Dinagat Islands
Dinagat Islands
Mga Islang Dinagat (Filipino) | ||
---|---|---|
Province of Dinagat Islands[1] | ||
Dinagat Provincial capitol in San Jose, and PBMA founder's Shrine. | ||
Vice Governor Benglen Ecleo (PFP) | | |
• Legislature | Dinagat Islands Provincial Board | |
Area | ||
• Total | 1,036.34 km2 (400.13 sq mi) | |
• Rank | 75th out of 81 | |
Highest elevation | 939 m (3,081 ft) | |
Population (2020 census)[3] | ||
• Total | 128,117 | |
• Rank | 77th out of 81 | |
• Density | 120/km2 (320/sq mi) | |
• Rank | 65th out of 81 | |
Divisions | ||
• Independent cities | 0 | |
• Component cities | 0 | |
• Municipalities | ||
• ZIP code | 8411–8415, 8426, 8427 | |
IDD : area code | +63 (0)86 | |
ISO 3166 code | PH-DIN | |
Spoken languages | ||
Income classification | 4th class | |
Website | dinagatislands |
Dinagat Islands (Cebuano: Mga Pulo sa Dinagat; Surigaonon: Mga Puyo nan Dinagat; Kabalian: Mga Puyo san Dinagat; Waray: Mga Purô han Dinagat; Filipino: Mga Islang Dinagat[4]), officially the Province of Dinagat Islands, is an island province in the Caraga region of the Philippines, located on the south side of Leyte Gulf. The island of Leyte is to its west, across Surigao Strait, and mainland Mindanao is to its south. Its main island, Dinagat, is about 60 kilometres (37 mi) from north to south. San Jose serves as its provincial capital.
Etymology
The name of the island means "of the sea" or "like the sea", an affixed from of the root word dagat ("sea") in the
History
Early history
The province in pre-colonial times was much influenced by the
Spanish colonial era
Although one of the newest provinces of the country, settlements in the Dinagat Islands were already present during the Spanish regime as a result of migration of people from nearby provinces of Bohol and Leyte. In particular during World War II, the allegedly magical province had a significant impact on the history of the nation.
The municipality was formally established in 1855. It occupies the territorial boundaries of the whole island. From 1890 to 1990 its boundaries were gradually reduced giving rise to six municipalities,
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/6th_Ranger_Battalion%2C_1944.jpg/220px-6th_Ranger_Battalion%2C_1944.jpg)
Loreto became a Spanish pueblo on September 4, 1890, under the supervision of Governor General Manuel Sanchez by the virtue of Direccion General No. 30. It was originally called Mabua due to the ever-foaming river that runs right into the center of the community. It was named Loreto in 1881 by the Spanish priest who frequents the town, in honor of the wife of the Alcalde Mayor of the Province of Surigao.
Japanese occupation era
The province was the site of the historic
The northern part of the island served as a refuge for the American soldiers, while the western border was held by Japanese forces. Capsized vessel structures are still found today in the waters of Basilisa.
Philippine independence
On December 23, 1959,
In 1965, Ruben Edera Ecleo Sr. founded the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA) at Sitio Puyange, now Poblacion in San Jose. PBMA is a non-sectarian organization bounded by a strong spirit of brotherhood. Not long after that, members from all over the Philippines migrated to the island to be in constant association with their founder.[citation needed]
Meanwhile,
The newest municipality is San Jose, created on November 15, 1989, under Republic Act No. 6769.[10] The town was named in honor of Jose Ecleo who was its pioneer and father of then mayor of the municipality of Dinagat, Ruben Edera Ecleo Sr. The town is the seat of the PBMA.
Contemporary
The Dinagat Islands was part of the First District of Surigao del Norte Province until it became a province on December 2, 2006, with the approval of Republic Act No. 9355 (authored by Rep. Glenda B. Ecleo), the Charter of the Province of the Dinagat Islands, in a plebiscite.[1] President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed the province's first set of officials on January 26, 2007.[11] Provincial officials were first elected a few months later, in the May 14, 2007 elections; these elected officials took office on July 1, 2007.[11]
On February 11, 2010, the
On April 12, 2011, the Supreme Court reversed its earlier ruling,[16] upholding the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 9355 and validating the creation of Dinagat Islands as a province. An Entry of Judgment on October 24, 2012, ended the legal battles surrounding the status of the province, and finalized the separation of Dinagat Islands from Surigao del Norte.[17]
Geography
The province is one of the smallest island provinces in the country with a total land area of 1,036.34 square kilometres (400.13 sq mi).[18] Located to the northeast of Surigao del Norte, in mainland Mindanao, the Dinagat Islands are separated physically from Awasan and Nonoc Islands of Surigao del Norte by the narrow, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) long, Gaboc Channel.[19] It takes about 75 minutes to cross from Surigao City Port to San Jose Port by pump boat.
