Casiguran, Aurora

Casiguran is a 3rd class municipality in the northern part of the province of Aurora, Philippines. It is located 121 km from Baler, the provincial capital. It is bounded on the northeast by Dilasag, on the southwest by Dinalungan, on the northwest by Quirino and southeast by the Pacific Ocean. It coordinates lie between 16°01'39"N and 16°27'53"N latitude and between 121°52'23"E and 122°14'14"E longitudes.

According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 21,459 people in 4,366 households.

Demographics

In 1960, the population of Casiguran was 6,900. This was almost doubled in the 1970 when population was 12,128, an increased of about 76% (5.8% annual average growth rate).Between 1970 and 1975, there was a marked decreased in the number of population from 12,128 to 11,670. This reduction on population is due to deteriorated peace and order situation in the place which forced some of the population to move out of the municipality's jurisdiction. The decreased in the 1975 population was reversed in 1980 which increased by 19% or an annual average growth rate increase of 3.86%. This trend of increasing population continued during the succeeding censal years (1980 to 1995) but declining annual average population growth rates. The declined annual growth rates during these periods is attributed to the gradual and eventual stoppage of logging operations in the area which affected those directly engaged in said activity who were not original residents of the place and decided to leave.Between 1995 and 1999 a significant increase on annual average population growth rate of 4.36% was experienced by the municipality. With this present growth rate, the municipality of Casiguran is expected to have an additional 25% increase in its 2009 projected population level.

History

According to folk legend, the name Casiguran was obtained from the word "Kasiguruhan" which 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 the place, he unavoidably falls in love with someone and eventually gets married and most of the time stayed for good. Casiguran was founded by the Spanish Missionaries on June 13, 1609. But prior to their arrival, the early settlers of the place were the Dumagats/Aetas followed by migrants from other places of the country. These migrants spoke different dialects such as Ilokano, Visayan, Bicolano, Pampango. Gaddang, Itawes and Ibanag. Thus, a "kasiguranin" language evolved out of these dialects. In 1942, the entering by the Japanese Occupation forces landed in the town of Casiguran. In 1945, the liberation in the town of Casiguran from the defenders between the Allied Philippine Commonwealth troops and local guerrilla units against the Japanese forces during the Battle of Casiguran at the end of World War II.When the Philippines became independent in 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. In 1959 and 1966, the barrios of Dilasag and Dinalungan which were part of Casiguran and situated on its northern and southwestern portions, respectively were created municipalities.

A total of 34 local leaders administered the municipality of Casiguran since its establishment as a community and creation as a municipality. At present, the incumbent municipal mayor (34th) is Hon. Reynaldo Teh Bitong.

Barangays

Casiguran is politically subdivided into 24 barangays.

* Barangay 1 (Pob.) * Barangay 2 (Pob.) * Barangay 3 (Pob.) * Barangay 4 (Pob.) * Barangay 5 (Pob.) * Barangay 6 (Pob.) * Barangay 7 (Pob.) * Barangay 8 (Pob.) * Calabgan * Calangcuasan * Calantas * Culat

* Dibet * Esperanza * Lual * Marikit * Tabas * Tinib * Bianuan * Cozo * Dibacong * Ditinagyan * Esteves * San Ildefonso

ee also

*1968 Casiguran earthquake

External links

* [http://www.casiguran-aurora.gov.ph/ Municipality of Casiguran]
* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/default.asp Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [http://www.t-macs.com/kiso/local/ 2000 Philippine Census Information]
* [http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=106950 abs-cbnnews.com/, Three foreign groups want to partner with local govt for Aurora ecozone - 01/26/2008]