Dalaguete

Not to be confused with Dumaguete.

Dalaguete, officially the Municipality of Dalaguete (Cebuano: Lungsod sa Dalaguete; Tagalog: Bayan ng Dalaguete), is a municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 74,596 people.^[3]

Dalaguete
Municipality
Municipality of Dalaguete
St. William of Aquitaine Church
Seal
Map of Cebu with Dalaguete highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Dalaguete Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 9°45′40″N 123°32′06″E
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Visayas
Province	Cebu
District	2nd district
Founded	1711
Barangays	33 (see Barangays)
Government  [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Ronald Allan G. Cesante (PDPLBN)
• Vice Mayor	William O. Lagahid (PDPLBN)
• Representative	Edsel A. Galeos
• Municipal Council	Members Coca Nicohl B. Osorio Royce Nikko J. Cesante Ernesto M. Tangpos Jeffrey B. Belciña Kevin V. Belandres Lowell O. Amaya Felix G. Villacorta Hilarion S. Belciña Jr.
• Electorate	48,912 voters (2025)
Area [2]
• Total	154.96 km2 (59.83 sq mi)
Elevation	84 m (276 ft)
Highest elevation	608 m (1,995 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census)[3]
• Total	74,596
• Density	480/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
• Households	17,201
Economy
• Income class	1st municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	45.03 % (2021)[4]
• Revenue	₱ 335.1 million (2022)
• Assets	₱ 958.9 million (2022)
• Expenditure	₱ 220.4 million (2022)
• Liabilities	₱ 212.6 million (2022)
Service provider
• Electricity	Cebu 1 Electric Cooperative (CEBECO 1)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	6022
PSGC	072222000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)32
Native languages	Cebuano Tagalog
Website	dalaguete.gov.ph

History

The dalakit (Ficus benjamina) tree is the foundation of the origin and name of Dalaguete.

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.^[5]

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 as 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.^[5]

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 dalakit 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 phrases were common among locals of centuries past 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.^[5]

Geography

Osmeña peak in Brgy. Patong, Badian

Located 84 kilometers (52 mi) south of Cebu City, Dalaguete is bordered to the north by the town of Argao, to the west are the towns of Badian and Alegria, to the east is the Cebu Strait, and to the south is the town of Alcoy.

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

Climate data for Dalaguete, Cebu
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	29 (84)	29 (84)	30 (86)	32 (90)	31 (88)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	30 (86)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	23 (73)	23 (73)	23 (73)	24 (75)	25 (77)	25 (77)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	24 (75)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	35 (1.4)	28 (1.1)	38 (1.5)	51 (2.0)	125 (4.9)	195 (7.7)	194 (7.6)	173 (6.8)	180 (7.1)	192 (7.6)	121 (4.8)	64 (2.5)	1,396 (55)
Average rainy days	9.2	8.2	9.9	11.3	22.5	27.3	28.0	27.2	27.1	26.9	19.7	12.7	230
Source: Meteoblue (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally) [6]

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 town proper

Dalaguete is politically subdivided into 33 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

PSGC	Barangay	Population			±% p.a.		Area		PD 2020
		2020[3]		2010[7]			ha	acre	/km2	/sq mi
072222001	Ablayan	1.8%	1,318	1,146	▴	1.41%	450	1,112	290	760
072222002	Babayongan	0.7%	493	458	▴	0.74%	386	954	130	330
072222003	Balud	4.9%	3,673	3,044	▴	1.90%	128	316	2,900	7,400
072222004	Banhigan	1.7%	1,269	1,240	▴	0.23%	121	299	1,000	2,700
072222005	Bulak	1.3%	988	893	▴	1.02%	460	1,137	210	560
072222007	Caleriohan	3.4%	2,557	1,861	▴	3.23%	353	872	720	1,900
072222006	Caliongan	3.6%	2,649	2,298	▴	1.43%	889	2,197	300	770
072222008	Casay	6.3%	4,681	4,103	▴	1.33%	353	872	1,300	3,400
072222009	Catolohan	3.3%	2,464	1,587	▴	4.50%	945	2,335	260	680
072222010	Cawayan	4.0%	2,957	2,599	▴	1.30%	297	734	1,000	2,600
072222011	Consolacion	2.8%	2,120	1,561	▴	3.11%	194	479	1,100	2,800
072222012	Coro	1.8%	1,320	1,019	▴	2.62%	264	652	500	1,300
072222013	Dugyan	1.4%	1,055	1,094	▾	−0.36%	308	761	340	890
072222014	Dumalan	2.7%	2,002	1,664	▴	1.87%	891	2,202	220	580
072222015	Jolomaynon	2.2%	1,629	1,458	▴	1.11%	469	1,159	350	900
072222016	Lanao	1.6%	1,219	1,094	▴	1.09%	575	1,421	210	550
072222017	Langkas	2.0%	1,480	1,191	▴	2.20%	326	806	450	1,200
072222018	Lumbang	1.2%	863	791	▴	0.87%	110	272	780	2,000
072222019	Malones	1.7%	1,253	1,145	▴	0.91%	237	586	530	1,400
072222020	Maloray	1.3%	1,007	918	▴	0.93%	433	1,070	230	600
072222021	Mananggal	1.3%	983	1,025	▾	−0.42%	166	410	590	1,500
072222023	Manlapay	2.6%	1,956	2,095	▾	−0.68%	526	1,300	370	960
072222024	Mantalongon	9.7%	7,237	5,238	▴	3.28%	917	2,266	790	2,000
072222025	Nalhub	2.7%	1,980	1,797	▴	0.97%	703	1,737	280	730
072222026	Obo	2.2%	1,609	1,651	▾	−0.26%	483	1,194	330	860
072222027	Obong	4.3%	3,212	3,277	▾	−0.20%	940	2,323	340	890
072222028	Panas	1.3%	938	727	▴	2.58%	357	882	260	680
072222029	Poblacion	9.0%	6,695	5,893	▴	1.28%	144	356	4,600	12,000
072222030	Sacsac	2.7%	1,995	1,509	▴	2.83%	597	1,475	330	870
072222033	Salug	1.8%	1,323	1,003	▴	2.81%	372	919	360	920
072222034	Tabon	4.6%	3,436	3,056	▴	1.18%	510	1,260	670	1,700
072222031	Tapun	6.4%	4,738	3,577	▴	2.85%	202	499	2,300	6,100
072222032	Tuba	2.0%	1,497	1,227	▴	2.01%	940	2,323	160	410
	Total		74,596	63,239	▴	1.67%	15,496	38,291	480	14

