Dingras

{{Short description|Municipality in Ilocos Norte, Philippines}} {{Distinguish|Digras|Digras, Beed}} {{Infobox settlement  | name = {{PH wikidata|name}} | image_skyline = Facade of Dingras Church.jpg | image_caption = Facade of the church of Dingras | image_flag = Flag_of_Dingras,_Ilocos_Norte.png | flag_size = 120x80px | image_seal = Dingras Ilocos Norte.png | seal_size = 100x80px | image_map = {{PH wikidata|image_map}} | map_caption = {{PH wikidata|map_caption}} | mapframe = yes | pushpin_map = Philippines | pushpin_label_position = left | pushpin_map_caption = Location within the {{PH wikidata|country}} | coordinates = {{PH wikidata|coordinates}} | settlement_type = {{PH wikidata|settlement_type}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Philippines | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = {{PH wikidata|region}} | subdivision_type2 = Province | subdivision_name2 = {{PH wikidata|province}} | official_name = {{PH wikidata|official_name}} | etymology =  | named_for =  | native_name = | other_name = | nickname = | motto = | anthem = | subdivision_type3 = District | subdivision_name3 = {{PH legislative district}} | established_title = Founded | established_date = July 8, 1598 | parts_type = Barangays | parts_style = para | p1 = {{PH barangay count | {{wikidata|label|raw}} }} (see Barangays) | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Joefrey P. Saguid | leader_title1 = Vice Mayor | leader_name1 = Erdio E. Valenzuela | leader_title2 = Representative  | leader_name2 = Eugenio Angelo M. Barba | leader_title3 = Municipal Council | leader_name3 = {{PH Town Council | 1 = <div style="border-style:solid none;border-width:thin;border-color:Gainsboro;background-color:#e6e6e6;text-align:center;width:95%;font-variant:small-caps;"></div> | 2=Ruben Felicito C. Marcos | 3=Lester S. Ballesteros | 4=Elsie P. Garces | 5=Nathaniel Ruben P. Taylan | 6=Charles L. Tadena | 7=Rowena Celerina P. Verzosa | 8=Jimmy T. Aguinaldo | 9=Dammielle Ashley Manna }} | leader_title4 = Electorate | leader_name4 = {{PH wikidata|electorate}} voters (electorate_point_in_time}}|{{PH wikidata|electorate_point_in_time}}) | government_type = {{PH wikidata|government_type}} | government_footnotes = {{thinsp}}<ref>{{DILG detail}}</ref> | elevation_m = {{PH wikidata|elevation_m}} | elevation_max_m = 268 | elevation_min_m = 14 | elevation_max_rank = | elevation_min_rank = | elevation_footnotes = {{PH wikidata|elevation_footnotes}} | elevation_max_footnotes= | elevation_min_footnotes= | area_rank = | area_footnotes = {{PH area}} | area_total_km2 = {{PH wikidata|area}} | population_footnotes = {{PH wikidata|population_reference}} | population_total = {{PH wikidata|population_total}} | population_as_of = {{PH wikidata|population_as_of}} | population_density_km2 = auto | population_blank1_title= Households | population_blank1 = {{PH wikidata|household}} | population_blank2_title= | population_blank2 = | population_demonym = | population_rank = | population_note = | timezone = PST | utc_offset = +8 | postal_code_type = ZIP code | postal_code = {{PH