CONTACTS

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE

Bahay Turista, San Juan, San Jose, Dinagat Islands
Phone No. 09065013163

PROVINCIAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

San Jose, Dinagat Islands
Phone No. 09067884680
DINAGAT ISLANDS MAP

Republic of the Philippines

PROVINCE OF DINAGAT ISLANDS
San Jose

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

M E S S A G E

Though we are an infant province, with almost nine (9)

months of existence since chartering last October 2, 2006
through R.A. 9355, I am pleased to present this Socio –
Economic Fact Book of the Province of Dinagat Islands. This
fact book is very useful for prospective researchers and
investors who want to know about our province.

This will provide basic information that maybe required in the

formulation of plans, implementation of programs and in
general, guide our development partners in making decisions
on their investments.

We are very grateful for the help extended to us by our

mother province, the Province of Surigao del Norte for sharing
with us data and information and the national line agencies
and the private sector for the assistance provided during
preparation of this document.

Mabuhay kitang mga Dinagatnons!

GERALDINE “JADE” ECLEO VILLAROMAN

Provincial Governor

40 1
 DIRECTORY OF PROVINCIAL OFFICES

CONTENTS
Provincial Elective Officials 3
Municipal Mayors 4
Date and Legal Basis on the Creation of Municipalities 4
History 4
Geography 5
Demographics 7
Religious Affiliations 10
Housing and Settlement 11
Income, Expenditures and Poverty Incidence 12
Education 13
Health and Nutrition 16
Safe Water Access and Sanitation 20
Protective Services 21
Fire Prevention 21
Sports and Recreation Facilities 21
Economic Profile 22
Mining and Quarrying 28
Industry 28
Commerce and Trade 29
Tourist Attractions 30
Services (Water and Land Transportation) 35
Communication Facilities 36
Mailing and Courier Services 37
Financial Institutions 38
Directory of Municipal LGUs 38
Directory of Provincial Offices 39
Dinagat Islands Map 40

2 39
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PROVINCIAL ELECTIVE OFFICIALS
• Rural Bank of Loreto (SRBC)
• Green Bank of Caraga
Governor : Geraldine “JADE” Ecleo – Villaroman
• Starjed

Vice Governor : Elvis A. Dela Merced

DIRECTORY OF MUNICIPAL LGUS

SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN
MUNICIPALITY TELEPHONE NUMBER DISTRICT I : Hon. Gracelyn B. Ecleo
BASILISA 826-1603 : Hon. Domingo L. Torotoro
: Hon. Merlinda D. Lagroma
CAGDIANAO 356-1607
: Hon. Rolizareth T. Ladaga
DINAGAT 365-1657 : Hon. Romeo S. Ecleo
LIBJO 365-1701/365-1709
LORETO 365-1717/365-1725
SAN JOSE 365-1837 DISTRICT II : Hon. Mario P. Menil
TUBAJON 365-1965 : Hon. Bernardino F. Alcaria
: Hon. Nilo P. Gulfo
: Hon. Norberto A. Sarita, Sr.
: Hon. Zacarias N. Vales

EX - OFFICIO

: Hon. Cristino V. Medallo, Sr.

Provincial Federated ABC President

: Hon. Allan II B. Ecleo

Provincial Councilor’s League President

: Hon. Sean V. Eludo

Provincial SK Federated President

38 3
 MUNICIPAL MAYORS MAILING / COURIER SERVICES

NAME MUNICIPALITY
Hon. Floro F. Baltar Jr. Basilisa Contact Number
Hon. Marc Adelson D. Longos Cagdianao Philippine Postal Corporation - 0910-4923836
Hon. Gwendolyn B. Ecleo Dinagat LBC Express - 0920-2532026
Hon. Lamberto T. Llamera, Jr. Libjo Western Union - 0919-3624668
Hon. Doandre Bill A. Ladaga Loreto
Hon. Benglen B. Ecleo San Jose
Hon. Ronald O. Luib, Sr. Tubajon
ACCOMODATIONS

DATE AND LEGAL BASIS ON THE Name of # of Room Rates

Description
CREATION OF MUNICIPALITIES Establishment Rooms Family Double
2 beds family
DATE OF size
MUNICIPALITY LEGAL BASIS
CREATION Puyangi Air conditioned
4 P 1,500.00 P 750.00
Basilisa June 17, 1967 R.A. 4986 Beach Resort Private T & B
Cagdianao December 23, 1959 E.O. 367 Additional
Direccion Gen. No. 5505 100.00/head
Dinagat 1830 Air conditioned
Leg. 103 P 500.00
Libjo February 29,1960 E.O. 381 Additional per
P 100.00
Loreto January 1,1919 Unnumbered E.O. P 250.00 head
San Jose November 15,1989 R.A. 6769 Short time
Pink House 7
Tubajon June 21, 1969 R.A. 5643 Ceiling fan with
P 250.00
comfort room
P 50.00 Additional/head
HISTORY Air conditioned
room
Settlements within Dinagat Islands were already present during the P 500.00
Good for 2
Spanish regime. Most of the residents emigrated from nearby provinces P 100.00
persons
of Bohol and Leyte. Yalkot Lodge
5 Additional/head
Ceiling fan with
The municipality of Dinagat is the oldest community in the province. In P 250.00
comfort room
the early days, a story was told that a stranger reached the place in
P 50.00 Additional per
search of greener pasture. He approached a native and asked what the
head
inhabitants do for a living. The native 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 in this bountiful waters). Since then, the place was called
Dinagat.

