Daet, Camarines Norte

Daet
Municipality
Seal
Nickname(s): Gateway to Bicolandia
Motto: Daet on the GO!
Location in the province of Camarines Norte
Daet Location within the Philippines
Coordinates:
Country	Philippines
Region	Bicol (Region V)
Province	Camarines Norte
District	2nd district
Founded	1583
Barangays	25
Government
• Mayor	Tito Sarte Sarion (LP)
• Mayor-elect	Benito Sy Ochoa (NPC)
• Vice Mayor	Noel "Ahlong" Ong (PMP)
• Vice Mayor-elect	Connie Belarma-Sarion (LP)
Area
• Total	46.00 km2 (17.76 sq mi)
Population (2010)
• Total	95,572
• Density	2,100/km2 (5,400/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
Zip Code	4600
Dialing code	54
Website	www.daetonthego.com

Daet is a first class municipality and capital of the province of Camarines Norte in the Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 95,572 people.

The municipality is a popular surfing spot among surfers worldwide. It is also home to the annual Daet International Aerosports Show, first held in 2013.

Etymology

The name Daet was derived from the Bikol word dai-daitan which means, close to each other. Daet also originated from ancient Bicol term daet which, according to the first Bicol Spanish Dictionary Vocabulario dela Lengua Vicol authored by Fray Marcos de Lisboa, would mean "to make friend" or "to be reconciled".

History

In 1571, Juan de Salcedo arrived at the Bicol Region in quest for gold found in Camarines Norte and discovered that Daet was already a thriving settlement and noted that the houses were clustered together for reason of safety and protection. In June 1583, through a Franciscan Order confirmed the founding of Doctrinas including Daet.

Conversion to cityhood

A P30-million government center, a P30-million transport terminal and an improved airport are among the large-scale face-lift projects that Camarines Norte’s capital town plans to embark on as it aggressively vies for cityhood.

The projects, including a new face of the town plaza, were presented by Mayor Tito Sarion in an executive report last month. "The enhancement of the elevated plaza is necessary to decongest the downtown in an attempt to rebuild the center of the commercial district," he said.

Sarion said the United Architects of the Philippines had agreed to design the new plaza through a P3-million grant provided by the party-list group Bayan Muna. A telephone company would build "an attractive landmark" at the fountain area, he said.

The funds for the government center and transport facility will be borrowed from the Land Bank of the Philippines, while the revitalized Bagasbas airport project will be funded by the Air Transportation Office (ATO).

Sarion said the proposed government center would make transactions with provincial and national government agencies more convenient while the new legislative hall would "create a breathing space and a better working environment at the municipal hall, where offices are crowded."

But problems arose to the municipality's conversion to cityhood because it can't meet the standard land area.

Geography

Barangays

Daet is politically subdivided into 25 barangays.

• Alawihao
• Awitan
• Bagasbas
• Barangay I (Ilaod)
• Brgy II (Pasig)
• Brgy III (Iraya)
• Brgy IV (Mantagbac)
• Brgy V (Pandan)
• Brgy VI (Centro)
• Brgy VII (Diego Liñan)
• Brgy VIII (Salcedo)
• Bibirao
• Borabod
• Calasgasan
• Camambugan
• Cobangbang
• Dogongan
• Gahonon
• Gubat (3 Districts – Moreno, Gubat, & Mandulongan)
• Lag-on
• Magang
• Mambalite
• Pamorangon
• Mancruz
• San Isidro

Demographics

Population census of Daet
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1990	66,477	—
1995	74,341	+2.12%
2000	80,632	+1.76%
2007	94,184	+2.17%
2010	95,572	+0.53%
Source: National Statistics Office

Economy

The municipality is rich in mineral resources such as diatomaceous earth (DE) or commonly called white clay. This is one of the income generating industries of the municipality. This non-metallic mineral has a total approximate reserve of 1,289,600 metric tons.

The municipality also has a viable source of sand and gravel. It is being extracted by mining concessionaires.

Infrastructure

Land transportation is the primary means of transporting people, goods and services from the barangay to the town proper of Daet. The town is being linked to its different barangays by the municipality’s major roads, namely the Maharlika Highway. It has a total length of 25.50 kilometers stretching from the boundary of the municipality of Daet to the Camarines Norte – Camarines Sur boundary. The Mangcamagong provincial road has a total length of 9.46 kilometers, stretching from the municipal boundary of Basud and Mercedes to the junction of Maharlika highway.