wikidata|postal_code}} | postal2_code_type = {{PSGCstyle}} | postal2_code = {{PSGC detail}} | area_code_type = {{areacodestyle}} | area_code = {{PH wikidata|area_code}} | website = {{PH wikidata|website}} | demographics_type1 = Economy | demographics1_title1 = {{PH wikidata|income_class_title}} | demographics1_info1 = {{PH wikidata|income_class}} | demographics1_title2 = Poverty incidence | demographics1_info2 = {{PH wikidata|poverty_incidence}}% ({{PH wikidata|poverty_incidence_point_in_time}}){{PH wikidata|poverty_incidence_footnotes}} | demographics1_title3 = Revenue | demographics1_info3 = {{PH wikidata|revenue}} {{PH wikidata|revenue_point_in_time}} | demographics1_title4 = Revenue rank | demographics1_info4 = | demographics1_title5 = Assets | demographics1_info5 = {{PH wikidata|assets}} {{PH wikidata|assets_point_in_time}} | demographics1_title6 = Assets rank | demographics1_info6 = | demographics1_title7 = IRA | demographics1_info7 = | demographics1_title8 = IRA rank | demographics1_info8 = | demographics1_title9 = Expenditure | demographics1_info9 = {{PH wikidata|expenditure}} {{PH wikidata|expenditure_point_in_time}} | demographics1_title10 = Liabilities | demographics1_info10 = {{PH wikidata|liabilities}} {{PH wikidata|liabilities_point_in_time}} | demographics_type2 = Service provider | demographics2_title1 = Electricity | demographics2_info1 = {{PH electricity distribution | {{wikidata|label|raw}} }} | demographics2_title2 = Water | demographics2_info2 = | demographics2_title3 = Telecommunications | demographics2_info3 = | demographics2_title4 = Cable TV | demographics2_info4 = | demographics2_title5 = | demographics2_info5 = | demographics2_title6 = | demographics2_info6 = | demographics2_title7 = | demographics2_info7 = | demographics2_title8 = | demographics2_info8 = | demographics2_title9 = | demographics2_info9 = | demographics2_title10 = | demographics2_info10 = | blank_name_sec1 = {{PH wikidata|climate_title}} | blank_info_sec1 = {{PH wikidata|climate_type}} | blank1_name_sec1 = Native languages | blank1_info_sec1 = {{PH wikidata|language}} | blank2_name_sec1 = Crime index | blank2_info_sec1 = | blank3_name_sec1 = | blank3_info_sec1 = | blank4_name_sec1 = | blank4_info_sec1 = | blank5_name_sec1 = | blank5_info_sec1 = | blank6_name_sec1 = | blank6_info_sec1 = | blank7_name_sec1 = | blank7_info_sec1 = | blank1_name_sec2 = Major religions | blank1_info_sec2 = | blank2_name_sec2 = Feast date | blank2_info_sec2 = | blank3_name_sec2 = Catholic diocese | blank3_info_sec2 = | blank4_name_sec2 = Patron saint | blank4_info_sec2 = | blank5_name_sec2 = | blank5_info_sec2 = | blank6_name_sec2 = | blank6_info_sec2 = | blank7_name_sec2 = | blank7_info_sec2 = | short_description = | footnotes = }} '''Dingras''', officially the '''Municipality of Dingras''' ({{langx|ilo|Ili ti Dingras}}; {{langx|fil|Bayan ng Dingras}}), is a municipality in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. According to the {{PH wikidata|population_as_of}}, it has a population of {{PH wikidata|population_total}} people.{{PH wikidata|population_reference}}

