Bobay is a Mandaya term which means female or woman. In 2010, about 37.0 percent of the household population of Davao Oriental reported Mandaya as their ethnicity. Mandaya means “the first people upstream,” derived from man (“first”) and daya (“upstream or upper portion of a river”). Large concentration of Mandaya people are found in the Municipalities of Caraga, Baganga and Cateel.

The formulation of statistical indicators seemed as inevitable as the need to present a more factual picture of women situation, magnify relevant issues and concerns, implement appropriate programs, and monitor the effectiveness of interventions.

The data presented herein were taken from the 2018 Women and Men in Davao Region. It is the sixth update of this regional statistical handbook, now produced by the newly created Philippine Statistics Authority XI by virtue of Republic Act 10625.

Of the total population 5 years old and over, 47.6 percent had attended or completed elementary education, 31.9 percent had reached or finished high school, 7.2 percent were college undergraduates, and 5.0 percent were academic degree holders.

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Among those with academic degrees, there were more females (59.3 percent) than males (40.7 percent).  Similarly, among those with post baccalaureate courses, females (63.8 percent) outnumbered males (36.2 percent).