Demographics

Population census of Dalaguete

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	21,354	—
1918	26,904	+1.55%
1939	27,284	+0.07%
1948	29,333	+0.81%
1960	28,487	−0.24%
1970	31,834	+1.12%
1975	33,964	+1.31%
1980	37,076	+1.77%
1990	45,545	+2.08%
1995	48,778	+1.29%
2000	57,331	+3.52%
2007	61,405	+0.95%
2010	63,239	+1.08%
2015	67,497	+1.25%
2020	74,596	+1.99%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[8][7][9][10]

Religions

Roman Catholic Parishes	Protestant Churches	Independent (Non-Sectarian)
S. Guillermo de Aquitania, founded 1711 (Poblacion)	Faith Tabernacle Church (Poblacion)	Jehovah's Witnesses (Poblacion) [11]
S. Isidro Labrador, founded 1958 (Mantalongon)	Assembly of God (Poblacion)
Santa Monica, founded 1952 (Cawayan)	Evangelical Free Church (Poblacion)
Our Lady of Consolation, founded 2012 (Manlapay)	Christ to the Philippines - Rock Group (Solong-on, Tapon)

^[12]

Economy

Poverty incidence of Dalaguete

10 20 30 40 50 60 2000 56.21 2003 32.68 2006 54.20 2009 55.64 2012 42.32 2015 33.58 2018 25.20 2021 45.03 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]

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

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".

Education

The public schools in the town of Dalaguete are administered by two school districts under the Schools Division of Cebu Province.

Elementary schools:

• Ablayan Elementary School — Ablayan
• Amonsao Elementary School — Sitio Amonsao, Catolohan
• Babayongan Elementary School — Babayongan
• Balud Elementary School — Balud
• Banhigan Elementary School — Banhigan
• Bulak Elementary School — Bulak
• Caleriohan Elementary School — Caleriohan
• Caliongan Elementary School — Caliongan
• Cancabalong Elementary School — Sitio Cancabalong, Obo
• Canlawilao Elementary School — Sitio Canlawilao, Dumalan
• Casay Elementary School — Casay
• Catambisan Elementary School — Sitio Catambisan, Mantalongon
• Catolohan Elementary School — Catolohan
• Cawayan Central Elementary School — Cawayan
• Consolacion Elementary School — Consolacion
• Coro Elementary School — Coro
• Dalaguete Central Elementary School — Osmeña Avenue, Poblacion
• Dugyan Elementary School — Dugyan
• Dumalan Elementary School — Dumalan
• Jolomaynon Elementary School — Jolomaynon
• Karatagan Elementary School — Sitio Karatagan, Caliongan
• Lanao Elementary School — Lanao
• Langkas Elementary School — Langkas
• Libo Primary School — Sitio Libo, Catolohan
• Lugsangan Elementary School — Sitio Lugsangan, Tabon
• Lumbang Elementary School — Lumbang
• Malones Elementary School — Malones
• Maloray Elementary School — Maloray
• Manangal Elementary School — Mananggal
• Manlapay Elementary School — Manlapay
• Mantalongon Elementary School — Mantalongon
• Nalhub Elementary School — Nalhub
• Obo Elementary School — Obo
• Obong Elementary School — Obong
• Panaguikan Elementary School — Sitio Panaguikan, Tapon
• Panas Elementary School — Panas
• Sacsac Elementary School — Sacsac
• Salug Elementary School — Salug
• Sampig Elementary School — Sitio Sampig, Mantalongon
• Tabon Elementary School — Tabon
• Tuba Elementary School — Sitio Amonsao, Catolohan
• Tubod Elementary School — Sitio Tubod, Obong

High schools:

• Caleriohan National High School — Caleriohan
• Caliongan National High School — Caliongan
• Casay National High School — Casay
• Cawayan National High School — Cawayan
• Dalaguete National High School — Poblacion
• Dumalan National High School — Dumalan
• Manlapay National High School — Manlapay
• Mantalongon National High School — Mantalongon

College/University

• University of the Visayas - Dalaguete Campus — Pedro Calungsod Street, Poblacion