcelona has the slope classification of 3-5% that constitutes 796 hectares of its total land area which slope is very gently sloping and still recommended for intensive agriculture.

The municipality’s land area of 2,359 hectares is gently sloping and still recommended for agriculture. This area is classified into 5-8% slope. Barangay Bongan has the largest area of 720 hectares with 5-8% slope classification and followed by Mahayahay with 708 hectares.

The land area of the municipality classified under 8-15% slope is 3,878 hectares. Barangay Rajah Cabungsuan has the largest area of 1,917 hectares that belongs to 8-15% slope and Poblacion with the smallest area of 94 hectares only. This slope is moderately rolling land with limited arability and crop suitability.

Under the 15-18% slope classification the municipality has a total equivalent area of 1,088 hectares which is rolling land suited for pasture. Only four (4) barangays with land areas classified under this slope category with Barangay Mahayahay has the largest area of 708 hectares.

Of the total land area of the municipality 73% of which is classified under the 18% and above slope classification or 31,220 hectares of lands are hilly and mountainous suited for forestry. Of all the barangays with this slope classification Rajah Cabungsuan has the largest area of 10,863 hectares while barangays Bogak and Palo-alto are classified under the 18% and above slope classification. 

LAND AREA BY SLOPE CLASSIFICATION 

Soil Types

The soil of Lingig can be categorized into four (4) types, namely; Malalag Clay Loam, Camansa Clay Loam, Camansa Sandy Clay Loam and Hydrosol.

The northern part of Lingig is characterized with Malalag Clay Loam and with an equivalent area of 6,306 hectares. This soil is best suited for vegetable and upland rice production.

The Camansa Clay Loam is located mid-portion of the elongated shape of the municipality. It is estimated at 13,200 hectares of land and its crop suitability is for coco and rubber trees plantation.

The rich Camansa Sandy Clay Loam soil in the 22,700 hectares of land southwest of the municipality is identified best for industrial tree plantations.

While the Hydrosol category of soil is considered best for fishpond and salt beds, it is mostly located near the Poblacion and its adjacent barangays with an area of 750 hectares only. 

Sub-watersheds and Drainage 

Highlighting herein the watershed areas with lowest area coverage wherein Mahang-it Island with 6 hectares coverage and Bislig watershed with the highest coverage of 11,197 hectares. Most of the watershed are victims of tree poachers or illegal loggers. A month long without rain will reduce drastically the supply of water especially for the domestic uses. There is now a need to rehabilitate and protect the watershed areas throughout the municipality for it will make a problem in the sustainability of water supply in the future. Watershed that should be declared protected areas. Another problem that the municipality will encounter in the future are landslide and flooding if these watershed will be restored.

Watershed Area