Cateel

Cateel
Municipality of Cateel
Aliwagwag Falls
Map of Davao Oriental with Cateel highlighted
Interactive map of Cateel
Cateel
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 7°47′24″N 126°27′11″E / 7.79°N 126.4531°E / 7.79; 126.4531
CountryPhilippines
RegionDavao Region
ProvinceDavao Oriental
District 1st district
EstablishedOctober 29, 1903
Barangays16 (see Barangays)
Government
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorErlinda C. Nuñez
 • Vice MayorCamilo T. Nuñez
 • RepresentativeCorazon N. Malanyaon
 • Municipal Council
Members
  • Patrocenio I. Veroy
  • Anna Cheryl N. Castro
  • Alderito A. Silverio
  • Michael D. Rosalia
  • Isidro S. Castro
  • Wilbur Y. Chua
  • Brillo P. Quibo
  • Nemesio C. Magno III
 • Electorate33,776 voters (2025)
Area
 • Total
545.56 km2 (210.64 sq mi)
Elevation
233 m (764 ft)
Highest elevation
2,484 m (8,150 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2024 census)
 • Total
45,623
 • Density83.626/km2 (216.59/sq mi)
 • Households
10,902
Economy
 • Income class2nd municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
30.58
% (2021)
 • Revenue₱ 306.9 million (2022)
 • Assets₱ 397.2 million (2022)
 • Expenditure₱ 256.6 million (2022)
 • Liabilities₱ 163.2 million (2022)
Service provider
 • ElectricityDavao Oriental Electric Cooperative (DORECO)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
8205
PSGC
IDD:area code+63 (0)87
Native languagesDavawenyo
Surigaonon
Cebuano
Kalagan
Kamayo
Mandaya
Websitewww.cateel.gov.ph

Cateel ([kɐtiʔil]), officially the Municipality of Cateel (Cebuano: Lungsod sa Cateel; Tagalog: Bayan ng Cateel), is a municipality in the province of Davao Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 44,207 people.

Cateel is the home of the Aliwagwag Falls, located at barangay Aliwagwag within the Aliwagwag Protected Landscape. It is a towering stream of waterfalls considered by hydraulic engineers as the highest in the country and regarded as one of the most beautiful falls in the Philippines. It is a series of 84 falls appearing like a stairway to heaven, with various heights among the steps ranging from 2 to 33.5 metres (7 to 110 ft). The fall at one step is measured at 22 metres (72 ft) and another at 20 metres (66 ft). Overall, Aliwagwag Falls has a height of 340 metres (1,120 ft) and a width of 20 metres (66 ft). All these are set in the midst of a virgin forest. A river settles at the foot of the falls with 13 rapids to cross.