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 Batallion of the 6th U.S. Army under Col.
Mucci landed at Sitio Campintac of Barangay Panamaon, Loreto. It was

4 37
 LAND TRANSPORTATION on this shore that the 6th Ranger Battalion of the 6th U.S. Army under
Co. Mucci landed at Sitio Campintac of Barangay Panamaon. It was
Type of during this landing that the first American flag flew on the Philippine
Route Fare Frequency soil. They named the place “Black Beach No. 2”.
Vessel
San Jose – Basilisa 120.00/trip Motor hire
The northern part of the island served as refuge for the American
San Jose – Libjo 350.00/trip Motor hire
soldiers, while the western border was the camp site of the Japanese
San Jose – Tubajon 600.00/trip Motor hire
Forces. Capsized vessel structures are still found today in the waters
Motorcycle San Jose – Loreto 700-800/trip Motor hire
of Basilisa.
San Jose – Dinagat 120.00/trip Motor hire
San Jose –
150.00/trip Motor hire Dinagat Islands was part of the First District of the Province of
Cagdianao
Surigao del Norte until it became a separate province on December
San Jose – Basilisa 25.00/person Daily
2, 2006 through Republic Act No. 9355 of the Charter of the Province
San Jose – Libjo 90.00/person Daily
of Dinagat Islands.
San Jose – Tubajon No trip Special trip
Jeepney San Jose – Loreto No trip Special trip Last January 2007, Surigao del Norte Governor Robert S. Lyndon
San Jose – Dinagat 25.00/person Daily Barbers inducted the interim officials into office. The interim officials
San Jose – were Geraldine “JADE” Ecleo Villaroman, Provincial Governor; Elvis A.
35.00/person Daily
Cagdianao dela Merced, Provincial Vice Governor; Provincial Board Members:
Merlinda D. Lagroma, Norberto A. Sarita Sr., Mario P. Menil, Zacarias
N. Vales, Gracelyn B. Ecleo, Nilo P. Gulfo, and Rolizareth T. Ladaga.
They took oath at the Municipal Cultural Center of San Jose.
COMMUNICATION FACILITIES

GEOGRAPHY
PHILCOM Corporation
Tel No. (086) 826-5331
Services Offered: LOCATION

Fax Services

Domestic & International Calls Dinagat Islands is located in the northern part of Surigao del Norte.
Politically bounded on the North, starting from the Desolation Point,
NEWS MPC by Surigao Strait; on the East by Philippine Sea; on the South-East
Services Offered: by Dinagat Sound; on the South by Gaboc Channel and Nonoc

Internet Cafe’ Island; on the South-West by Awasan Bay, Hanigad Island and

Smart Wireless Communication Satellite Hikdop Island; and on the West by Surigao Strait.

Cable Services

LAND AREA
GLOBE TELECOMS
The Province of Dinagat Islands has a total land area of 96,745.85

Mobile Phone Services hectares and is composed of seven municipalities. The largest
municipality in terms of land area is Loreto with a total land area of
25,587 hectares (26%) and the smallest municipality is Dinagat with
SMART COMMUNICATION a total land area of 3,287 hectares (3%).

Mobile Phone Services

Smart Broadband Internet Connection

36 5
 LAND AREA PER MUNICIPALITY ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES

Municipality Land Area (Has.) % to Total

MAN-MADE ATTRACTIONS
Loreto 25,587.00 26%
Cagdianao 22,704.53 23% PBMA Shrine (San Jose) - A holy place for all Philippine Benevolent
Libjo 20,748.96 21% Missionaries Association (PBMA) members. This is where the body of
Tubajon 11,301.00 12% the founder, Ruben E. Ecleo, Sr. was laid to rest. The shrine serves
Basilisa 9,268.36 10% as the main destination of local and foreign tourists of the
San Jose 3,849.00 4% municipality. Established in 1987, this unique and historical landmark
Dinagat 3,287.00 3% boasts of 7 man-made drinking dams formed into different shapes
such as e.g. Guitar Stage, Sala, and Garage. In the vicinity we can
TOTAL 96,745.85 100%
marvel at the Guitar Healing Pool, Garden Stairs, a Comet House and
a Mini Forest that maintains the coolness of the surrounding view of
the mountains and islands.
NUMBER OF BARANGAYS PER MUNICIPALITY

