Name and Identity
Name and Identity
- Official seal of the Municipality of Casiguran
- Sun with 24 rays-represent the 24 brgys. Of the municipality of Casiguran
- Ermita Hill-the hisporical and culture Landmark of Casiguran
- Rice Land-one of the major occupations of Casiguran (Rice Farming).
- Beautiful Beaches-the main attraction of Casiguran (potential tourism)
- Coconuts-one of the major products of Casiguran (coconut plantation)
- Fishing Boat-one of the major sources of livelihood of Casiguran (fishing industry)
- Signifies the year the municipality of Casiguran was founded, the 13th day of June.
Casiguran is located in the northern part of the Aurora Province of approximately 120 kms.in the distance from the capital town of Baler.
It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Dilasag; on the east by the Pacific Ocean on the south by the town of Dinalungan and on the west by Quirino Province. The town is just two kms. Away from the sea and its elevation is about 200 ft. above the sea level. It is located at 125 deg. 0’ longitude and 16 deg. 6’30” latitude.
The town gets its name from the native word “KASIGURUHAN” which means safety. The early inhabitants settled in the place because it has a fine bay in good port of anchorage. During stormy weather sailing vessels sought sanctuary at Casiguran Sound.
Casiguran was founded in 1609 when group Franciscan friars headed Fr. Blas Palomino establish a mission. This place was the last frontier in the evangelization of the natives along the Sierra Madre Mountains; the mission under ecclesiastical administration of the Bishopric of the Nueva Caceres which was based in Camarines Province.
These Franciscan friars worked hard in the Christianization of the natives. They labored hard in converting the savage Cimarrones for north and west of the mission but due to danger and worse terrain, the evangelist returned to their base at Casiguran. Notable among these missionaries were Fray Pedro de la Conception and Fray Joseph Fonte.
In 1658 the Franciscan abandoned the mission and the Augustinian Recollect Father’s took over and ran the place until 1703 when the Franciscan friars returned and, again, administered the mission.
Casiguran became a component of Nueva Ecija province when, in 1818, the limits of the province was extended towards the Pacific. In 1856 the town, together with Baler, and Palanan was organized into a separate military district called “El Distrito del Principe” governed by a Comandante Politico-Militar, but still a dependency of the province of Nueva Ecija. On June 12, 1902, the boundary of the Province of Tayabas was extended farther north, annexing the district of “El Principe” and Casiguran became a part of the extended province. With the passage of Republic Act 648 on June 14, 1951, the town became a component of the newly created sub-province of Aurora.
The first inhabitants of the place were the Negritoes whom the Spaniards called Cimarrones. These aborigines practiced head hunting until the end of the Second World War.
Most of their victims were travelers from Palanan to Casiguran or vice-versa and Christian homesteaders. These savages were master in the use of spears and arrows. The early settlers of the place were mostly farmers, fishermen gatherers of honey-bees and hunters. These pioneers went as a far as Nueva Vizcaya by hiking to buy their household necessities through barter system; likewise traders from Baler, Infanta and Palanan came to Casiguran to exchange their commodities with the palay and other products of the place.
Just like the other coastal towns bordering the great Pacific Ocean, Casiguran suffered Moro depredations up to the end of the Spanish rule. In 1798 a Muslim fleet of some twenty-five boats harassed the town of Casiguran, Palanan, Isabela and Baler took 450 captives. Because of this peril, the natives of Casiguran built a watchtower at Sitio Dipalale overlooking the bay.
When the Moro vintas enter Casiguran Sound, the guards at the watchtower give warning of the incoming danger by creating smoke. The church bells immediately ring signaling the people to take cover at Ermita Hill. This hill serves as the fortification against the invasion. Stockpile of logs and stones are readied at the summit so that when the Moro raiders attempt to come up, the people just roll down the logs and stones forcing these Moros to retreat.
It was at Casiguran bay that the American ship, Vicksburg secretly landed Colonel Frederick Funston and his men on their mission to capture General Emilio Aguinaldo at Palanan, Isabela. The American commander, aided by the renegade Filipino Officials of Aguinaldo and a few Macabebes marched through the town of Casiguran. The town folks, believing that the Americans were prisoners of our insurgents, welcomed the traitor Filipinos and gave them food. The municipal vice-president of Casiguran, a man loyal to Aguinaldo and who was unaware of the conspiracy, sent couriers to Aguinaldo, handling the General forged messenger from his supposed “loyal” officers. Thus Funston was able to penetrate Aguinaldo’s defenses and surprised the General at Palanan.
