Dinagat Islands
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
2000 census—106,951 ()
Density—133.3 per km² ()
Highly urbanized cities—0
Component cities—0
Municipalities—7
Barangays—100
Congressional districts—
Dinagat Islands is an island group comprising a province in the Philippines, located on the south side of Leyte Gulf in the province of Surigao del Norte. Leyte is to the west, across Surigao Strait, and Mindanao is to the south. Dinagat is about 60 km from north to south.
Best known for its great rock climbing sites and white sand beaches, it is the country's 81st and newest province and the fifth in the Caraga Region.
The province, situated almost entirely on Dinagat Island, is a Shangri-La of adventurers. Its caves, rock formations and mountain lakes provide a perfect ambience for the thrill seeker and highly-strung individuals. It is also the seat of the greatest and historic Battle of Surigao Strait during the World War II and the entry point of the American Liberation forces before the momentous return of Gen. Douglas MacArthur in Leyte.
San Jose, Dinagat is the capital of this province, and is where the Headquarters of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, Inc., founded by Ruben Ecleo (who is now deceased) is at.
The province is known as one of the archipelago's holiest sites in the Pre-Christian native religion. It is here where the god of hurricanes was persuaded to relent his attacks on the islands by Da, the god of peace.
With a margin of only 6,914 votes coming from five towns in Dinagat Island bailiwick of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA), the "Yes" vote for Dinagat Island prevailed over a poorly promoted "No" vote in the December 2 referendum.
The "Yes" vote officially garnered a total of 70,058 votes while "No" got only 63,144, Comelec said.
But only 44.7 percent of the total 297,959 registered voters in the entire Surigao del Norte including its component city of Surigao cast their votes in the December 2 plebiscite that will decide the fate of making Dinagat Island as the fifth province of Caraga Region.
The turnout of voters is considered to be the lowest so far in the history of political exercise in the province, which has a total of 27 towns and one component city, Comelec Provincial Election officer Joy Jonathan Senaca said.
"This is also our first time to hold a plebiscite like this. Generally it is the most peaceful and orderly so far," Senaca said.
Earlier, proponents of "No" vote to Dinagat Provincehood complained of alleged vote buying in the amount of P20 each, voters' disenfranchisement, alleged report of flying voters and alleged coercion to some voters to vote for a "Yes."
However, the "No" proponents have not officially filed their protests or complaints before the poll body.
Of the seven towns in Dinagat Island, five overwhelmingly voted for "Yes." These are the towns of San Jose, the home of the PBMA, which has the highest turn of voters of about 91.9 percent of the total registered voters.
Other Dinagat Island towns, which has the most numbers of voters who get out from their homes and voted; are municipalities of Basilisa, 82 percent, Dinagat, 79.2 percent, Cagdianao, 65.6 percent, Libjo, 55 percent, Loreto, 57.3 percent, and Tubajon 59.2 percent.
It was in Loreto and Tubajon in Dinagat Island where "No" votes won but in a slight margin.
Dinagat Island's seven towns have a total registered voters of 62,298.
Another island where "No" votes won was in Siargao, but has the lowest number of voters with only 38 percent of the total registered voters of about 63,633.
Here in Surigao City, which has a total registered voters of 69,075, only 44 percent cast their votes. "No" to Dinagat Province votes prevailed over "Yes" in the city.
At the Surigao del Norte's mainland towns, which composed of 11 municipalities namely, Sison, Tubod, San Francisco, Mainit, Placer, Alegria, Bacuag, Gigaquit, Claver, Malimono and Tagana-an, the "No" votes prevailed but only few out of the total 102,957 registered voters with only 31,956 cast their vote.
Earlier, both the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) and the Roman Catholic Churches have denounced the creation of the Dinagat Island into province saying only politicians are benefited in Republic Act 9355 or the law creating Dinagat Province.
The "No" proponents admitted it has no funds and volunteers to actively campaign for a "No" votes -- the reason why it failed to elicit public support against the well oiled machinery for "yes."
[edit] External Links
- Additional Info concerning the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association
- Info & fotos about the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA)
[edit] Political divisions
Dinagat Islands is divided into 7 municipalities.
| City/Municipality | No. of Barangays |
Area (km²) |
Population (2000) |
Pop. density (per km²) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Basilisa (Rizal) |
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| Cagdianao |
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| Dinagat |
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Libjo (Albor) |
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Loreto |
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| San Jose |
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| Tubajon |
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[edit] References
- Dinagat Isles land provincehood status
- Charter of the Province of Dinagat Islands (Republic Act No. 9355)
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