Basilisa is a coastal municipality on the western side of Dinagat Island and the most populous of the province's seven towns: its 36,911 people made up 28.81% of the province's population in the 2020 Census[1]. Its former name was Rizal[1], and it is home to some of Dinagat's best-known beaches and rock formations[5].
At a glance
| Province | Dinagat Islands, Caraga (Region XIII)[4] |
|---|---|
| Land area | 102.46 km² — 12.53% of the province[1] |
| Barangays | 27[1] |
| Population | 36,911 (2020 Census); 36,880 (2015); 5,047 (1970)[1] |
| Created | As Rizal, 17 June 1967 (Republic Act No. 4986); as Basilisa, 21 June 1969 (Republic Act No. 5775)[2][3] |
| Neighbours | San Jose, Dinagat, Libjo, Cagdianao, Tubajon and Loreto[1] |
Location
Basilisa lies at about 9.9985° N, 125.5104° E, a coastal town whose centre sits only about 6.8 m above sea level[1]. Its territory includes Unib Islet, whose southern shore looks out to Danaoan Islet[5].
History
Basilisa was carved out of the old Municipality of Dinagat in two steps. On 17 June 1967, Republic Act No. 4986 created the Municipality of Rizal from thirteen barrios of Dinagat — Rizal, Cortes, Paniog, Naga, Melgar, Puerto Princesa, Catadman, Tag-abaca, Columbus, Montag, Roxas, Bagtasan and Colo — with its seat at Barrio Rizal[2].
Two years later, on 21 June 1969, Republic Act No. 5775 created the Municipality of Basilisa from ten barrios of Dinagat — Catadman, Columbus, Cortez, Melgar, Mantag, Puerto Princesa, Rizal, Roxas, Tababaca and Paniog — again with Rizal as the seat of government[3]. Its first name, Rizal, is still recorded as the town's former name[1]. In 2006 it became one of the seven municipalities of the new Province of Dinagat Islands[4].
People and barangays
The population grew from 5,047 in 1970 to 33,880 in 2010, 36,880 in 2015 and 36,911 in 2020, at a density of about 360 people per km²[1]. The 27 barangays are Benglen, Catadman, Columbus, Coring, Cortes, Diegas, Doña Helene, Edera, Ferdinand, Geotina, Imee, Melgar, Montag, Navarro, New Nazareth, Poblacion, Puerto Princesa, Rita Glenda, Roma, Roxas, Santa Monica, Santo Niño, Sering, Sombrado, Tag-abaca, Villa Ecleo and Villa Pantinople[1].
Places to visit
- Bitaog Beach — white sand, clear water and rows of tall coconut trees, about an hour and a half by boat from Nonoc Island[6]; the provincial government calls its turquoise water and fine white sand an undiscovered paradise[5].
- Bababu Lake (Barangay Melgar) — a mountain lake whose name comes from the Cebuano baba sa buwaya, "crocodile's mouth", after the shape of its cove[5].
- Cabacongan — a quiet white-sand beach named after the wild bacung plant that grows along its shore[5].
- Duyos — on the southern part of Unib Islet, with a view of Danaoan Islet[5].
- Hagakhak Rock Formations — a limestone formation with intricate lines and ridges worn into its surface[5].
Several of these are stops on our island-hopping tours. See also Pagkawasan Garden Beach Resort and our How to Get Here page.
The other municipalities: Cagdianao · Dinagat · Libjo · Loreto · San Jose · Tubajon · About Dinagat Islands
References
- PhilAtlas. Basilisa, Dinagat Islands Profile (based on Philippine Statistics Authority data). Source
- Republic of the Philippines. Republic Act No. 4986 — An Act Creating the Municipality of Rizal in the Province of Surigao del Norte (approved 17 June 1967). LawPhil Project. Source
- Republic of the Philippines. Republic Act No. 5775 — An Act Creating the Municipality of Basilisa in the Province of Surigao del Norte (approved 21 June 1969). LawPhil Project. Source
- Republic of the Philippines. Republic Act No. 9355 — An Act Creating the Province of Dinagat Islands (approved 2 October 2006). LawPhil Project. Source
- Provincial Government of Dinagat Islands. Basilisa — Attractions. Source
- Department of Tourism, Republic of the Philippines. Dinagat Islands (Love the Philippines). Source
Compiled by Island Getaway Travel and Tours from the sources above. Figures are those published by each source; if you notice something that has changed, please let us know.
