This Week’s Milestones: April 8-14, 2018
April 12, 2011
The Supreme Court reversed its previous decision and ruled that the islands of Dinagat are a legitimate province.
Dinagat Islands became a province by virtue of Republic Act No. 9355 in 2006. But officials of Surigao del Norte province argued that Dinagat’s Charter was unconstitutional because Dinagat had failed to pass the prescribed 2,000-square-kilometer land area that is necessary for the creation of a new province.
The high court, voting 9-5, said in its ruling that the Local Government Code does not assert land area as an indicator of viability of a new barangay, town or city when it involves more than one island.
The province is composed of seven municipalities, with San Jose as its capital. It has a land area of 79,971 hectares, or 800 square kilometers.
Article continues after this advertisementApril 14, 1898
Article continues after this advertisementLocal members of the Katipunan, led by Ildefonso Moreno, rose in arms against Spanish authorities in Daet, Camarines Norte province.
The uprising would later be known as the Daet Revolt.
The rebels successfully occupied Daet and cornered the Spaniards in the house of Florencio Arana, a Spanish merchant and Daet resident.
But the colonizers regained control of the town and over 500 locals were then martyred. A monument was erected in 1996 in honor of the Katipuneros who fought in the Daet Revolt.
Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research