Originally the town of Casiguran includes the municipalities of Dilasag and Dinalungan. Today, the town has a total land area of 90,647 hectares; of this 25,333 hectares are devoted to agriculture and the remainders are forest lands which are rich in timber, minerals and other forests products. Based on 1980 Census, the municipality has a total population of 13,925 inhabitants scattered in 24 barangays. Casiguran dialect is commonly used by the people but could speak Tagalog fluently. However there are also several Ilocanos and Bicolanos who settled and occupied some parts of the municipality and spoke their own dialects.
Casiguran has the potentialities of a progressive town. It is rich in natural resources and possesses a very fine harbor. What are needed are roads that will link the place with the other municipalities in the surrounding areas in order to maximize economic activities.
Source: The National Historical Institute.
Description of the Municipality
Endowed with pristine and clean beautiful beaches along with amazing coral cover which is an ideal for wind surfing, scuba diving and to consider the are people so hospitable. Casiguran offering a treat of modernization will greet visitors eye before and a wait naturalist this haven of flora and fauna.
Casiguran is one of the two original town of Aurora Province now comprising eight municipalities. Casiguran was founded by Spanish missionaries in June 13, 1609. Dumagats/Aetas were the early settlers of this place follow by migrants from other places of the country. These migrants speak different dialects such as Ilokano, Visayan, Bicol, Pampango, Gaddang, Itawis, Ibanag, Tagalog, etc. Thus, Casiguran languages evolve out of these dialects.
The word CASIGURAN according to a folk legend got its name from the word “KASIGURUHAN” which colloquially means “safety” or “assurance”. Safety means defense/fortress or sanctuary for sailing ships during stormy weather. On the other hand assurance means that if an unmarried stranger comes to this place, he unavoidably falls in love with someone and eventually gets married.
Philippines became independent on July 4, 1946. Aurora was still part of Tayabas province (now Quezon Province) and Casiguran was a lone northern town. Its political jurisdiction is bounded on the north by the province of Isabela, on the west by Quirino province, and on the south west by Barangay Dinadiawan which was then the boundary between Baler and Casiguran
Casiguran lies in the north eastern part of Aurora Province some 353 kilometers from Manila or 120 kilometers from the capital town of Baler. It is bounded on the east by Pacific Ocean, on the north by the municipality of Dilasag, on the south by the municipality of Dinalungan and on the west of Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges.
Municipality of Casiguran consists of twenty four (24) barangays with the total population 27,577. Its total land area is 71,543 hectares, the greater area of which is forest where a variety of tropical trees and other forest products abound. With the vast Pacific Ocean and calm waters of Casiguran Sound, fishing has become one of the major sources of livelihood of the Casiguranins as well as people from the other municipalities of Aurora and neighboring province.
Casiguran could be reached more or less four hours by bus and three hours by private van that ply and traverse the winding roads of Sierra Madre Mountain Range. Travelling to Casiguran would be quite an experience to new comers, with a panoramic view of the forests and the clean horizons of the Pacific Ocean.
POLITICAL SUBDIVISION
Political Subdivision and Land Area
This chapter presents a short statistical compendium of the demographic and economic profile of the municipality as well as its physical features as of the year-end 2016. The primary data and secondary data presented were gathered by the barangay service point officers, and by various municipal offices respectively.
The municipality of Casiguran is composed of twenty four (24) barangays with a total land area of 71,543 hectares. Eight (8) of these barangays constitute the Poblacion with a combined area of 173.36 hectares. In terms of area by barangay, Tabas has the largest area coverage with around 15,598.38 hectares representing 21.8% of the municipality’s total land area.
Other large barangays are Ditinagyan with 9,825.08 hectares, Cozo with 8,352 hectares, and Tinib with 7,412.52 hectares.
BARANGAY AND SITIO’S:
Casiguran comprises of twenty four (24) barangays as stated below with its corresponding sitio’s or purok as follows:
Demography
Population Size and Growth Rate:
In the 1609, the recorded population of Casiguran was 6,900 persons. This was almost doubled in 1970 censual year where the population was recorded as 12,128, an increase of about 76% or .8% annual average rate of population change. Young population with range 20 years old and below accounted for 6,479 persons or 29.9% of the municipality’s population. While age range 21 to 64 years old accounted for individuals 14,585 or 65.5% and remaining 4.6% were old [population 65 years old and above.
In terms of population distribution by barangay by this time, Brgy. Bianoan had the biggest number of population of 3,960 or 16% of the entire population of the municipality. The lowest population was found in Barangay 03 with 257 individuals. As of 2016 CBMS census, Casiguran has a total population of 27,577.