MUNICIPALITY No. of Barangays Year Updated SERVICES

Basilisa 27 2006
Libjo 16 2000 WATER TRANSPORTATION
Cagdianao 14 1998
Dinagat 12 1998 Type of
Route Fare Frequency
San Jose 12 2000 Vessel
Loreto 10 1998 San Jose – Surigao 75.00/ person Daily
Tubajon 9 1998 Basilisa – Surigao 90.00/ person Daily
TOTAL 100 100.00/
Libjo to Surigao Daily
person
130.00/
Tubajon to Basilisa Daily
TOPOGRAPHY Pump boat person
160.00/
Loreto to Surigao Daily
The province has a varied terrain ranging from flat, to rugged, t o person
mountainous. The elevation of the eastern part of the province reaches Dinagat to Surigao 70.00/ person Daily
over 900 meters from sea level. The rest of the island is characterized by Cagdianao to
80.00/ person Daily
broken relief or relatively low elevation especially land areas adjacent to Surigao
the ocean. San Jose – Basilisa 1,000.00/trip Special trip
San Jose –
3,500.00/trip Special trip
The highest points of the province are Mt. Kambinliw and Mt. Redondo. Cagdianao
They are both found in the northern and southern part of the San Jose – Dinagat 1,200.00/trip Special trip
municipality of Loreto. San Jose – Libjo 3,000.00/trip Special trip
San Jose – Loreto 3,500.00/trip Special trip
San Jose – Tubajon 2,000.00/trip Special trip
SOIL TYPES Source: PPA and Private Pump boat Owners

The Dinagat Islands soil is primarily Dinagat Clay Loam which is

comprised of 70% Kabatohan, loam 20% and 10% of Bolinao clay steep
phase. It is characterized as friable and slightly granular in nature.

35
6
HISTORICAL AND RELIGIOUS SITES AND METEOROLOGY AND CLIMATE
LANDMARKS
The province falls under climate type II characterized by no
pronounced dry season but with a very pronounced maximum rainfall
period from November to January. It has a total annual rainfall of
Campintac Black Beach (Loreto) – A
2,830.60 meters from the 204 rainy days. Temperature ranges from
strategic area where U.S. Liberators landed
a low of 23.9 degrees Celsius in January to a high of 33.06 degree
and fought against the Japanese Imperial
Celsius in September. The average annual minimum and maximum
Army. A few miles from the island is Surigao
temperature in 2004 measures to 253 degrees Celsius and 31.06
Strait - the historical landmark where
degrees Celsius respectively. The average annual humidity is 81%
hundreds of Japanese Naval Ships sank due
and the average velocity is one (1) meter per second.
to massive bombardments by the U.S. Air
Force during World War II.
MINERAL DEPOSITS

The province is rich with metallic and non-metallic mineral resource.

World War II Artifacts – are remains of the US and Filipino soldiers’ These include large tonnage of chromite, aluminous laterite ore and
gears left during their heroic fight aimed to free Filipinos from Japanese nickeliferous laterite. Small amount of rock phosphate, limestone,
domination. siliceous and gold deposits are scattered across the island as well.

Chromite is most abundant in the municipality of Loreto and can also

be found in the municipality of Basilisa, Cagdianao and Libjo. Nickel,
on the other hand, is abundant in the Eastern part of the island in
the municipalities of Tubajon, Libjo and Cagdianao. Of all the
municipalities, Cagdianao has the most abundant mineral reserves in
the island.

LAND CLASSIFICATION

Dinagat Islands Province has a total land area of 96,745.85 hectares.

Its alienable and disposable (A & D) land is 15,836 hectares whereas
Sinaongag Landmark (Tubajon) – is the point where the last stand of its timberland has a total of 62,660.36 hectares. The bigger
the Japanese Imperial Army against Filipino Local Guerillas was made. percentage of timberland can be ascribed to the slope of the
province. Alienable and disposable lands are found in the flat lands or
areas with 0% - 3% slopes in the western part of the province.

DEMOGRAPHICS

POPULATION DISTRIBUTION/TREND

Per NSO 2000 survey, the province total population is 106,951 or an

increase of 6% from the last survey of 100,537 (1995) with an
annual growth rate of 1.24%. Population density has also increased
from 120 persons per square kilometer in 1995 to 131 in 2000. San
Jose is a densely populated municipality (666 persons per square
kilometer) while Loreto, the most thinly populated municipality has
only 38 persons per square kilometer. Household population
correspondingly increased

34 7
by 6% from 100,472 in 1995 to 106,897 in 2000. Total number of WATERFALLS
households significantly increased to 9% from 18,850 in 1995 to 20,564
in the year 2000.
Bankaw Mountain Resort (Tubajon) –
is located at Barangay Diaz
POLITICAL SUBDIVISION approximately 10 kilometers from the
heart of the municipality. The place can
The newly created province is made up of seven (7) municipalities and be reached after nearly 15 minutes motor
one hundred (100) barangays. The province is a lone congressional ride from the poblacion. This natural
district which is comprised by the municipalities of Basilisa, Cagdianao, waterfall has crystal clear water ideal for
Dinagat, Libjo, Loreto, San Jose and Tubajon. nature loving individuals.

