Dinagat Island Province, Philippines

By James Barcelona

Tourist Attractions

Lake Bababu

Lake Bababu is located in the municipality of Basilisa. The lake got its name from the Bisaya phrase 'Baba ng Buaya" which means 'mouth of crocodile'. Whether this name came from a crocodile mouth-shaped rock formation or there used to have crocodiles living here is still undetermined. This has an underwater channel connected to the sea, thereby feeding the lake with saltwater from below while fresh water at the top remains uninterrupted.

Isla Aga

Isla Aga. At one end of this tiny island lies a broken hanging bridge which provides an excellent view of the sea and the surrounding islands. You can never possibly stop yourself from having a dip in the crystal clear water enclosing Isla Aga. Its beach was just too alluring to resist.

Bitaog Beach

Bitaog Beach is located in an island that is part of the municipality of Basilisa, Dinagat Islands. The powdery white sand of Bitaog Beach offers more than just its beautiful shore line. The blue colored water is perfect for snorkelling and other water activities. Aside from the white sand beach, there are also a lot of large rock formations and limestone peaks to see.

Bonsai Forest in Loreto

Bonsai Forest can be found at Mt. Redondo in the town of Loreto. It is a distinctive forest where uncommon bonsai plants grow abundantly. It is renowned as the province's major tourism icon.

PBMA Shrine

Philippine Benevolent  Missionaries Association (PBMA) Shrine, also known as the holy land. Dinagat Islands is the home of the organization and the town of San Jose serves as its center. PBMA is a SEC registered, legitimate, non-sectarian, non-profit, , humanitarian and a brotherhood organization founded by its divine master Ruben Edleo, Sr. in 1965. Majority of the people in Dinagat are members of the said roganization and the shrine is where Ruben Ecleo, Sr’s body rest. To those who want to go inside the shrine, just first ask permission.

Kisses Islets

Kisses Islet located in Libjo has tiny charming limestone formations in the middle of the sea. 

Lalaking Bukid - Rock Formation

Lalaking bukid" wich means "Mens mountain". The locals name it like that because when you look at the shape, its like a men who is laying on his back. It is located in Basilisa of the said province. 

Dinagat Islands is the 81st and the newest created province of the Philippines. It is located on the southern side of Leyte Gulf. It is bounded on the east by the Philippine Sea, on the south by Gaboc Channel and Nonoc Island; and on the west by Surigao Strait. Its main island, Dinagat, is about 60 km from north to south. The highest points of the province are Mt. Kambinliw and Mt. Redondo, found in the northern and southern part of the municipality of Loreto.

The province of Dinagat is composed of 7 municipalities with Loreto as the largest municipality and Dinagat as the smallest municipality in terms of land area. San Jose is the capital of the province and is where the headquarters of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, Inc. (PBMA) is located. PBMA is a non-sectarian organization bounded by a strong spirit of brotherhood which was founded by Ruben Edera Ecleo Sr. in 1965. 

Dinagat Islands was once a part of the First District of the province of Surigao del Norte. But with the approval of Republic Act 9355, otherwise known as the Charter of the Province of Dinagat Islands, it became an independent province on December 2, 2006. On February 11, 2010, the Supreme Court of the Philippines declared the creation of Dinagat Islands Province null and void on grounds of failure to meet the land area and population requirements for the creation of local government units. The province then reverted to Surigao del Norte. However last March 30, 2011, the Supreme Court amended its previous ruling and upheld the constitutionality of RA 9355 and the creation of the province of Dinagat Islands. 

The climate of the province is characterized by no pronounced dry season but with a very pronounced maximum rainfall period from November to January. Cebuano, Surigaonon, Boholano, Tagalog and Waray are the major dialects spoken in the province. 

Dinagat Islands is rich in metallic and non-metallic mineral resources. These include chromite which is most abundant in the municipality of Loreto, aluminous laterite ore and nickeliferous laterite. Other minerals such as rock phosphate, limestone, siliceous and gold deposits are also scattered in small amounts across the island. 

The province is also blessed with natural wonders which are popular among tourists who visit the province. The Mt. Redondo Natural Bonsai Forest covers an estimated area of more than 100 hectares of century-old “Bonsai” forest. The Ouano Lagoon is ideal for swimming with its deep-bluish and clear water. Other places of interest in the province are the surf site of Campijagit Point, the Blue Lagoon at Libjo, Lake Bababu at Basilisa and the Bitaug and Sundayo Beaches.