==Etymology==

The municipality is said to be have been named after a romantic folk legend.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rillera |first=Ricky |date=2025-01-09 |title=The rebirth of Enriqueta de Peralta: Her life, works, and legacy in a book written to honor her |url=https://www.philippinedailymirror.com/the-rebirth-of-enriqueta-de-peralta-her-life-works-and-legacy-in-a-book-written-to-honor-her/ |access-date=2025-12-31 |website=Philippine Daily Mirror |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>Sen. Imee R. Marcos. "Dingras." 8 March 2016. (Facebook post.) https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FImeeMarcos%2Fposts%2F10154013844782431.</ref>

'''The Legend of Dingras'''

Legend has it that in the early times, there were two prosperous ''Barangay'' in the present site of the town, each ruled by a powerful chief or ''datu''. They were bitter and mortal enemies. Naslag was the powerful chief of the ''barangay'' north of the river, while Allawigan was the chief of the ''barangay'' to the south of the river.

One day, Allawigan and his warriors went out to go hunting. Ras, his son, was the bravest among them. During the hunt, Ras followed a deer that went north across the river. As he was chasing the deer, he saw a beautiful damsel gathering wildflowers on the opposite side of the riverbank. She was Ding, the daughter of Naslag. To help the lady, Ras gathered the most beautiful flowers near him, attached them to an arrowhead, and shot it over the river to land by the lady's feet. Ding looked at the other side of the river and waved her hands. Ras went home happily.

Ras begged his father for permission to win Ding for his wife; but because the fathers of Ding and Ras were bitter enemies, the only way he could win her was in an open battle fought fiercely between the two tribes.

Ras led his father's warriors. They fought valiantly and came out victorious in the end. Ras asked for Ding's hand as a prize, but Naslag refused. This angered him and hurled a challenge to the bravest warrior of Naslag in single combat with Ding as prize. The challenge was accepted. The combat was fought and again, Ras was victorious. He brought Ding triumphantly to Allawigan, his father. Thereafter, the people named the two ''barangays'' Dingras, after Ras, their valiant warrior ruler, and Ding, his wife.

==History==

On January 27, 2000, Mayor Robert Castro was forcibly removed from his office by the police due to defying orders from the regional trial court issued nine days prior to step down after losing an electoral contest to Oswaldo Parado, who was found to have won the 1998 mayoral race by over 370 votes.<ref>{{cite news|last=Espino|first=Kira|title=Mayor defies ouster, sleeps in office|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=A4g1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=jyUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3620%2C30197842|access-date=June 16, 2022|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|publisher=The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc.|date=January 26, 2000|location=Dingras, Ilocos Norte|page=12}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Espino|first=Kira|title=Police eject mayor from office|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1Ic1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=jyUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3619%2C8495828|access-date=June 16, 2022|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|publisher=The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc.|date=February 3, 2000|location=Dingras, Ilocos Norte|page=15}}</ref>

Through ''Presidential Proclamation 680'', September 20, 2024 was declared a special non-working day as tribute to Josefa Llanes Escoda, a World War II heroine and the Girl Scouts of the Philippines founder.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gita Carlos |first1=Ruth Abbey |title=PBBM declares special non-working days in 7 towns|url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1233370 |accessdate=September 14, 2024 |work= Philippine News Agency|date=September 14, 2024}}</ref>

==Geography== The Municipality of Dingras has a total area of 17,962 hectares, ranking 8th in size among the 23 municipalities and cities in the province. It accounts for practically 5.2% of the total land area of Ilocos Norte and corresponding percentage to the municipal area composed of 31 barangays. Six are on the Poblacion and 25 in the rural area. Out of the total area 6,305 hectares is devoted to rice and corn production. Other non-productive areas are devoted to livestock production, swine production and other livelihood projects. Most of the population are engaged in farming as the primary source of income.{{update after|2010}}

Dingras is situated {{convert|18.07|km}} from the provincial capital Laoag, and {{convert|487.99|km}} from the country's capital city of Manila.{{Citation needed|date=April 2026}}

===Barangays=== Dingras is politically subdivided into 31 barangays.{{PSGC detail|area}} Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

{{Div col|colwidth=15em}} *Albano (Poblacion) *Bacsil *Bagut *Baresbes *Barong *Bungcag *Cali *Capasan *Dancel (Poblacion) *Elizabeth *Espiritu (Gabon) *Foz *Guerrero (Poblacion) *Lanas *Lumbad *Madamba (Poblacion) *Mandaloque *Medina *Parado (Bangay) *Peralta (Poblacion) *Puruganan (Poblacion) *Root *Sagpatan *Saludares (Baldias) *San Esteban *San Francisco *San Marcelino (Padong) *San Marcos *Sulquiano (Sidiran) *Suyo *Ver (Naglayaan) {{Div col end}}

