Dinagat, Dinagat Islands

Jacel de Jesus in The Philippines - Our Home

May 24, 2024 • 5 min Read

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Municipality of Dinagat – The Mother Town of Dinagat Islands

What is it like to live in a Municipality considered the first in a province? Well, it’s always a privilege and surely a gift.

The Municipality of Dinagat is the mother town of the Province of Dinagat Islands. Its existence started during the Spanish time when pueblo was given names like Kankayanit and Nantias, which means – here lived the Kankayanit and Tias.

A story was shared that a stranger arrived in the area looking for greener pastures. He asked a local what is the area’s sources of living, and the local answered that they farm and fish to live. The stranger got interested and asked the local where to fish, and the local pointed to a place, saying “dinhi niini na dagat,” which means, here, from this bountiful seawater. The stranger since then called the place, Dinagat.

History says that the first settlers of Dinagat were people from Bohol and Leyte.

In the early 1830s, Dinagat was established as part of the Spanish Pueblo of Surigao. The town’s economy was then growing and so with the population. These developments prompted the Spanish priest to recommend the conversion of Dinagat into a separate pueblo. Thus, on January 23, 1855, Bishop Romualdo de Caraga endorsed the said request to Governor General Crespo who in turn created Dinagat as pueblo through General No. 5505 Leg 103 dated April 25, 1855.

Dinagat is known to be rich in natural resources. It has clear, blue waters and rich marine life. It also has a lush green forest and beautiful hills and mountains.

Here is Dinagat at a glance:

Economy:

Dinagat is a Fifth-Class Municipality under the Department of Trade and Industry Philippines’ LGU Profile.  It ranks 206^th in terms of Economic Dynamism and 41^st in Government Efficiency.

The sources of livelihood in this town vary.  Residents in Barangay Magsaysay are into Bangus Polyculture in floating cages while others are into mushroom processing and organic vegetable production. The Bangus Polyculture is a business expansion focus by the community.

Dinagat is also a proud producer of seaweeds (guso) products. The New Mabuhay Farmer Seaweeds Association at Barangay New Mabuhay has currently the following four types of Seaweed products:

1. Seaweed Crackers

2. Seaweed Pastillas

3. Seaweed Noodles

4. Seaweed Pickle

Tourism:

Dinagatnons are known to be truly hospitable people. Tourists feel the warmth of this place.

Every year, the Dinagatnons have two important celebrations. December 8 is the day that the Municipality of Dinagat celebrates its fiesta, known locally as the “Kiay-kiay Festival.” On January 1st, the locals gather and celebrate the “Pahugjaw sa bag-ong tuig,” an annual tradition that brings together men in three barangays, namely, Escolta, Mauswagon, and White Beach. These men would wear funny female attires and join the parade.

People from other provinces visit Dinagat to experience the warm smile and hospitality of the Dinagatnons. The locals are proud of the attractions in their area.

1. Campana Beach – Barangay Cab-ilan, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands

2. Bijasong Beach – Barangay White Beach, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands

3. Divine Master Monument – Barangay Cab-ilan, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands

4. Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church – Barangay White Beach, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands

While in Dinagat, tourists may try the cafes and restaurants in the area.

1. Sky Lounge Restaurant – Barangay New Mabuhay, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands

2. Pantaw Moo Grills and Resto Bar – Barangay Mauswagon, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands

3. D’Rooftop View Resto – Barangay New Mabuhay, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands

4. Biggest Jiga Resto Grille – Barangay Cayetano, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands

Dinagat has accommodations for tourists. Barangay White Beach has the following:

1. Sand Dollar, Bed and Breakfast

2. Oceanfront View

What’s good about this place is that there are available money changers if in case there is a need to have local currency.

1. Palawan Express

2. MLhuiller

Before leaving the town, make sure to drop by Dinagat’s One Town One Product (OTOP) Center for pasalubong. They sell native products like baskets, bayong, hats, t-shirts, and many more.

Places of Worship:

In every area that we go to, we find comfort if there is a worship place that we can visit. Catholics may attend mass at the Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church in Barangay White Beach, and there is also an Iglesia Independiente Church in the same barangay. Another place of worship in Dinagat is the Iglesia ni Cristo Church in Barangay Escolta.

Transportation:

Dinagat has its transportation called “Bao-bao” known in the Philippines as a tricycle. They also have a motorcycle, which they call “Habal-habal.”

How to travel from the nearest airport and seaport to the Municipality of Dinagat, Dinagat Islands:

I. From Surigao City Airport

1. From Surigao Airport, take a taxi going to the Surigao Port. Travel time is around 12 minutes.

2. From Surigao Port to the Municipality of Dinagat, take the motorboat, Romans Road. Arrival at the Dinagat Port will be after an hour.

3. Total travel time is 1 hour and 12 minutes.

II. Surigao Port

1. From Surigao City, take a jeep or tricycle going to the port. Travel time is around 10 minutes.

2. From Surigao Port to the Municipality of Dinagat, take the motorboat, Romans Road. Arrival at the Dinagat Port will be after an hour.

3. Total travel time is 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Explore, Experience, and Enjoy the Philippines, our Home. *Special thanks to the Tourism Department of the Municipality of Dinagat for sharing the details and images. Mabuhay kayo!