Dinagat Island, undiscovered paradise

By: Nathaniel Silvano

Dinagat Island was declared as a province of Mindanao in December 2, 2006 after the approval of Republic Act No. 9355, the Charter of the Province of Dinagat Islands, in a plebiscite.

But the declaration was retracted because of the decision of the Supreme Court on February 11, 2010, saying that the declaration of Dinagat Island as a province was null and void due to the insufficient land area and population as stipulated by the Local Government Code for the creation of provinces.

Dinagat Island was returned to Surigao Del Norte.

Dinagat Island is one hour by motorboat from Surigao City. It is an undiscovered paradise.

It has many unexplored sites for divers and spelunkers which is very distinctive from other sites.

Dinagat, though not so popular spot in the Philippines, has a historical background. During World War II , US Gen. Douglas MacArthur was quoted as saying that Dinagat was one of "three island-sentinels guarding the (southern) Philippines from the enemies in the Pacific."

It also has beautiful islets just waiting for the tourist to visit. Two of its islets are Unib Islet and Hagakhak Islet.

Unib Islet is an islet just ten minutes by pump boat from Basilisa. It has the unspoiled Bitaug beach with almost crystal clear water. It is surrounded by so far mostly undestroyed coral reefs in between interesting underwater rock formations.

It also has several unexplored caves, just the other caves, used as shelter by many bats.

Hagakhak Islet is an islet with one of a kind above-water and underwater rock formations.It also has unexplored dive sites for those who love diving.

Magsaysay Group of Islets, which consist of wonderful islets and Suy-ang Cave can also be found here and waiting for the tourist to explore.

Dinagat Island has almost no infrastructure but since it has a great quality to be called as a tourist spot, many investors will surely invest after they find out the virgin glamour of the island.