Dinagat Islands

This article is about the province. For the municipality, see Dinagat, Dinagat Islands. For its largest island, see Dinagat Island.

Dinagat Islands Mga Islang Dinagat (Filipino)
Province
Islander's Castle; Old Dinagat Provincial capitol in San Jose
Flag Seal
Nickname:  Mystical Island Province of Love
Location in the Philippines
OpenStreetMap
Coordinates: 10°06′N 125°36′E
Country	Philippines
Region	Caraga
Founded	2 December 2006
Capital	San Jose
Largest Municipality	Basilisa
Government
• Governor	Nilo Demerey Jr. (PFP)
• 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 (Mount Redondo)	939 m (3,081 ft)
Population  (2020 census)
• 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	7 Basilisa Cagdianao Dinagat Libjo Loreto San Jose Tubajon
• Barangays	100
• Districts	Legislative district of Dinagat Islands
Time zone	UTC+8 (PHT)
ZIP code	8411–8415, 8426, 8427
IDD : area code	+63 (0)86
ISO 3166 code	PH-DIN
Spoken languages	Cebuano Surigaonon Waray Tagalog English
Income classification	4th class
Website	dinagatislands.gov.ph

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), 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 while Basilisa is the most populous town in the province.

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 Visayan languages.

History

Surigao province map in 1918

Early history

The province in pre-colonial times was much influenced by the Rajahnate of Butuan which was nestled in present-day Agusan del Norte. It was also used as the entry point of the Sultanate of Ternate, present-day Moluccas of Indonesia, to attack the Rajahnate of Butuan, Rajahnate of Cebu, the indigenous settlements in the Anda Peninsula of Bohol, and the Kingdom of Dapitan (located 'between' Panglao and Bohol), which later moved into northern Zamboanga, in another settlement also named Dapitan, after the original Kingdom of Dapitan was destroyed.

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, Loreto, Cagdianao, Libjo, Basilisa, Tubajon and San Jose.

Soldiers of the 6th Ranger Battalion move through a village on Dinagat Island, 18 October 1944.

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 Battle of Surigao Strait during the Second World War. The Municipality of Loreto became the entry point of the American Liberation Forces on October 17, 1944. It was on this shore that the 6th Ranger Battalion of the 6th U.S. Army under Col. Mucci landed at Sitio Campintac of Barangay Panamaon in Loreto. It was during this landing that the first American flag flew on Philippine soil since the Japanese invasion in 1941. The Americans named the place "Black Beach No. 2."

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, Cagdianao was created into a municipality under Executive Order No. 367. Its name came from the Spanish word Cada dia linao meaning "everyday peaceful and calm". However, some scholars say that its name came from the Visayan word Taga Danaw meaning "the lake people".

Libjo was created into a municipality and named Albor on February 29, 1960, under Executive Order No. 381. It was taken from the municipalities of Dinagat and Loreto. Albor came from the surname of the mayors of Loreto and Dinagat — Alfaro and Borja. It was renamed as Libjo on June 17, 1967. The name came from the word Liboo, a kind of mussel clam.

Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association Shrine built and maintained by members of the association in memory of Ruben Edera Ecleo Sr. the founder of the PBMA, Situated at Aurelio, San Jose.

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.

Meanwhile, Basilisa became a municipality on June 17, 1967, under Republic Act No. 4986. It was then named as Rizal, after the country's national hero. The municipality was renamed as Basilisa on June 21, 1969, under Republic Act. No. 5775.

Tubajon, which was once a barangay of Loreto, became a municipality on June 21, 1969, under Republic Act No. 5643.

The newest municipality is San Jose, created on November 15, 1989, under Republic Act No. 6769. 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. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed the province's first set of officials on January 26, 2007. Provincial officials were first elected a few months later, in the May 14, 2007 elections; these elected officials took office on July 1, 2007.

On February 11, 2010, the Supreme Court of the Philippines declared the creation of the Dinagat Islands Province null and void on grounds of failure to meet land area and population requirements for the creation of local government units. The decision was not yet rendered final and executory before the May 10, 2010 elections; therefore the Commission on Elections still organized the elections for the province's separate congressional representative and provincial officials. Although the original decision was made final and executory on May 18, 2010—thereby reverting the Dinagat Islands to Surigao del Norte—the officials elected in 2010 continued to serve the province, even throughout the legal battles that followed, which eventually saw the Supreme Court reverse its position.

On April 12, 2011, the Supreme Court reversed its earlier ruling, 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.

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). 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. It takes about 75 minutes to cross from Surigao City Port to San Jose Port by pump boat.

