Davao Region / Davao del Norte
Panabo
A 2.3-kilometer twin-tube road tunnel is under construction between Toril in Davao City and Panabo City. When finished, it will be the longest road tunnel in the Philippines and cut the current trip to under an hour. DPWH allocated ₱210 million to repair the Panabo-TADECO circumferential road, which residents describe as a dangerous stretch with a long accident history. TADECO runs one of the largest banana plantations in Southeast Asia in the city. A biosecurity dispute over Fusarium wilt protection was active between TADECO and the Davao del Norte government in 2026.
Panabo at a Glance
- Location:
- Coastal Davao del Norte, 30km north of Davao City on the Davao to Tagum highway
- Province:
- Davao del Norte (Region XI)
- Mayor:
- Jose E. Relampagos
- Known for:
- Banana Capital of the Philippines, TADECO Cavendish exports, and Agriya agri tourism
- Major Industry:
- Tagum Agricultural Development Company (TADECO) banana plantations and export packing
- Local Stop:
- Panabo Mangroves Eco Park along the Davao Gulf shoreline in Barangay J.P. Laurel
- Barangays:
- 40
- Panabo City Hall and Freedom Park
- Panabo Mangroves Eco Park
- Agriya Naturetainment
- J.P. Laurel Mangrove Board Walk
Local context
Panabo's current mayor reference on this page is Jose Relampagos. Reported as Panabo City mayor elect in 2025 Davao del Norte proclamation coverage.
Panabo is linked to local place pages including Panabo Mangroves Eco Park, Agriya Naturetainment, Panabo City Hall and Freedom Park. Those pages help separate the city guide from a generic location summary by giving readers concrete markets, parks, transport corridors, civic districts, and visitor routes to compare.
The city profile emphasizes Panabo City Hall and Freedom Park, Panabo Mangroves Eco Park, Agriya Naturetainment, J.P. Laurel Mangrove Board Walk. These points give the page a practical local frame instead of treating the city as only a name on a regional map.
Landmarks and orientation points
- Panabo City Hall and Freedom Park
- Panabo Mangroves Eco Park
- Agriya Naturetainment
- J.P. Laurel Mangrove Board Walk
- Panabo City Parks and Plaza
Frequently Asked Questions About Panabo
What is Panabo City known for and why is it called the Banana Capital?
Panabo is known as the Banana Capital because it hosts some of the largest Cavendish plantations in the country, most notably TADECO. Thousands of hectares are dedicated to banana exports for international markets, and the city’s landscape is defined by the overhead cableways used to transport the fruit.
How do you get to Panabo City from Davao?
Panabo is on the main north south highway. Buses and vans heading to Tagum or Butuan from Davao’s Ecoland Terminal pass through regularly. The trip takes about 45 to 60 minutes, with non aircon bus fares ranging from ₱50 to ₱70.
What can you visit in Panabo besides the plantations?
Beyond the farms, you can visit the Panabo Mangroves Eco Park for coastal views or Agriya’s Naturetainment park for a farm tour. The city hall and Freedom Park also serve as a central civic hub for the 40 barangays.
What is there to do at Agriya?
Agriya is an 88 hectare township featuring guided farm tours, banana themed playgrounds, and agricultural demos. It costs around ₱150 to enter and is a popular destination for families.
Can you visit the banana plantations directly?
While the vast fields are visible from the national highway, TADECO is a private facility and usually requires prior coordination for tours. Agriya offers a more accessible way to learn about the banana industry.
How is Panabo different from Davao City?
While Davao City is the large regional center, Panabo provides the industrial and agricultural backbone of Davao del Norte. It is a smaller, coastal city focused on plantation logistics and agri tourism, offering a more provincial rhythm.
Source note
Reported as Panabo City mayor elect in 2025 Davao del Norte proclamation coverage.