Historical Population Growth Rate
Source: Local Government Unit 2016
Sex and Population Distribution and Number of Households
Casiguran had a total household population of 6,200. For urban areas, Barangay 03 had the least number of households with 64 numbers of households. It is followed by Barangay 04, also an urban barangay with 68 households. Barangay 01 has the highest number of households with 192 followed Barangay 02 with 168 households.
For rural barangays, Barangay Ditinagyan had the least number of households with 131, followed by Barangay Calabgan with 140 households. Barangay Bianoan has the highest number of households with 904 followed by Barangay Dibacong with 551 numbers of households.
Population Distribution by Barangay
Population Density by Barangay
The table below was computed based on the total municipal land viz-a-viz the total municipal population. However, if we are going to get the net or effective density of the municipality using the total alienable and disposable area against the total population, the municipality’s density is placed at .83 per hectare.
POPULATION DENSITY BY BARANGAY
POPULATION DENSITY, 2016
Labor Force and Dependency Ratio
CBMS gathered data shows demographic information that can be used to determine current needs and in the projection of population to establish future demands.
Dependency ratio will provide information as to the number of population gainfully employed, number of individuals that are not employed and proportion of population that is dependency on those who are economically active. The table below will graphically illustrate the municipality’s dependency ratio.
Employment by sex, by Barangay
Unemployment by sex, by Barangay
Indigenous Peoples Population
The Municipality of Casiguran is host to indigenous communities of Agtas, Dumagats and Igorots. These IPs can be found in barangays Calabgan, Cozo, San Ildefonso and Tinib. There are two civil reservations for the Agtas in the municipality which are located in Barangay Calabgan with an area of 152.6 hectares while the one in Barangay Culat is 69 hectares, the total of which is 221 hectares. Based on the last count of the NCIP, the total number of families of Dumagat ranges to 315 while the Igorots has a total number of 111 families. Further, based on secondary gathered, there is a concentration of one in Barangay Calantas, while a larger number of Dumagats are found in Barangay Calabgan.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE (IP’S) CENSUS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CASIGURAN, AURORA
Source: NCIP 2016
In January to May 1998, the NCIP prepared Map indicating the ancestral domain claims by the IP’s in the DICADI area. The area claimed by the IP’s is estimated to cover 91,872 has. Or 72% of the total land area of the three (3) municipalities of DICADI (Dinalungan, Casiguran and Dilasag).
These indigenous communities have immersed themselves with the general population were a peaceful co-existence is prevailing – where respect for customs and traditions between the IPs and the barangays population is observed.
People Ethnic Group:
The Agtas or Dumagats are the aborigine of the place. They are short and dark-skinned with kinky hairs. They are nomadic and carefree with no permanent occupations.
In 1930’s the government establish schools for them where they can acquire elementary education, but they have no interest in the learning. Majority of these cultural minorities group still refuse to change their way of life.
Physical Characteristic
LOCATION:
The municipality of Casiguran is located at the northern part of Aurora Province, about 120kms. From Baler (capital town of Aurora Province). It lies between 26 deg. 01’39’ and 122 deg. 14’14” east longitudes. It is bounded on the northeast by the Municipality of Dilasag, and southeast by the municipality of Dinalungan, on the northwest by Quirino Province and southeast by the Pacific Ocean.
GEOGRAPHY:
The town’s land is composed of hills and plains bounded on the northeast by the Municipality of Dilasag, on the northwest by Southwest by Dinalungan, on the northwest by Quirino Province and southeast by Pacific Ocean. It can be reached by a nine-hour drive, passing through scenic banca winding roads of the Sierra Madre mountain range or an adventure sea ride by a motorized banca.
Situated 121 kilometer north of Baler (capital town of Aurora). Its strategic location, availability of transportation facilities and various services are the main attributes for being the center in DICADI area. Most of the regional offices of the national government agencies are situated in the town.
Topography/Elevation:
The topography of Casiguran is characterized by a rugged terrain. The Sierra Madre Mountain range runs entire length of the municipality’s is the source of rivers, streams and mountain springs that drain towards Casiguran bay and Casiguran Sound. The major rivers and creeks found in the municipality include Amro, Calabgan, Gumaninang, Sitio Dimades of Brgy. Dibet, Cozo, So. Minanga, So. Disugon, So. Dimasingan, So. Cabuleg, So. Dimalang, So. Casalogan, So. Casapsapan, So. Dipasaleng, So. Dyos, So. Diaga, So. Pugo, So. Montay, So. Pulang Lupa, So. Sambay and Ditinagyan. These rivers are characterized by steep gradients in the upper reachers and very gentle slopes on their downstream sections.
The lowland areas, which are characterized alluvial plains, are found along the coastal of the Casiguran Bay. On the eastern coast its strip peninsular landform known as “Cape San Ildefonso”. This cape shields the settlement areas of the municipality from on slaught of the passing typhoons.