The province is classified as third class. All municipalities except Dinagat

and Tubajon (5th class) are 4th class municipalities.

MANGROVE AND BONSAI FORESTS

LANGUAGE AND DIALECTS

Cebuano, Surigaonon, Boholano, Tagalog, and Waray are the major Mt. Redondo Natural Bonsai Forest
languages/dialects spoken in the province. (Loreto) - Soaring to about 1,000 mtrs.
above sea level is Mt. Redondo (the
2nd highest mountain in the island of
POPULATION Dinagat). The place is almost as cool as
Baguio City. This century tree “Bonsai”
POPULATION AND GROWTH RATE
forest covers an estimated area of
more than 100 hectares. It is one of
Particular 1995 2000
the only two natural bonsai gardens in
Population 100,537.00 106,951.00 the whole Mindanao and the only one accessible by land
Growth Rate transportation.
.59 1.24
(1990 – 1995) (1995 – 2000)
Population Density 123 131
Number of Households 18,850 20,546 COLD AND HOT SPRINGS
Average Household size 5.33 5.20
Source: NSO and IPHO Surigao del Norte
Esperanza Spring (Loreto) - Crystal
clear and chilly water cascades in the
POPULATION AND LAND AREA PROFILE midst of a tropical forest naturally
captured in a lagoon where you can enjoy
Total Land Area a refreshing dip.
Municipality 2000 Population
(has.)
Province 106,951.00 96,745.85
Basilisa 26,489.00 8,052.00
Cagdianao 12,886.00 19,251.00
Dinagat 9,883.00 2,441.00
Libjo 16,610.00 19,191.00
Loreto 8,751.00 16,178.00
San Jose 25,532.00 3,791.00
Tubajon 6,800.00 11,301.00
Source: NSO and PPDO Surigao del Norte
33
8
LAGOONS AND TIDAL FLATS
HISTORICAL GROWTH OF POPULATION

140000
Ouano Lagoon (Libjo) – is hidden from the
rock formation between barangay Arellano 120000

and Plaridel. The perpetual serenity of the

POPULATION
100000
place adds ecstasy to its deep-bluish-clear 80000
water which is ideal for swimming and floating
60000
cottages.
40000

20000

0
1903 1918 1939 1948 1960 1970 1975 1980 1990 1995 2000 2006

Blue Lagoon (Libjo) - is located at Source: NSO 2000, IPHO Surigao del Norte 2006
Pangabangan Island at Barangay Magsaysay,
Libjo with an estimated depth of about 12
feet during low tide and a width of about half The province was once a municipality named Dinagat. From this
a hectare. This lagoon has a crystal clear municipality stemmed the six (6) other municipalities. In 1903, the
water ideal for snorkeling. population of the province was 5,243 and it rose to 116,068 in 2006.
There is a dramatic increase of population during the 1970s due to
the immigration of the members of the Philippine Benevolent
Missionaries Association in the 1960s.

Tambongon Lagoon (Tubajon) - welcomes photography and scuba TOTAL POPULATION AND POPULATION DENSITY
diving.

SURF SITES

Campijagit Point (Cagdianao) - offers

majestic waves that are good for surfing.

Source: IPHO Surigao del Norte 2006

The population density for the whole province is 120 persons per
square kilometer. San Jose is the densest area among the
municipalities with a population of 666 persons per square kilometer
(sq. km.). Basilisa and Dinagat followed. Meanwhile, Loreto is the
least densely populated at 38 persons per square kilometer (sq.
km.).

9
32
 NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS AND AVERAGE SIZE CAVES

Ouano Cave (Libjo) – A gigantic cave

majestically located above Ouano Lagoon.
Crystal quartz glitter on the walls, ceilings
and ground blending with cool green
pigments. The cave has a pond and long
dark tunnels leading to nowhere.

Source: NSO 2000, IPHO Surigao del Norte 2006

NUMBER OF LIVEBIRTHS AND DEATHS PER MUNICIPALITY DIVING SITES

Sangay Beach and Dive Site (Loreto) - is located at the eastern

shore of Loreto facing the Pacific Ocean. It is a potential site for
surfing and diving.

Baing Beach and Dive Site (San Jose)

- a white sand beach located in Sitio
Eviota, Matingbe, San Jose that can be
reached via motorized banca with an
approximate travel time of 15 minutes
Source: NSO 2000
from the port of Poblacion, San Jose.