The province consists of the eponymous Dinagat Island and surrounding islands and islets, including Cabilan Island in Dinagat, La Isla Aga and Lalaking Bukid in Basilisa, Kisses Islets in Libjo, and Hibuson, Stingray Islet, and Puyo Islet in Loreto.

Mount Redondo on Dinagat Island is the highest point of the province reaching 939 metres (3,081 ft) above sea level.

Climate change

The Dinagat Islands province is among the top 20 most vulnerable provinces to climate change in the Philippines.

Administrative divisions

Political divisions

The Dinagat Islands province comprises seven municipalities, all encompassed by a single legislative district.

	Municipality		Population			±% p.a.	Area		Density		Barangay
			(2020)		(2015)		km2	sq mi	/km2	/sq mi
	Basilisa		28.8%	36,911	36,880	+0.02%	92.68	35.78	400	1,000	27
	Cagdianao		14.3%	18,350	16,808	+1.69%	249.48	96.32	74	190	14
	Dinagat		8.3%	10,621	10,632	−0.02%	139.94	54.03	76	200	12
	Libjo		14.1%	18,051	17,760	+0.31%	180.57	69.72	100	260	16
	Loreto		7.6%	9,690	9,309	+0.77%	255.87	98.79	38	98	10
	San Jose	†	20.6%	26,375	27,487	−0.78%	27.80	10.73	950	2,500	12
	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

Population census of Dinagat Islands

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%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 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%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 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

The population of the Dinagat Islands in the 2020 census was 128,117 people, 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 Cebuano-speaking province. However, towns facing the Surigao del Norte maritime border are Surigaonon-speaking, particularly the municipalities of Dinagat and Cagdianao due to their proximity to the province of Surigao del Norte. Barangay Panamaon and the historic Hibuson Island in Loreto speak Waray-Waray. Influences of the Cebuano and Boholano languages with a Tausug accent can be traced. Most can also speak various levels of Tagalog and English.

Religion

Main article: Religion in the Philippines

Several religious conflicts 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 Catholicism at majority with 53% adherence while Iglesia Filipina Independiente or Aglipayan is the significant minority religion at 23%. Recent cultural, religious and socioeconomic changes of the province have allowed the rebound of Catholics (and Aglipayans in some degree) and their numbers have constantly increased; the province had experienced a Catholic decline in several decades (1970s-early 2000s) due to immigration of the members of Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association in the 1960s. There were some decades (1990s-2000s) where Catholics became minority with as low as 37% of the population.

Others

Other religions are the Church Body of Christ- Filipinistas (12%), United Church of Christ in the Philippines (4%), Iglesia ni Cristo (4%) and other smaller Christian groups (Dinagat Island Socio Economic Factbook, 2007).

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

Nepenthes bellii, a tropical pitcher plant endemic to the Philippine islands of Mindanao and Dinagat, where it grows at elevations of 0–800 m above sea level

Dinagat Islands is a young island-province at the northern tip of Mindanao. Many describe Dinagat Islands as a hidden gem of the Caraga Region XIII. The Islands are enriched with great bio-diversity, abundant natural wonders and rich resources. Dinagat Islands has a multitude of fascinating white sandy beaches with arrays of colossal rock formations. These sites and attractions are as diverse as the topography of the islands and islets.

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.

The provincial People's Hall building, built in 2024, was inspired by Japanese Yamato-class Battleship during Battle of Surigao Strait in World War II.

Environment and wildlife

The Dinagat Islands is one of the most environmentally significant provinces in the Philippines, where endemism of fauna is unique in its region. Animals that are endemic to the province include the critically endangered Dinagat bushy-tailed cloud rat that was rediscovered in 2012 after decades of disappearance, the endangered Dinagat hairy-tailed rat, Dinagat gymnure that has been declared by the EDGE Species Programme of the Zoological Society of London as one of the top 100 most evolutionary distinct and globally endangered species in the world, and a strange sub-species of the Philippine tarsier that is unusually larger and darker in color than the common Philippine tarsier. The province is highly forested and is considered as a Key Biodiversity Area by Haribon Foundation and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines because of its unique fauna and flora, along with its lush rainforests that are classified as primary forests, or forests that have never been fully obliterated since pre-colonial times.

UPLB MNH Professor Edwino S. Fernando and Dr. Peter Gordon Wilson of the Australian Institute of Botanical Science, discovered 'Tristaniopsis flexuosa,' a Tristaniopsis new species found only in Mount Redondo, Dinagat Island. It has similarity with Tristaniopsis elliptica.

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)