Dinagat Islands Province History

Profile (Geography)
Location –> Caraga Region, Philippines (See map below)
Nearest Province –> Surigao Del Norte
Capital –> San Jose
Area –> 1,036.34 km2 (400.13 sq mi)
Population –> 127,152 (2105 census)
Terrain –> Mountainous with few narrow coastal plains
Industries –> Agriculture
Major Products –> Rice, Coconut, Fish
People/Language –> Cebuano, Surigaonon

Cities –> None
Municipalities (Towns) –> (7) Basilisa, Cagdianao, Dinagat, Libjo, Loreto, San Jose, and Tubajon

Government Officials
Governor –> Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao
Predecessor –> Glenda Ecleo
Vice Governor –> Nilo Demerey Jr.
Predecessor –> Benglen Ecleo
Representative (Lone District) –> Alan Ecleo
Predecessor –> Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao

Dinagat Islands History

Even before the coming of the Spaniards, there were already settlements in Dinagat which were under the rule of the Rajah based in Butuan.

In 1965, Ruben Edera Ecleo Sr. founded the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA) at Sitio Puyange, now Poblacion in San Jose. Many of its members came from other provinces and settled in Dinagat.

The islands of Dinagat were historically under the jurisdiction of Surigao Del Norte until December 2, 2006 when it was created as a separate province by virtue of Republic Act No. 9355. There were constitutional issues surrounding its creation but the Supreme Court gave its final decision on October 24, 2012 upholding the validity of RA 9355.

Former Governors
2007-2010 – Geraldine Ecleo Villaroman
2010-2019 – Glenda Ecleo

Former Congressmen / Representatives
2007-2010 – Glenda B. Ecleo
2010-2013 – Ruben B. Ecleo, Jr. * Did not finish his term. AKBAYAN representative Kaka Bag-ao took over as Caretaker

Go here to see all the famous people from Dinagat Island.

Go here to see the candidates and results of the 2019 election in Dinagat Islands Province.

Read the history of Dinagat Province in Tagalog here.

Economy of Dinagat Islands Province

The people of Dinagat Province are primarily dependent on fishing and marginal farming for their livelihood. Fish, rice, and coconut are main products. As the nearest city, Surigao City, the capital of Surigao del Norte, is the main source of goods sold in Dinagat and also the market for excess agricultural produce. Although the provincial government is promoting tourism, it is still on its infancy stage with only a few visitors come from other provinces.

RELATED: Profile of Palawan Province
See also: List of Philippine Provinces and Capital by Region

Map of Province