Dinagat had the least occurrence of live births. There were also 444
deaths recorded in the province of which 284 were male and 160 were
female. Among the municipalities, San Jose had the highest number and
Tubajon got the lowest incidence of death.
LAKES

Lake Bababu (Basilisa) - is mountain

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS lake nestled in vast walls of granite and
surrounded by wild trees. A 45 – minute
In terms of religious affiliations, 53% of the total population is Roman ride by boat from Surigao City and 1 ½
Catholic. The four (4) other most common religious affiliation is hour of hiking and climbing on the
Philippine Independent Church (PIC) or Aglipayan, 7th Day Adventist, steeply sloping hill. A steep descent to
United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) and Iglesia ni Cristo the lake adds thrill to avid adventurers
which comprise 23%, 12%, 4% and 3% of the total population and offers fine views to numerous small
respectively. caves.

10 31
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
POPULATION BY RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS

NATURAL ATTRACTIONS
53%

ISLANDS AND BEACHES Roman Catholic

PIC/Aglipayan
7th Day Adventist
UCCP
Pangabangan Island (Libjo) – is located
Others
at the western side of Libjo. It is about 20
23% Iglesia ni Cristo
minutes pumpboat ride from the poblacion. 1% No Data
With a size of about 2.5 hectares, it is 3%
blessed with fine-white-sand, untouched 4%
4% 12%
nature. Rock formation towering over the
deep bluish clear water with wonderful
Source: NSO 2000
corral reefs. Viewed from the island, the
beautifully scattered ‘Romantic Islets’ are
comparable to the Hundred Islands of Pangasinan.
HOUSING AND SETTLEMENT

Bitaug Beach (Basilisa) - is the new paradise The feasibility of housing project in the province is not a problem,
of the island, south of Basilisa. It offers since wide tracks of land are available to be developed as residential
powder-white sand beach with rock formations. areas. The province also possesses a relative abundance of the basic
It can be reached by sea transportation for raw materials needed for housing construction.
about an hour and a half trip from the service
center. Assistance programs such as Resettlement Program, Community-
based Land Tenurial Assistance Programs, Cooperative Housing
Program and Joint-Venture Programs (DICP) are offered in the
locality.

OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS PER MUNICIPALITY

Sundayo Beach (Basilisa) – is ideal for
snorkeling with islets in different shapes and
4,820
sizes that surround it. It is near Lake Bababu 5,000
4,802

No. of Occupied Housing Units

and can be reached by an hour and a half 4,500
boat trip from Surigao City. 4,000
3,500 3,072
3,000 2,537
2,500
1,904
1,738
Pig-ot Hideaway Beach (Libjo) - A cluster 2,000
1,313
of islets that looks like broken emeralds 1,500
slapped on the aquamarine surface of the 1,000
water. One can witness the different aquatic 500
species gliding and hiding behind coral reefs. -
This hideaway is indeed heavenly especially San Jose Basilisa Libjo Cagdianao Dinagat Loreto Tubajon
for adventure, leisure seekers and nature
lovers. Source: NSO 2000

30 11
Of the total occupied housing units, 83.38% are owned and amortized, NUMBER OF INDUSTRIES
8.98% occupied for free with owners consent, 6.86% occupied for free
without owners’ consent, 2.38% rented and 4.58% are not reported.
This means that majority of the people have the financial resources to
own a property given the availability of land and raw materials.

TOTAL OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS BY CONDITION OF THE

BUILDING PER MUNICIPALITY

Sources: MCLUPs & MPDO of San Jose 1998-1999

COMMERCE AND TRADE

NUMBER OF REGISTERED BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT BY

TYPE
Source: NSO 2000

INCOME, EXPENDITURES AND POVERTY INCIDENCE

The average annual family income and expenditure for the province of
Surigao del Norte is observed at Php 80,261.00 and Php 70,820.00
respectively for the year 2000. Consequently, average per capita income
is Php 18,948.00 and average per capita expenditure is Php 16,450.00.
Based from this, average savings per family and per capita are Php
9,981.00 and Php 2,498.00 respectively. Sources: DTI, Surigao del Norte
Seven Municipal Treasurer’s Office
Based from the NSCB report, the municipality of Basilisa and Loreto have
the highest and lowest poverty incidence respectively. Average poverty
incidence in the province is 0.6437. it means that 0.6437 of the FIVE MAJOR BUSINESSES
population are below the poverty line. Poverty gap is measured at
0.2434 and severity is 0.1174. Commercial Trade
20
Metal & Electrical Works
31
Bakery/Carenderia/Food Services
68
Vegetables, Meat & Marine
Products
88
Sari-sari store/Dry Goods

934

0 200 400 600 800 1000

COUNT

Source: MCLUPs & MPDO of San Jose 1998-1999

12 29
POULTRY POVERTY MEASURES
POULTRY POPULATION 0.8

0.6

VALUE
0.4

0.2

0.0
Source: Bureau of Agricultural Statistics 2003 Basilisa Cagdianao Dinagat Libjo Loreto San Jose Tubajon
Incidence 0.7268 0.7202 0.5973 0.6765 0.4940 0.6493 0.6418
Gap 0.2883 0.2853 0.2162 0.2598 0.1699 0.2425 0.2420
MINING AND QUARRYING Severity 0.1431 0.1412 0.1010 0.1263 0.0775 0.1158 0.1167