===Climate=== {{Weather box | location = Dingras, Ilocos Norte | width = auto | metric first = Yes | single line = Yes | Jan high C = 27 | Jan low C = 20 | Feb high C = 28 | Feb low C = 20 | Mar high C = 30 | Mar low C = 21 | Apr high C = 32 | Apr low C = 23 | May high C = 31 | May low C = 25 | Jun high C = 31 | Jun low C = 25 | Jul high C = 30 | Jul low C = 25 | Aug high C = 30 | Aug low C = 25 | Sep high C = 30 | Sep low C = 24 | Oct high C = 29 | Oct low C = 23 | Nov high C = 29 | Nov low C = 22 | Dec high C = 27 | Dec low C = 21 | Jan precipitation mm = 38 | Feb precipitation mm = 37 | Mar precipitation mm = 37 | Apr precipitation mm = 49 | May precipitation mm = 181 | Jun precipitation mm = 214 | Jul precipitation mm = 264 | Aug precipitation mm = 251 | Sep precipitation mm = 243 | Oct precipitation mm = 229 | Nov precipitation mm = 129 | Dec precipitation mm = 96 | Jan rain days = 11.6 | Feb rain days = 10.7 | Mar rain days = 12.4 | Apr rain days = 15.2 | May rain days = 22.6 | Jun rain days = 25.0 | Jul rain days = 26.1 | Aug rain days = 24.9 | Sep rain days = 24.3 | Oct rain days = 19.2 | Nov rain days = 16.4 | Dec rain days = 15.4 | source 1 = Meteoblue<ref name="met_norms"> {{cite web | url = https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/dingras_philippines_1714728 | title = Dingras: Average Temperatures and Rainfall | publisher = Meteoblue | access-date = 4 March 2020}}</ref> | date = 4 March 2020 }} {{clear left}}

==Demographics== {{Philippine Census | align = left | cols = 2 | title= Population census of {{PH wikidata|name}} | 1903 = {{PH census population|1903}} | 1918 = {{PH census population|1918}} | 1939 = {{PH census population|1939}} | 1948 = {{PH census population|1948}} | 1960 = {{PH census population|1960}} | 1970 = {{PH census population|1970}} | 1975 = {{PH census population|1975}} | 1980 = {{PH census population|1980}} | 1990 = {{PH census population|1990}} | 1995 = {{PH census population|1995}} | 2000 = {{PH census population|2000}} | 2007 = {{PH census population|2007}} | 2010 = {{PH census population|2010}} | 2015 = {{PH census population|2015}} | 2020 = {{PH census population|2020}} | 2024 = {{PH census population|2024}} | 2030 = | footnote= Source: Philippine Statistics Authority{{PH wikidata|population_reference}}{{PH census|2015}}{{PH census|2010}}{{PH census|2007}}{{LWUA population data}} }}

In the 2024 census, the population of Dingras was 40,176 people,{{PH wikidata|population_reference}} with a density of {{convert|{{sigfig|40,176/96.00|2}}|PD/km2|disp=or}}.{{clear left}}

== Economy == {{PH poverty incidence}}

==Longest Bibingka== On October 9, 2007, Dingras, Ilocos Norte, Philippines sought a Guinness World Record certification after baking a kilometer-long "''cassava bibingka''" (native cake) made from 1,000 kilos of cassava and eaten by 1,000 residents.<ref>[http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=95108 ABS-CBN Interactive, Ilocos Norte town makes 'longest bibingka'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023234325/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=95108 |date=2007-10-23 }}</ref>

