Dalaguete, Cebu

Dalaguete
Municipality
St William of Aquitaine church
Map of Cebu with Dalaguete highlighted
Dalaguete Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 9°46′N 123°32′E / 9.77°N 123.53°ECoordinates: 9°46′N 123°32′E / 9.77°N 123.53°E
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Visayas (Region VII)
Province	Cebu
District	2nd district of Cebu
Barangay	33 (see § Barangays)
Government [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Ronald Cesante (LP)
• Vice mayor	Jeffrey Belciña
• Town Council	Members William Lagahid Estanisla Almagro Kevin Belandres Royce Cesante Felix Villacorta Francis Belciña Mario Montenegro Hilarion Belciña 2016 unofficial result
• Representative	Wilfredo Caminero
Area[2]
• Total	154.96 km^2 (59.83 sq mi)
Population (2015 census)[3]
• Total	67,497
• Density	440/km^2 (1,100/sq mi)
• Voter (2016)[4]	35,658
Demonym(s)	Dalaguetenon Dalaguitnon
Time zone	PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP code	6022
IDD : area code	+63 (0)32
Income class	1st class
PSGC	072222000
Website	www.dalaguete.gov.ph

Dalaguete is a 1st municipal income class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines,^[2] located 84 kilometres (52 mi) south of Cebu city. It is bounded on the north by Argao, on the south by Alcoy, on the west by the municipalities of Badian and Alegria and on the east by the Bohol Strait.^[5] According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 67,497.^[3] In the 2016 election, it had 35,658 registered voters.^[4] Dalaguete is home to Cebu's highest summit, the Osmeña Peak.

History

The natives look upon the tree not for its gigantic size, nor for its fruit which is of no use, but rather for the religious observance of the natives.

— Alcina 1668^:473–485

They highly consider this tree for their belief that it harbors spirits or diwatas who could impose sickness if maltreated or hand in fortunes and gifts if placated. When fully grown, the intertwining roots are exposed from the earth and form huge caverns that could house several people.^[6]

The dalakit (Ficus benjamina) tree is the foundation of the origin and name of Dalaguete. In ancient times, before the coming of the Spaniards, these trees had been used by people as major landmarks. People gathered under the encompassing shades and conduct social and economic activities such us festivities, contest, trading meetings and other community gatherings. They establish market places under the shades of the dalaket where they sell their products and conduct trade with local roving traders bringing in Chinese and Asiatic goods from the port of Cebu.^[6]

The place where the church or the poblacion were laid would have been the site of a communal gathering area for the natives. It was also the abode of a huge dalaket tree which provide shade and shelter while people conduct their activities. "Adto ta mag-abot sa dalakit". "Adto ta magtigom-tigom sa dalakit" [Let us meet at the dalakit]. These and other popular phrases have the common practice of our ancestors when coming up with an agreement to meet or conduct an activity specifically at the site where the dalakit is situated. For several generations in pre-Hispanic Dalaguete, the area has always been unofficially called as dalakit. Its accessibility and its reputation as a communal area for community gathering have prompted the Spanish authorities to construct the church and eventually establish the area as part of an encomienda. From this common ground, and from this tree, begun the conception of a larger town which later come to be known as Dalaguete.^[6]

Geography

Land characteristics

• Land Area: 15,496 hectares (38,290 acres)
• Topography: 85% hilly and mountainous with more than 30% slope
• Land Use:
  • 45% protected area and watersheds
  • 30% agriculture (prime area for vegetable production in the province)
  • 6% built-up area (proj. 2010: 6 - 15%)

Climate

Tropical climate prevails year round in Dalaguete. The temperature is high and varies little with a difference of about 3 °C (5.4 °F) between the coldest month which occurs around January and hottest month around May. The mountain barangays are cold and Mantalongon is considered the "Little Baguio of Cebu". Average daytime temperatures except in mountainous region range from 22.2 to 32.1 °C (72.0 to 89.8 °F). Humidity is 77%.

Barangays

Dalaguete comprises 33 barangays:^[2]

