Dinagat Island
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| Dinagat island |
The Dinagat Islands (Tagalog: Kapuluang Dinagat; Cebuano: Mga Isla sa
Dinagat; Surigaonon: Mga Puyo nan Dinagat) (PSGC: 168500000; ISO: PH-DIN) are a
group of islands constituting a province in the Caraga region in the
Philippines, located on the south side of Leyte Gulf. The island of Leyte is to
its west, across Surigao Strait, and Mindanao is to its south. Its main island,
Dinagat, is about 60 kilometres (37 mi) from north to south.
History
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.
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. The so-called
mystical province played an important role in the country's history,
particularly during World War II. Adding to the historical significance of the
province is the foundation of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries
Association by Ruben Ecleo, Sr.
The municipality of Dinagat is the oldest community in the province.
In the early days, a story was told that a stranger reached the place in search
of greener pastures. He approached a native and asked what the inhabitants do
for a living. The natives said that they farm and fish to live. The stranger's
interest in fishing prompted him to inquire where they fish, and the native
replied and pointed to a place saying 'dinhi niini na dagat' (here from this
bountiful waters). Since then, the place was called Dinagat.
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.
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" because of 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.
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 Campinta of Barangay Panamaon, 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.
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" which is 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 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 in 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 in
June 21, 1969 under Republic Act No. 5643. According to local folklore, during
the Spanish regime, a banca boarded with Guardia Civils landed in the shores of
Tubajon in search of a criminal. One of them came across a river and saw a man
pounding leaves. Curious, he asked the man, "What will you do with
it?" The man answered "Akong Tubajon ang suba aron sayon dakpon ang
mga isda" (I will poison the river with Tuba leaves so that the fishes could
be easily caught). When the man returned to the group, he narrated everything
he saw and heard from the native to his companions. From then on, the place was
called Tubajon.
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 the late mayor of the municipality of Dinagat, Ruben
Edera Ecleo Sr. The town is the seat of the PBMA.
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 Cong. Glenda B. Ecleo), the
Charter of the Province of the Dinagat Islands, in a plebiscite.
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 Dinagat Islands then reverted to Surigao del Norte
Province. On October 24, 2012, however, the Supreme Court reversed its ruling
from the previous year, and upheld the constitutionality of RA 9355 and the
creation of the Dinagat Islands as a province.