Source: NSCB 2000

There are 17,113.91 hectares of land devoted to mining and quarrying
activities. Cagdianao covers the largest percentage share with 55.70%.
Loreto follows with 16.38% while Libjo ranks last with only 4.36%. Of the total family expenditures, 50.2% is spent on food, 10.1% on
rental of occupied dwelling unit, 6.0% on fuel/light/water, 5.7% on
Chromite is the primary resources mined in the province. Total miscellaneous expenditures such as gifts and contributions for special
production of Chromite is 12,167.61 metric tons. Concentrate occasions, 4.7% on education and 23.3% on other expenditures.
metallurgical chromite accounts for 66.24% of the total volume of Other expenditures include transportation and communication,
production while lumpy metallurgical chromite comprises 33.76%. The medical care, taxes, recreation and clothing among others.
total production of metallurgical chromite values at Php 40,113,160.03
production while the lumpy type comprises 37.75%.
DISTRIBUTION ON FAMILY EXPENDITURES
CONSOLIDATED PRODUCTION AND SALES OF MINERAL
COMMODITIES

Food

23.3% Rental of Occupied Units

Fuel/Light/Water

50.2% Miscellaneous
4.7%
(Gifts/Special Occasions)
Education
5.7%
Source: Mines & Geo-Sciences Bureau XIII (what year?) Others
6.0%

10.1%
INDUSTRY

There are 42 industries engaging in arts and handicrafts, while only one
is engaged in citronella production. The making of charcoal from coconut Source: NSO 2000
shells is another common industry in the province.
EDUCATION

Generally, the people in the Province of Dinagat Islands have

undergone formal education. A large segment of the population
completed elementary and high school education.

28
13
The island has seven (7) school districts. It has 124 pre-schools, 19 LIVESTOCK
primary schools, 94 elementary schools, 24 secondary schools but it has
only one college. A huge number of Dinagatnons usually go to Surigao
City for tertiary level of education and quite a number opted to go to LIVESTOCK POPULATION
Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro City, Butuan City and Marawi City.

On technical vocational education and training (TVET), there is only one

technical vocational institution (TVI) the Don Jose Ecleo Memorial
Foundation College of Science and Technology (DJEMFCST). Dinagat
School of Fisheries (DOF) has reverted to the DepEd by virtue of the
trifocalization of the management in the education sector and has ceased
to technical vocational programs. Programs being offered by this lone
TVET institution are information technology management and electrical
and electronic technology.
Source: Bureau of Agricultural Statistics 2003

NUMBER OF SCHOOL BY LEVEL OF EDUCATION PER

MUNICIPALITY Among the seven municipalities, Dinagat has the most number of
livestock with 6,223 or 27.18% of the total number of livestock in
the province. Libjo and Basilisa follow with 25.66% and 18.28%
respectively. Cagdianao has the least percentage of 10.32%. There is
a total income of 172,982 pesos generated from livestock raising.
Off-farm income contributes the largest with 58,843 pesos while
non-farm generates the least with 46,920 pesos.

HOUSEHOLD INCOME BASED ON FARMING

Source: DepEd Surigao del Norte Division, SY 2003-2004

Majority of the population have undergone formal education, the

Dinagatnons in general has 94.09% literacy rate with population ranging
five years old and above. The province has 96.14% functional literacy
rate within 15 years old and above population. The Municipality of
Tubajon has the highest literacy rate of 96.88%.

Source: DLR-PMEU based on ARCM 3Q2004

14 27
 CLASSROOM-STUDENT RATIO
TEN MOST EXPENSIVE FISH SPECIES BY AVERAGE PRICE
PER KILO INSTITUTIONAL ROOMS ANALYSIS

70.00 ELEMENTARY LEVEL

70.00
Manimbuyaw
80.00
Suyahan
80.00
Bat-og
80.00 Boras
100.00 Langog
120.00 Bariles
120.00 Kuyabotan
120.00 Lapu-lapu
180.00 Tangigi
Bangus
0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00
Source: DepEd Surigao del Norte Division, SY 2003-2004
Price per kilo

Source: Municipal Fisheries Profile 2005

SECONDARY LEVEL

NUMBER OF FISHERMEN BY GEARS USED

787 Oyang-oyang/Gill Net

6308 Hook and Line
83 Buso/Cast Net

372
Fish Cord/Net
Spear Gun
1093
Rison
219 Source: DepEd Surigao del Norte Division, SY 2003-2004
Dapal
61
Fish/Crab Pot
3218 Pamo/Drift Net
30 Liba-liba TEACHER-STUDENT RATIO
3 Bobo/Fish Trap
2 TEACHER DEPLOYMENT ANALYSIS

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 ELEMENTARY LEVEL

COUNT

Source: Municipal Fisheries Profile 2001-2005

There are a lot of concerns in the fishery sector. One problem is the lack
of fishing technology and facilities in the province. Another is the
prevalence of illegal fishing activities. The absence of proper delineation
of municipal waters and the encroachment by commercial fishers into
the municipal waters are major issues that hound the local fishing
industry. Source: DepEd Surigao del Norte Division, SY 2003-2004

26 15
SECONDARY LEVEL There is a total fish production of 161.5 metric tons in 2005. Dilis has
the largest volume of catch of 38 metric tons. Hawol-hawol or
Tamban follows with 28.1 metric tons. Timbongan ranks tenth with
3.25 metric tons.