PSGC	Barangay	Population			±% p.a.	Area[2]		PD 2015
		2015[3]		2010[7]		ha	acre	/km^2	/sq mi
072222001	Ablayan	1.8%	1,207	1,146	+0.99%	450	1,112	270	690
072222002	Babayongan	0.7%	468	458	+0.41%	386	954	120	310
072222003	Balud	4.8%	3,214	3,044	+1.04%	128	316	2,500	6,500
072222004	Banhigan	1.8%	1,239	1,240	−0.02%	121	299	1,000	2,700
072222005	Bulak	1.3%	873	893	−0.43%	460	1,137	190	490
072222007	Caleriohan	3.3%	2,202	1,861	+3.26%	353	872	620	1,600
072222006	Caliongan	3.4%	2,319	2,298	+0.17%	889	2,197	260	680
072222008	Casay	6.3%	4,283	4,103	+0.82%	353	872	1,200	3,100
072222009	Catolohan	2.6%	1,759	1,587	+1.98%	945	2,335	190	480
072222010	Cawayan	4.0%	2,681	2,599	+0.59%	297	734	900	2,300
072222011	Consolacion	2.9%	1,966	1,561	+4.49%	194	479	1,000	2,600
072222012	Coro	1.8%	1,228	1,019	+3.62%	264	652	470	1,200
072222013	Dugyan	1.5%	994	1,094	−1.81%	308	761	320	840
072222014	Dumalan	2.6%	1,756	1,664	+1.03%	891	2,202	200	510
072222015	Jolomaynon	2.0%	1,338	1,458	−1.62%	469	1,159	290	740
072222016	Lanao	1.7%	1,124	1,094	+0.52%	575	1,421	200	510
072222017	Langkas	2.0%	1,344	1,191	+2.33%	326	806	410	1,100
072222018	Lumbang	1.1%	773	791	−0.44%	110	272	700	1,800
072222019	Malones	1.9%	1,291	1,145	+2.31%	237	586	540	1,400
072222020	Maloray	1.4%	941	918	+0.47%	433	1,070	220	560
072222021	Mananggal	1.6%	1,047	1,025	+0.41%	166	410	630	1,600
072222023	Manlapay	3.2%	2,152	2,095	+0.51%	526	1,300	410	1,100
072222024	Mantalongon	9.7%	6,517	5,238	+4.25%	917	2,266	710	1,800
072222025	Nalhub	2.7%	1,834	1,797	+0.39%	703	1,737	260	680
072222026	Obo	2.1%	1,392	1,651	−3.20%	483	1,194	290	750
072222027	Obong	4.6%	3,078	3,277	−1.19%	940	2,323	330	850
072222028	Pañas	1.2%	832	727	+2.60%	357	882	230	600
072222029	Poblacion	9.4%	6,355	5,893	+1.45%	144	356	4,400	11,000
072222030	Sacsac	2.6%	1,726	1,509	+2.59%	597	1,475	290	750
072222033	Salug	1.6%	1,106	1,003	+1.88%	372	919	300	770
072222034	Tabon	4.6%	3,094	3,056	+0.24%	510	1,260	610	1,600
072222031	Tapun	6.0%	4,068	3,577	+2.48%	202	499	2,000	5,200
072222032	Tuba	1.9%	1,296	1,227	+1.05%	940	2,323	140	360
	Total		67,497	63,239	+1.25%	15,496	38,291	440	1,100

Demographics

Population census of Dalaguete
Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1990 45,545 —     1995 48,778 +1.29% 2000 57,331 +3.52%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 2007 61,405 +0.95% 2010 63,239 +1.08% 2015 67,497 +1.25%
Source: Philippine Statistics Office[3][7][8]

In the 2016 election, it had 35,658 registered voters, meaning that 53% of the population are aged 18 and over.^[4]

Economy

Dalaguete Public Market – wet fish

• Agriculture: farming, fishing
• Products: vegetables, fish
• Cottage industry: blanket & mat weaving, basket making
• Mineral Resources: ice stones, lime red stone, lime pink stones, wood stones, phosphate, coal

Religious institutions

Roman Catholic Parishes

• S. Guillermo de Aquitania, founded 1711 (Poblacion)
• S. Isidro Labrador, founded 1958 (Mantalongon)
• Sta. Monica, founded 1952 (Cawayan)
• Our Lady of Consolation, founded 2012 (Manlapay)

Protestant Churches

• Faith Tabernacle Church (Poblacion)
• Assembly of God (Poblacion)
• Evangelical Free Church (Poblacion)
• Jehovah's Witnesses (Poblacion)

Utanon Festival

Dalaguete celebrates its annual town fiesta in honor of its patron saint, San Guillermo, every 9 and 10 February. One of the highlights of the celebration is the street dancing and showdown competition called "Utanon Festival".

Utanon Festival is also a form of thanksgiving for all the blessings and graces the Dalaguetenons have received from San Guillermo and for giving them a place so rich in agriculture and music. Utanon Festival is a celebration of good harvest through dance and music. The town is known as the Vegetable Basket of Cebu and Mantalongon as the Summer Capital of Cebu.

References

1. "Municipality". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
2. "Municipal: Dalaguete, Cebu". PSA. Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
3. "Region VII (CENTRAL VISAYAS)". Census of Population (2015): Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay (Report). PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
4. "2016 National and Local Elections Statistics". Commission on Elections. 2016.
5. "Statistics". Municipal Government of Dalaguete. Archived from the original on 31 October 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
6. "Origin of the name "Dalaguete"". Municipal Government of Dalaguete. Archived from the original on 31 October 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
7. "Region VII (CENTRAL VISAYAS)". Census of Population and Housing (2010): Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay (Report). NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
8. "Region VII (CENTRAL VISAYAS)". Census of Population (1995, 2000 and 2007): Total Population by Province, City and Municipality (Report). NSO. Archived from the original on 24 June 2011.

Sources

• Alcina, Fr Francisco Ignacio (1668). Historia natural del sitio, fertilidad y calidad de las Islas e Indios de Bisayas [Alcina's History of the Bisayan Islands] (in Spanish).

External links

Media related to Frescoed church ceilings in the Philippines at Wikimedia Commons