the province was formed with 13 municipalities. six more were added, raising the number to 19 with tandag as the capital. two of its municipalities have been elevated to cities; the first was bislig city. in 2007, tandag was granted cityhood but it was nullified via a controversial decision by the supreme court a year later. in 2009, tandag got back its city status after the court reversed its own ruling on december 22, 2009.