VOLUME OF PRODUCTION OF TEN MAJOR SPECIES

38

28.1 Dilis
8.6 Hawol-hawol/Tamban
Katambak
7
Source: DepEd Surigao del Norte Division, SY 2003-2004 Nokos
7
Anduhaw
5.5 Balo
5 Budloy

HEALTH AND NUTRITION 3.5

Boras
Tulingan
3.5
Timbongan
Every RHU in the municipality conducts an annual program called 3.25
“Operation Timbang”. In 2003, the result revealed that 67% of the
children weighed (aged 6 years and under) are within normal weight. 0 10 20 30 40
Only 29% are below normal weight and 4% are above normal weight. VOLUME (MT)

Among the municipalities, Cagdianao has the most number of

Source: Municipal Fisheries Profile 2005
underweight and overweight children.

OPERATION TIMBANG RESULTS FOR CHILDREN UNDER 6 YEARS In 2005, bangus is the most expensive species of fish, costing an
average price of Php 180 per kilo. Tangigi, Lapu-lapu and Kuyobotan
follow with Php 120. Manimbuyaw and Suyahan both cost Php 70 per
Above Normal
kilo.
Weight, 4%
Below Normal
Weight, 29%

Within Normal
Weight, 67%

Source: IPHO Surigao del Norte 2003

In 2006, only 11.81% of the total live births or deliveries were attended
by doctors, 0.25% by nurses and 23.99% by midwives. Majority of live
births of 61.81% were attended by trained hilots. Of the total live births,
69.97% were delivered at home while only 29.90% were delivered at the
hospital. A good number of residents would resort to “manghihilots”
because

16 25
IRRIGATION it is affordable and convenient, and hospitals are not that accessible.
Even if the facilities-hospital, RHU, BHS were near their area, the
Irrigation systems are established throughout the whole province. There availability of personnel is still uncertain. Fortunately, majority of the
is a total land area of 720 hectares being irrigated and 806 farmers deliveries were categorized as normal deliveries where only 22.04%
being served by these irrigation systems. Irrigated wet farms have a were considered risky.
total area of 637 hectares while dry farms have an area of 455 hectares.
However, there is still insufficiency of irrigation systems in the province
PERCENTAGE OF DELIVERIES BY ATTENDEE
especially in the municipalities of Loreto and Tubajon.
Untrained Hilot, 31
Other than lack of irrigation, the conversion of agricultural land to Others, 3
residential land is another problem. Rice production deficit is also a Doctors, 188
concern in the agriculture sector of the province. The 2003 Bureau of Nurses,
Agricultural Statistics that rice production reached a volume of 6,225.25
metric tons. Total consumption of rice totaled 15,615.03 metric tons. As
a consequence, there is a rice deficit of 9,389.78 metric tons. Another Midwives, 382
predicament being faced by the farmers is the lack of capital to meet the
demand for fertilizer and farm chemicals. Trained Hilot, 984

FISHERIES

FISHERY STATISTICS Source: IPHO Surigao del Norte 2006

*hilots or manghihilots – traditional health practitioners/midwives

PERCENTAGE OF DELIVERIES BY LOCATION

Others, 2

Hospital, 476

Source: Municipal Fisheries Profile, 2001 Home, 1,114

Bureau of Agricultural Statistics

Source: IPHO Surigao del Norte 2006

24 17
 CROP PRODUCTION STATISTICS
PERCENTAGE OF DELIVERIES BY TYPE OF CY 2004
PREGNANCY
Harvest Production
Crop
Area (HA) (MT)
Palay 26,179.00 67,629.00
Unknown, 345 Risk, 351
Coconut 605.00 668.00
Corn 93,300.00 89,790.33
Banana 1,160.00 9,645.33
Coffee 18.00 11.75
Cacao 75.00 31.60
Vegetables (all
720.00 3,535.00
kinds)
Normal, 896 Root crops (all
1,220.00 40,526.63
kinds)
Source: Bureau of Agricultural Statistics
Source: IPHO Surigao del Norte 2006

CROP PRODUCTION BY VOLUME (MT)

In 2006, the leading causes of morbidity are Acute Upper Respiratory
Infection (AURI), Tuberculosis, Influenza, Diarrhea and Pneumonia.
Respiratory infections are the leading causes of morbidity. These
infectious diseases can be caused by viral or bacterial infections. It is
usually a result of an unhealthy environment and poor nutrition.
Meanwhile, the leading causes of mortality are Tuberculosis, Heart
Disease, Myocardial infection, Cancer and Pneumonia. The leading
causes of death are mostly degenerative disease.