The elevation of Casiguran ranges from 2 to 1,670 meters above sea level with the highest peak located on its mid-western portion which is near its boundary with Quirino Province. The general slopes of Casiguran ranges from 0-3 % described as level to above 50 % or very steep. Flat areas (0-3 percent). Which are generally used for agriculture and settlements consist of 7,517.05 has. Or 10.5 percent. Areas below 18 percent which are classified alienable and disposable lands cover 24,110.43 has or 33.7 percent of the municipality total land areas are classified forestland.
SOILS:
The municipality of Casiguran is divided into four (4) major physiographic units, namely: soil of the lowland, soil of the upland, soils of the hills and soils of the mountains.
Lowland Soils:
Lowland soils are considered young and formed of fluvio-marine sediments and alluvial materials. These are sub-categorized into coastal and alluvial landscapes. Coastal landscape is composed of active tidal flats (natural mangroves and nipa) and beach ridges and swales. On the other hand, alluvial landscape is composed of swamps of mixed tree and grass type marshes, river terraces, broad alluvial plains and colluvium fans.
Broad alluvial plains are generally poorly drained, presently grown rice and coconuts. Most settlements are found in these areas and in most situations, where economic growth is evident, are the first areas subjected to land use conversion to non-agricultural uses. These areas have soils with fine loamy to clayey textures, moderately deep to very deep, no apparently erosion and with slough to moderate flooding.
Colluvial fans are moderately to well drain areas, consisting of soils that are fine loamy, shallow to very deep. Some of these areas have no apparent erosion while other have slight to moderate erosion particularly along rivers and creeks.
Upland Soils:
Upland soils are found in areas characterized as slightly to moderately dissected low volcanic hills with complex smooth and sharp ridges undulating to rolling slopes; severely dissected high volcanic hills with complex smooth and sharp slopes and the severely dissected high metamorphic hills with farming activities resulting to soil degradation and rapid loss in soil fertility.
Mountain Soils:
Mountain soils are found in land forms characterized by moderately dissected diuretic mountains with steep slopes; the severely dissected metamorphic mountains, steep slopes. Due to the steepness, landslides commonly occur in these areas particularly in the less vegetated mountains. The miscellaneous land types which include built-up area, beach sand and river was have the same soil types as that with the lowland soils particularly the broad alluvial plains.
Climate
Casiguran, like the other municipalities of Aurora Province, is situated in an area where a type IV climate of Corona’s Classification System exist. This classification system is empirical based on temporal distribution of rainfall derived from northeast monsoon (November to February) and the southwest monsoon (July to September). This is the reason why rainfall is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year.
The high and extremely rainfall events are most likely to occur in the period from October, November and December (485.7) mm. 570.9 mm. and 434.1mm.) When conditions in the Western Pacific are more conducive to the formation of tropical depressions, storms and typhoons and the normal tract of typhoon is across Luzon. A Direct hit” in Aurora can lead to a very heavy rainfall intensities, one example was rainfall amounting to 401.1 mm on 13 March 1971.
The presence of La Niňa condition is apparently conducive to the formation of tropical storms and typhoons in Western Pacific Region which may then tract westward and north westward in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and may not affect Aurora Province. It certainly appears that during La Niňa condition, there is an increased of a high rainfall event during the month of October. In addition, appears a slightly increased risk of an “out of season” event-during the month of March (analysis of Historic Rainfall in Aurora province).
DISTRIBUTION OF ELEVATION CLASSES
Temperature and Relative Humidity:
The recorded annual average maximum, minimum and mean temperatures in the municipality of Casiguran were 31.1℃. 21.5 and 26.3 ℃, respectively.
At sea level, the municipality has an atmospheric temperature of 26.5℃, while the temperature lapse rate is close to 0.5℃ per 100 meter increased in elevation. Thus, at the highest point of the municipality, which is 1,621 meters, the temperature is about 18 ℃. The relative humidity ranges from a maximum of 89 percent to a maximum of 86 percent with an annual mean of 87.5 percent.
Wind and Tropical Cyclones:
The normal wind speed in Aurora is low, and around 2 meters per second through the year. In Casiguran, the wind direction is northerly during the month of January to April and again during the months of October and December, southerly during the months of May and September.
A very high wind speed in Aurora is caused by the exposure of the coast of tropical cyclones. The highest recorded wind gustiness in Casiguran was 75 meters per second (270kph) on 03 September 1986. However, due to sub-optimal locations of weather stations, it is undoubtedly that actual gust speeds exceed these values in more exposed locations in the province.