==List of Cultural Properties of Dingras== {{Philippine cultural property header|region-iso=PH-ILN }} {{Philippine cultural property row | site_name = Versoza House Ruins | description = Destroyed by earthquake | province = Ilocos Norte | location = Dingras | barangay = | address = Padawin Street, Barangay Madamba, Poblacion, | coord = {{coord|18.102366|120.697444}} | image = Versoza House Ruins 1.JPG }} {{Philippine cultural property row | site_name = Silvino Madamba House | description = | province = Ilocos Norte | location = Dingras | barangay = | address = Barangay Madamba | coord = {{coord|18.102799|120.697235}} | image = Silvino Madamba House 1.JPG }} {{Philippine cultural property row | site_name = Taylan House | description = | province = Ilocos Norte | location = Dingras | barangay = | address = Barangay Madamba | coord = {{coord|18.101981|120.698360}} | image = Beltran Baquiran Heritage House.jpg }} {{Philippine cultural property row | site_name = Albano House | description = | province = Ilocos Norte | location = Dingras | barangay = | address = Barangay Madamba | coord = {{coord|18.101802|120.698647}} | image = Albano House 1.JPG }} {{Philippine cultural property row | site_name = St. Joseph Educational Center of Dingras | description = Built in the 1940s-1950s; formerly the parish church of Dingras | province = Ilocos Norte | location = Dingras | barangay = | address = Barangay Madamba | coord = {{coord|18.102133|120.698983}} | image = St. Joseph Educational Center of Dingras 1.JPG }} {{Philippine cultural property row | site_name = St. Joseph Parish Church of Dingras | description = | province = Ilocos Norte | location = Dingras | barangay = | address = Poblacion, Barangay Madamba | coord = {{coord|18.102967|120.698733}} | image = St. Joseph Parish Church of Dingras 1.JPG }} {{Philippine cultural property row | site_name = Boy Scouts Monument | description = | province = Ilocos Norte | location = Dingras | barangay = | address = Poblacion, Barangay Madamba | coord = {{coord|18.102450|120.698333}} | image = Boy Scouts Monument 1.JPG }} {{Philippine cultural property row | site_name = St. Joseph Institute of Dingras Building | description = | province = Ilocos Norte | location = Dingras | barangay = | address = Poblacion, Barangay Madamba | coord = {{coord|18.103450|120.698417}} | image = St. Joseph Institute.jpg }} {{Philippine cultural property row | site_name = Unknown House | description = | province = Ilocos Norte | location = Dingras | barangay = | address = Rang-ay, Barangay Madamba | coord = {{coord|18.103966|120.697130}} | image = Unknown House Dingras 1.JPG }} {{Philippine cultural property row | site_name = Puruganan Ancestral House | description = Currently used as Community Rural Bank of Dingras, with NHCP historical marker | province = Ilocos Norte | location = Dingras | barangay = | address = Barangay Madamba | coord = {{coord|18.104150|120.697385}} | image = Purugganan Ancestral House.jpg }} {{Philippine cultural property row | site_name = Josefa Llanes Escoda Monument | description = House where Josefa Llanes Escoda was born.<ref name="Dela Torre174">{{harvnb|Dela Torre|2006|p=174}}</ref> | province = Ilocos Norte | location = Dingras | barangay = | address = Dona Josefa Llanes Escoda National Highway, Barangay Madamba | coord = {{coord|18.104186|120.697669}} | image = JosefaLlanesEscoda1.JPG }} {{Philippine cultural property row | site_name = Dingras Cemetery | description = | province = Ilocos Norte | location = Dingras | barangay = | address = Dona Josefa Llanes Escoda National Highway, Barangay Madamba | coord = {{coord|18.114681|120.692351}} | image = Dingras Cemetery.jpg }} {{Philippine cultural property row | site_name = Tabacalera de Dingras | description = | province = Ilocos Norte | location = Dingras | barangay = | address = Dona Josefa Llanes Escoda National Highway, Barangay Madamba | coord = {{coord|18.113960|120.691828}} | image = Tabacalera de Dingras 1.JPG }} |}

==Government== ===Local government=== {{main|Sangguniang Bayan}} Dingras, belonging to the second congressional district of the province of Ilocos Norte, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

