Brief History of Mainit, Surigao del Norte, Philippines

About Surigao

Mainit

History of Mainit

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Up to the present, the history of Mainit is still hardly reconstructed. Except for a few records of the Catholic Church that did missionary works in Mainit and some scanty references of anthropological studies conducted on the peopling and people of the Philippines by foreign authors, few have been said about the history of Mainit.

PACKET PROFILE

AREA: 9,985.70 hectares
Population: 8,129 (as of 1995)
No. of Barangays: 12

GEOGRAPHY

The municipality of Alegria lies on the Eastern side of Siargao Island. The largest island of the province of Surigao del Norte, it is bounded in the East by the Pacific Ocean, approximately 200 nautical miles from the famous Philippine Deep. On the Southeastern side is the Municipality of General Luna, on the Southern portion is the Municipality of Dapa, on the Western portion is the Municipality of Del Carmen and finally on the Northern side is the Municipality of San Isidro.

It is composed of fifteen (15) barangays, eleven (11) of which are classified as rural – Caridad, Datu, Jaboy, Maasin, Mabini, Dayaohay, Consolacion, Katipunan, Salvacion and San Roque and classified as urban barangays are Punta, Asinan, Centro and Pilaring.

Pilar has a total registered voters of 4,500 as of last election from the total population of 8,129 (1995 NCSO data) and a total land area of 9,985.70 hectares (NCSO data). It is characterized by rugged and mountainous terrain, with the poblacion barangays relatively flat. Further down the long narrow water passage is a vast mangrove swamp and marshland and the others permanently wet areas.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

SITE ATTRACTIONS

MAGPUPUNGKO BEACH AND ROCK FORMATION

Located just 2 kilometers from the poblacion area, this beach has always been a symbol of majesty of the seas which carved out this rock formation. The area has fine emerald glittering seas perfect for swimming, sun-bathing, snorkeling and other recreational activities.

TAGBAYANGA ISLET

LUKOD BEACH

TAGLUNGNAN BEACH

DATU WATER FALLS

LAMBOG WATER FALLS

MANGROVE FOREST

A ten-hectare mangrove forest located in Barangay Poblacion.

SAN FLOWER LAKE

Located in Barangay Jaboy, this lake is another attraction in this municipality that is slowly gaining the attention of tourists.

SUPPORT SERVICES

TRANSPORTATION

The town is accessible by passenger vehicles whether jeepneys or motorcycles. Whether from the north or west-southwest, several towns and barangays can be passed when getting to the town of Pilar. One has a choice of which vehicle to take, there are jeepneys and the local motorcycle called the “habal-habal” that can transport individuals to any part of the island.

The town has a wharf which is also utilized as a fish landing since marine transportation in the area is very risky considering the rough waves. There are no other transportation facilities available in the area except for land transport vehicles that will take passengers to nearby Dapa.

MEDICAL AND HEALTH FACILITIES

The town has one main Health Center located at the Poblacion that offers general consultation and preventive measures. It also has Rural Health Units that offers pre and post natal care, family planning, nutrition program and immunizations, among others, and serving 6 nearby barangays and 4 Barangay Health Stations. These are manned by 1 Health Officer, 1 public nurse, 3 rural health midwives and 1 rural sanitary inspector.

COMMUNICATION SERVICES

A public calling station, Philcom, serves the public from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily. This telecommunication office can receive and contact both international and domestic calls. The existing SMART cell site also provides telecommunication access to the residents of the town.

BANK SERVICES

The Green Bank of Caraga located at Barangay Poblacion along the national highway is open to serve its clients from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM from Monday to Friday.

CHURCH SERVICES

Churches of all religious sects can be found in the town to cater to the residents’ spiritual needs. The population is predominantly Roman Catholic. Other religious groups existing are Iglesia Ni Kristo, Philippine Independent Church, Assembly of God. United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Baptist Chuch, Jehovah’s Witness, and the Seventh Day Adventist.

POST OFFICE