Cagdianao is a coastal municipality in the southeast of Dinagat Island and the largest of the province's seven towns by land area, covering 196.57 km² — nearly a quarter of the province[1]. Created in 1959, it looks across the water to the towns of mainland Surigao del Norte and is known for its waterfalls, river pools and long beaches[1][4].
At a glance
| Province | Dinagat Islands, Caraga (Region XIII)[3] |
|---|---|
| Land area | 196.57 km² — 24.05% of the province[1] |
| Barangays | 14[1] |
| Population | 18,350 (2020 Census); 16,808 (2015); 4,342 (1960)[1] |
| Created | 23 December 1959 (Executive Order No. 367)[2] |
| Neighbours | Dinagat, San Jose and Basilisa; across the water, Tagana-an, Placer and San Francisco (Surigao del Norte)[1] |
Location
The town centre lies at about 9.9229° N, 125.6719° E, about 5.6 m above sea level[1]. Its coast faces south and east, towards the mainland of Surigao del Norte.
History
Cagdianao was part of the old Municipality of Dinagat until 23 December 1959, when President Carlos P. Garcia signed Executive Order No. 367. It separated the barrios of Cagdianao, Mata-as, Bayantian, Cabugaan, Lahi, Santa Rita, Nueva Estrella, Del Pilar, Valencia, Boa and Tigbao — with their sitios and the sitios of Legaspi and Tapahan — from Dinagat and organised them into the independent Municipality of Cagdianao, with its seat at the barrio of Cagdianao[2]. In 2006 the town became part of the new Province of Dinagat Islands[3].
People and barangays
The population has grown from 4,342 in 1960 to 16,808 in 2015 and 18,350 in 2020 — an annual growth rate of 1.86% between 2015 and 2020[1]. The 14 barangays are Boa, Cabunga-an, Del Pilar, Laguna, Legaspi, Ma-atas, Mabini, Nueva Estrella, Poblacion, R. Ecleo, Sr., San Jose, Santa Rita, Tigbao and Valencia[1].
Places to visit
- Daku Waterfalls (Barangay Tigbao) — cool, clear water for a swim[4].
- Mayatoy Falls and River Adventure (Barangay Boa) — a series of clear river pools carved by the terrain[4].
- Hinabyan Beach — clear water rolling onto a kilometre-long stretch of fine sand[4].
- Sayaw Islet — fine white sand and clear water, named after the sayaw bird that once lived there[4].
- Tagbirayan Beach Resort — soft, brown-sugar sand and a quiet seaside setting[4].
- Sabang Dam — built in the early 1980s by the Philippine Nickel Corporation as water storage, about 20 km from the Nonoc nickel mine[4].
Ask us about visiting Cagdianao on a custom tour, and see How to Get Here.
The other municipalities: Basilisa · Dinagat · Libjo · Loreto · San Jose · Tubajon · About Dinagat Islands
References
- PhilAtlas. Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands Profile (based on Philippine Statistics Authority data). Source
- Office of the President. Executive Order No. 367 — Creating the Municipality of Cagdianao in the Province of Surigao (23 December 1959). 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. Cagdianao — Attractions. 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.