Source: MAOs & CLUPs 2005-2007

Phil. Coconut Authority, Surigao del Norte

INVENTORY OF FARM MACHINERIES AND FACILITIES

Source: Bureau of Agricultural Statistics 1999

Source: Municipal RHUs 2006

18 23
or covered multi-functional gymnasiums, billiard halls and sing-along
houses. Construction and enhancement of additional athletic grounds LEADING CAUSES OF MORTALITY
and playgrounds should be taken into consideration. At present, only the
Municipality of Cagdianao has an athletic ground which also served as a 80
playground. Gymnasiums also need enhancement to improve present
conditions. 70

NUMBER OF CASES
60
50
ECONOMIC PROFILE 40
30
AGRICULTURE 20
10
The Province of Dinagat Islands is considered as an agricultural area.
0
Agricultural lands cover an area of about 35,265.7 hectares. This Tuberculosis Hyper Myocardial Cancer Pneumonia
comprises 36.44% of the province total land area. Among the seven Cardiovascular Infection
municipalities of the islands, Loreto contributes the largest in the total Disease
agricultural land area with 25,587 hectares. Libjo follows with 20,748.96
hectares, San Jose has the least with 3,849 hectares. Source: Municipal RHUs 2006

CROP PRODUCTION BY AREA HEALTH FACILITIES AND PERSONNEL

Dinagat Islands is divided into two inter local health zones. These are
the North Zone which comprises municipality of Loreto, Libjo and
Tubajon. The South Zone is composed of San Jose, Dinagat,
Cagdianao and Basilisa. The South Zone is served by 1 district
hospital located in Dinagat. On the other hand, the North Zone has
two hospitals – Albor District Hospital and Loreto District Hospital.

HEALTH PERSONNEL, NUMBER OF MUNICIPALITIES SERVED AND

NUMBER OF BEDS PER DISTRICT HOSPITAL

Source: MAOs & CLUPs 2005-2007 50

Phil. Coconut Authority, Surigao del Norte (unit used)
40

NUMBER
30
20
10
0
Albor District Dinagat District Loreto District
Hospital Hospital Hospital
Health Personnel 37 41 13
Municipalities Served 2 3 2
Beds 10 30 10

Source: IPHO Surigao del Norte 2006

22 19
SAFE WATER ACCESS AND SANITATION NUMBER OF BARANGAY HEALTH STATION

In 2006, there are 21,147 households in the province. Among those,

92.34% have access to safe water, 78.68% have sanitary toilets and
63.70% have satisfactory garbage disposal. Since a large number of
households are equipped with such facilities, sanitation within the
households is not a problem. However, waste disposal is a problem
outside the limits of their home. Environmental factors contribute to the
over-all health condition of the people. Thus, there is a need to put
together an effective waste disposal management – may it be within the
Source: IPHO Surigao del Norte 2006
households or within every community.

HOUSEHOLDS WITH SAFE WATER ACCESS, SANITARY TOILETS AND

PROTECTIVE SERVICES
SATISFACTORY GARBAGE DISPOSAL
The problem besetting the province, especially in the municipality of
20000 Tubajon in particular is the risk to the environment and natural
18000 resources. It is inevitable to include the fish habitats and forestlands
NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS

16000
which are the most vulnerable sectors in the environmental
14000
protection programs of the Philippine National Police, hand in hand
with the efforts of the Provincial Government. All the programs are
12000
geared toward the eradication of destructive activities such as illegal
10000
logging and fishing that are chronic problems according to the
8000
Philippine National Police.
6000
4000 The seven (7) municipalities have Barangay at Pulisya Laban sa
2000 Krimen (BPLK) members in every barangay. They actively participate
0 in activities and programs initiated by the local government and the
access to safe water sanitary toilet satisfactory garbage
disposal
PNP. But lack of equipments such as handheld radios, handcuffs,
among others, affect their response to emergencies. It is also a
Source: IPHO Surigao del Norte 2006 necessity to establish enough BPLK outposts in every barangay.

FIRE PREVENTION
NUMBER OF HEALTH WORKERS PER MUNICIPALITY
There are two (2) fire stations operating in the Province of Dinagat
Islands. These stations are based in the municipalities of Dinagat and
San Jose. Establishment of additional stations for the five remaining
municipalities and procurement of sufficient equipments should be
prioritized to prevent future fire related emergencies keeping up with
the projected growth of the province. The existing and additional fire
stations should meet the standard fireman population ratio of 1
fireman is to 100 population in the municipal area.

SPORTS AND RECREATION FACILITIES

Sports and recreation facilities in the Province of Dinagat Islands are

mostly comprised of outdoor basketball courts, volleyball courts,
Source: IPHO Surigao del Norte 2006 indoor

20 21