The province consists of the eponymous
Climate change
The Dinagat Islands province is among the top 20 most vulnerable provinces to climate change in the Philippines.[20]
Administrative divisions
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Ph_fil_dinagat_islands.png/220px-Ph_fil_dinagat_islands.png)
The Dinagat Islands province comprises seven
Municipality [i] | Population | ±% p.a. | Area[18] | Density | Barangay | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(2020)[3] | (2015)[21] | km2 | sq mi | /km2 | /sq mi | |||||||
9°59′55″N 125°30′37″E / 9.9985°N 125.5104°E | Basilisa
|
28.8% | 36,911 | 36,880 | +0.02% | 92.68 | 35.78 | 400 | 1,000 | 27 | ||
9°55′22″N 125°40′19″E / 9.9229°N 125.6719°E | Cagdianao
|
14.3% | 18,350 | 16,808 | +1.69% | 249.48 | 96.32 | 74 | 190 | 14 | ||
9°57′39″N 125°35′28″E / 9.9609°N 125.5911°E | Dinagat | 8.3% | 10,621 | 10,632 | −0.02% | 139.94 | 54.03 | 76 | 200 | 12 | ||
10°11′43″N 125°31′57″E / 10.1953°N 125.5325°E | Libjo
|
14.1% | 18,051 | 17,760 | +0.31% | 180.57 | 69.72 | 100 | 260 | 16 | ||
10°21′33″N 125°34′45″E / 10.3592°N 125.5793°E | Loreto | 7.6% | 9,690 | 9,309 | +0.77% | 255.87 | 98.79 | 38 | 98 | 10 | ||
10°00′34″N 125°34′15″E / 10.0095°N 125.5708°E | San Jose | † | 20.6% | 26,375 | 27,487 | −0.78% | 27.80 | 10.73 | 950 | 2,500 | 12 | |
10°19′38″N 125°33′22″E / 10.3272°N 125.5562°E | Tubajon
|
6.3% | 8,119 | 8,276 | −0.36% | 90.00 | 34.75 | 90 | 230 | 9 | ||
Total | 128,117 | 127,152 | +0.14% | 1,036.34 | 400.13 | 120 | 310 | 100 | ||||
† Provincial capital | Municipality | |||||||||||
|
Demographics
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
1903 | 5,243 | — |
1918 | 8,382 | +3.18% |
1939 | 16,156 | +3.17% |
1948 | 17,317 | +0.77% |
1960 | 22,761 | +2.30% |
1970 | 32,227 | +3.53% |
1975 | 53,443 | +10.68% |
1980 | 79,342 | +8.22% |
1990 | 98,865 | +2.22% |
1995 | 100,537 | +0.31% |
2000 | 106,951 | +1.33% |
2007 | 120,813 | +1.70% |
2010 | 126,803 | +1.78% |
2015 | 127,152 | +0.05% |
2020 | 128,117 | +0.15% |
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[21][22][23] |
The population of the Dinagat Islands in the 2020 census was 128,117 people,[3] with a density of 120 inhabitants per square kilometre or 310 inhabitants per square mile.
The original inhabitants of the province are called "Lumad", while residents of the Dinagat Islands are called "Dinagatnon". The Dinagat Islands is predominantly a
Religion
Several religious conflicts[further explanation needed] were recorded in the province. But at present, religious harmony is relatively observed in most parts of Dinagat Island.
Catholicism
Religious breakdown in the province shows
Others
Other religions are the
Government
The Governor of the Dinagat Islands is the local chief executive of the province of the Dinagat Islands.
No. | Name | Took office | Left office | Party | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Geraldine B. Ecleo-Villaroman
|
June 30, 2007 | June 30, 2010 | Lakas | |
2 | Glenda B. Ecleo | June 30, 2010 | June 30, 2019 | Lakas–Kampi
| |
Nacionalista | |||||
UNA | |||||
3 | Arlene J. Bag-ao | June 30, 2019 | June 30, 2022 | Liberal | |
4 | Nilo P. Demerey Jr. | June 30, 2022 | Lakas |
The Representative of the Dinagat Islands is the congressperson of the province of the Dinagat Islands in the House of Representatives.