===Elected officials===  {| class="wikitable" style="line-height:1.20em; font-size:100%;" |+ Members of the Municipal Council<br>(2019–2022)<ref>{{Cite web |title=2019 National and Local Elections |url=https://comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/2019NLE/ElectionResults/2019NLE_LIst_of_Elected_CityMun_Candidates.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=March 10, 2022 |website=Commission on Elections|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006184020/https://www.comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/2019NLE/ElectionResults/2019NLE_LIst_of_Elected_CityMun_Candidates.pdf |archive-date=2020-10-06 }}</ref> |- ! Position ! Name |- | Congressman | style="text-align:center;" | Eugenio Angelo M. Barba |- | Mayor | style="text-align:center;" | Joefrey P. Saguid |- |Vice-Mayor | style="text-align:center;" | Erdio E. Valenzuela |- |rowspan=8| Councilors | style="text-align:center;" | Ruben Felicito C. Marcos |- | style="text-align:center;" | Lester S. Ballesteros |- | style="text-align:center;" | Elsie P. Garces |- | style="text-align:center;" | Nathaniel Ruben P. Taylan |- | style="text-align:center;" | Charles L. Tadena |- | style="text-align:center;" | Rowena Celerina P. Verzosa |- | style="text-align:center;" | Jimmy T. Aguinaldo |- | style="text-align:center;" | Joey S. Apostol |- |}

==Education== There are two schools district offices which govern all public and private schools within the municipality. These are Dingras I Schools District, and Dingras II Schools District.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 15, 2021 |title=Masterlist of Schools |url=https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/SY-2020-2021-Masterlist-of-Schools-Address-only-1-1.pdf |access-date=April 15, 2025 |website=Department of Education}}</ref>

===Primary and elementary schools=== {{Div col|colwidth=15em}} * Bacsil Elementary School * Bagut Elementary School * Baresbes Elementary School * Barong Elementary School * Capasan Elementary School * Dingras Central Elementary School * Dingras West Central Elementary School * Elizabeth Elementary School * Elizabeth-Lanas Elementary School * Espiritu Elementary School * Francisco Elementary School * Hilaria Salvatierra Mem. Elementary School * Mabino Elementary School * Mandaloque Elementary School * Medina Parado Elementary School * Peralta Elementary School * Sagpatan Elementary School * Saludares-Cali Elementary School * San Esteban Elementary School * San Marcelino Elementary School * San Marcos Elementary School * Sulquiano Elementary School * Suyo Elementary School * Ver Elementary School {{div col end}}

===Secondary schools=== * Dingras National High School/Lt. Edgar Foz Mem. National High School (Main) * Dingras National High School/Lt. Edgar Foz Mem. National High School (Barong Campus) * Dingras National High School/Lt. Edgar Foz Mem. National High School (San Marcos Campus) * Dingras National High School/Lt. Edgar Foz Mem. National High School (Sulquiano Campus) * San Marcelino National High School * St. Joseph Institute of Dingras * Suyo National High School

==Notes== {{notelist-lr}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==Bibliography== {{refbegin}} *{{cite book|last1=Dela Torre|first1=Visitacion|title=The Ilocos Heritage|date=2006|publisher=Tower Book House|location=Makati|isbn=978-971-91030-9-7}} {{refend}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} *[{{NSCB detail}} Philippine Standard Geographic Code] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20081120024509/http://www.census.gov.ph/data/census2007/index.html Philippine Census Information] *[http://www.blgs.gov.ph/lgpmsv2/cmshome/index.php?pageID=23&frmIdDcfCode=7&fLguType=CM&frmIdRegion=2&frmIdProvince=18&frmIdLgu=202 Local Governance Performance Management System] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502154047/http://www.blgs.gov.ph/lgpmsv2/cmshome/index.php?pageID=23&frmIdDcfCode=7&fLguType=CM&frmIdRegion=2&frmIdProvince=18&frmIdLgu=202 |date=2012-05-02 }}

{{Geographic location | Centre = Dingras | North = Piddig | Northeast = Solsona | Southeast = Nueva Era | Southwest = Marcos | West = Sarrat }} {{Ilocos Norte}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Municipalities of Ilocos Norte