• Water supply: The barangays of the municipality is being served by levels I, II and III water supply. To cope with the consumption demand especially during summer, the CNWD has constructed an elevated water tank with a capacity of 200 cubic meters and implementing the "Tubig ng Buhay, Hatid sa Barangay" program. Some barangays are being served by shallow wells, deep wells or dug wells.
• Power supply: Daet is being served by electric power, formerly by the defunct Hidalgo Electric Enterprise, now by the National Power Corporation through the Camarines Norte Electric Cooperative (CANORECO). After the establishment of this cooperative, there was a great improvement in terms of power supply condition in the municipality.
• Communication: Daet has a telecommunication system that is being run by one personnel of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC). There are three satellites of Smart, Globe and Sun Cellular. There is postal office and has a staff of one mail carriers serving all barangays in the municipality. These personnel cannot adequately serve the entire from the lack of personnel; another problem is the difficulty in the delivery of mails in the remote and far-flung barangays.

Tourism and attractions

Surfing and beaches

Daet is a famous surfing and kiteboarding spot, as it has a long stretch of beach in Bagasbas. Because of the attention it has gotten from the local surfing community, the Philippine Department of Tourism turned it into a local accredited surfing spot. [1]

Aside from being a spot for surfing and kiteboarding, the Calaguas group of islands, in the jurisdiction of Vinzons, to its north has garnered attention from local and foreign tourists alike. The islands can be considered virgin since no resorts have been created there yet.

Places of interest

Daet is the home of the first monument for José Rizal.

Churches

• Most Holy Trinity Cathedral, it was built and was inaugurated in 1984. It is also the cathedral of the Diocese of Daet
• Parroquia de San Juan Bautista, established in 1611, it is one of the first church in Camarines Norte in the region built by the Franciscan Friars.
• Saint Joseph, Husband Of Mary Parish in Lag-on
• Our Lady Of Peñafrancia Parish in Moreno Dist., Gubat
• Divine Mercy Parish in Alawihao

Historical landmarks

• 1st Rizal Monument - The first monument in honor of a Filipino hero, Dr. José Rizal. Its foundation was made of mortars and boulders from the demolished old Spanish jail in Daet. Lt. Col. Antonio Sanz and Lt. Col. Ildefonso Alegre of Philippine Revolutionary Army initiated the construction of the monument which was unveiled on December 20, 1898.
• Provincial Capitol
• Old Daet Municipal Building
• Daet Elevated Town Plaza
• Daet Municipal Building
• Pineapple Fountain

Festivals

The Pineapple Festival (or "Pinyasan" as it is called by the locals) is considered to be the most colorful festivals in Camarines Norte. The festival started in 1992, and is about the province's prime agricultural product, which is the "Queen of All Pineapple" pineapple. Noted for its sweetness and flavor, this kind of pineapple is produced only in Camarines Norte, thereby making it a specialty in the province. The festival goes on for about 10 days, and several events are held in the municipality. The festival aims to promote the culture of Daet and its citizens. The Pineapple Festival is held every 22–26 June annually initiated by Mayor Tito Sarte Sarion

The Bantayog Festival celebrates the founding of Camarines Norte. As of 2009, it has been 89 years since the province has become independent, since March 3, 1975, when Ambos Camarines (At that time Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur were one province) was split from two. This festival promotes the province as one which has unnoticed potential in the fields of tourism and commerce, and also the rich culture and hospitality of the people of Camarines Norte. The Bantayog Festival is held every March or April annually. It was launched on April 1982.

Notable people

• Manuel Conde, Multi awarded Actor/Director, National Artist for Cinema (2009)
• Fernando Amorsolo, National Artist
• Pablo Amorsolo, Filipino Painter (younger brother of Fernando Amorsolo)
• Fortunato "Atoy" Co, Former PBA Player, Actor, Politician
• Ricky Lee, Scriptwriter
• Jeffrey Marcelino Ong, Scriptwriter/Researcher (ABS-CBN/Precious Pages Corporation)
• Michelle Reyes-Dabu, Beauty Queen
• Joross Gamboa, TV Actor
• Bing Pimentel, TV Actress, Model
• Liwayway Vinzons-Chato, Former BIR Commissioner, Politician
• Sid Lucero, TV Actor
• Nazario Racoma, former Assistant General Manager of National Housing Authority, one of the National Founder of SARONG BANGGI PHILIPPINES UPLB 1964
• Hermes Alegre, Painter
• Atty. Emmanuel F. Dooc, current Insurance Commissioner and member of AMLC
• Joel Saavedra Orcena, Visual Artist and Animator (Traditional/Digital)
• Ronnie "Macky" Macalalad, A member of "The Few The Proud Marines"
• Dr. Shirly Cu Dioneda- Seasonal Teacher/Professor, Pioneer /Founder of Daet SPED Center, owner of Dioneda's Special School of Daet, Inc. Mother of Special Education in the entire Province of Camarines Norte

External links

• Daet On the Go
• Daet Information Site
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information