No. | Name | Took office | Left office | Party | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Glenda B. Ecleo | June 30, 2007 | June 30, 2010 | Lakas | |
2 | Ruben B. Ecleo, Jr. | June 30, 2010 | May 31, 2012 | Lakas–Kampi
| |
3 | Arlene "Kaka" J. Bag-ao | June 30, 2013 | June 30, 2019 | Liberal | |
4 | Allan I B. Ecleo | June 30, 2019 | PDP–Laban
| ||
Lakas |
Tourism
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Nepenthes_bellii_upper_pitcher.jpg/180px-Nepenthes_bellii_upper_pitcher.jpg)
Dinagat Islands is a young island-province at the northern tip of
The province is known for its caves, resorts, and beaches. These include Bitaug Beach, Campintac Black Beach No. 2, Linao Spring Resort, and San Juan Cave (all in Loreto), Lake Bababu, Puerto Prinsesa Beach & Hagakhak Cave in Basilisa, Tagberayan Beach, Sayaw Beach, Legaspi Water Falls, Hinabyan and Leandro's Beach Resort in Cagdianao, Talisay Beach in Tubajon, Quano Blue Lagoon and Quano Cave, Ben Paz Mountain Resort and Oasis Islet Resort in Libjo, and the Cab-ilan Beach & Cab-ilan Gamay Beach in Dinagat.
Environment and wildlife
The Dinagat Islands is one of the most environmentally significant provinces in the Philippines, where
References
- ^ a b "Republic Act No. 9355. An Act Creating the Province of Dinagat Islands" (PDF). Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "List of Provinces". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ a b c Census of Population (2020). Table B - Population and Annual Growth Rates by Province, City, and Municipality - By Region. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ "Mapa ng mga Wika (Rehiyon) - CARAGA" (in Filipino). Commission on the Filipino Language. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ Chamberlain, Alexander F. (January–November 1900). "Philippine Studies. 1. Place-Names". The American Antiquarian and Oriental Journal. 22: 394–399.
- ^ "Executive Order No. 367; Creating the Municipality of Cagdianao in the Province of Surigao". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the original on 4 January 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "Executive Order No. 381; Creating the Municipality of Albor in the Province of Surigao". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "Republic Act No. 4986 - An Act Creating the Municipality of Rizal in the Province of Surigao del Norte". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "Republic Act No. 5775 - An Act Creating the Municipality of Basilisa in the Province of Surigao del Norte". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "Republic Act No. 6769; An Act Creating the Municipality of San Jose in the Province of Surigao del Norte". The LawPhil Project. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ a b c Famacion, Lilibeth A. (March 5, 2014). "DILG-13 Opinion No. 003-2014" (PDF). Department of the Interior and Local Government - Region XIII. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
- ^ Rempillo, Jay B. (11 February 2010). "SC Voids Creation of the Province of Dinagat Islands". Supreme Court of the Philippines. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "SC says Dinagat Islands no longer a province". ABS-CBN Corporation News. 11 February 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "G.R. No. 180050, Promulgated: February 11, 2010". Philippine Government Supreme Court Judiciary. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
- ^ Commission on Elections (March 9, 2010). "COMELEC Resolution No. 8790" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 26, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
- ^ Nachura, Antonio Eduardo B. (April 12, 2011). "G.R. No. 180050, Promulgated: April 12, 2011". Supreme Court of the Philippines. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
- ^ Department of Budget and Management (January 9, 2013). "IRA Shares for LGUs Jump by 37.5% in 2013". Government of the Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the original on March 20, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
- ^ a b "Province: Dinagat Islands". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
- ^ U.S. Army Map Service (1954–1955). "Surigao (topographic map)". University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ "About Caraga". National Economic and Development Authority Caraga. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
- ^ a b Census of Population (2015). Highlights of the Philippine Population 2015 Census of Population. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). Population and Annual Growth Rates for The Philippines and Its Regions, Provinces, and Highly Urbanized Cities (PDF). National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Caraga" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Hance, Jeremy (2012-04-17). "Two-foot-long cloud rat rediscovered after missing for forty years in the Philippines". Mongabay Environmental News. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
External links
Media related to Dinagat Islands at Wikimedia Commons
Geographic data related to Dinagat Islands at OpenStreetMap
- Charter of the Province of Dinagat Islands (Republic Act No. 9355)