The Roman Catholic Diocese of Tandag is the local Church of the province of Surigao del Sur, on the Pacific coast of eastern Mindanao. It covers the cities of Tandag and Bislig and the province’s seventeen municipalities, from Carrascal in the north to Lingig in the south.
The diocese was established in 1978, when its territory was separated from the Diocese of Surigao. It belongs to the Ecclesiastical Province of Cagayan de Oro, whose Metropolitan Archbishop presides over the dioceses of Northern Mindanao.
At a glance
| Territory | Province of Surigao del Sur (2 cities, 17 municipalities), about 4,933 km² |
| Established | 1978, from the Diocese of Surigao |
| Ecclesiastical province | Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro |
| Cathedral | San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral, Tandag City |
| Principal patron | St. Nicholas of Tolentino (feast: 10 September) |
| Secondary patron | St. Pio of Pietrelcina |
| Catholic population | About 607,000 of 773,000 people (2023) |
| Communities | 30 parishes and 4 quasi-parishes, with 778 chapels (2023) |
| Clergy | 64 diocesan priests and 7 religious priests (2023) |
Parishes and vicariates
The parishes are grouped into vicariates, each led by a Vicar Forane who helps the Bishop care for the priests and communities of his area. Most parishes serve many barangay chapels, where lay leaders gather the faithful for the Word of God, catechesis and prayer between the visits of the priest.
See all parishes by vicariate →
Small Christian communities
Following the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines and the Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference, the diocese builds its pastoral life on Basic Ecclesial Communities, known here as the Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK). Neighbours gather to reflect on the Gospel, pray together and serve one another.
Religious communities
The diocese is enriched by men and women religious who serve in its parishes, schools and missions, among them the Augustinian Recollects, the Stigmatine Fathers, the Poor Clare nuns of Cantilan, the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, the Missionary Sisters of Mary, the ICM Sisters, and several Dominican congregations.
Unitas Radio 103.1 FM
The diocese operates its own station, Unitas Radio 103.1 FM (DXMW), broadcasting from the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Mabua, Tandag City, as part of the Catholic Media Network. It was inaugurated in September 2023, during the celebration of 400 years of Christianity in Surigao del Sur.
The land we serve
Surigao del Sur faces the Pacific Ocean along the eastern edge of Mindanao: a coast of islands and coves, forested hills and rivers. Tap a photo to see it larger.
