Dumangas, officially the Municipality of Dumangas, is a 1st class municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 69,108 people.[3]
Dumangas is located north-east of Iloilo City on the island of Panay, east of the province of Iloilo. Surrounded by the towns of Barotac Nuevo in the north, Pototan in the west, Zarraga in the south and the waters and islands of Guimaras and Negros Occidental in the east.
Like most parts in the Philippines, Dumangas is a rural town where agriculture and livestock are predominant. It is a home of the Haw-as Festival every Month of October.
It has a lot of tributaries like the rivers of Barasan, Agdarupan, Paloc, Talusan, Dumangas, Sulangan, Talauguis and Jalaur. Natural features found in Dumangas includes the mountains and hills of Ermita, Binaobao and Rosario. Sulangan has its own mini version of the "tinagong dagat" where a spring can be found and Binaobao has the Matagsing and Lacaran has the Elehan Caves.
Known tourist spots in the town includes the Lacaran Beach, Bacay Beach, Nalooyan Beach, Tinagong Dagat, Bangus Fishponds in many Barangays, the Aglipayan Church, the Ermita Shrine, the San Agustin Catholic Church, the RoRo Port, the coastal road and seafood restaurants found in the Monfort Coastal Road.
Although an hour drive from the port city of Iloilo, Dumangas continues to retain its provincial standing, but whose commitment to certain fundamental community values and innovation has produced many in the way of medicine, law and education. The town is one of the seven first class municipalities in Iloilo and the richest and the most populated municipality in the fourth district of Iloilo. It is also a fast-growing municipality and expected to become a component city in the future.
Historical Sites and Landmarks
Saint Augustine Catholic Parish or Dumangas Church is of Gothic architectural style. The present church was constructed under the supervision of Father Fernando Llorente in 1887 and finished by Father Rafael Murillo in 1896. It was declared as a National Landmark by the National Historical Institute.
2. Ruins of First Stone Church in Panay in Barangay Ermita was built in 1569 by Capt. Luis de la Haya, together with Augustinian Father Juan de Alva. It was declared a National Landmark by the National Historical Institutes
3. Dumangas Public Plaza
4. Siete Pecados Islands Lighthouse
5. Monument of Col. Quintin D. Salas in Dumangas Public Plaza
Dumangas Ro-Ro Port The Port of Dumangas is one of the major ports operating in the Province of Iloilo. It is located in Sitio Nalu-oyan at Brgy. Sapao, Dumangas, Iloilo. Roll-on Roll-Off (RORO) Vessels carrying passengers and cargoes plying Dumangas, Iloilo β Bacolod and vice versa are now operational. It also serves as an outlet for rice, sugar, fish products, etc. for central and eastern towns of Iloilo.
Home Of Haw - As Festival. Haw-as In Dumangas Celebrating The Bounty Of The Sea And Land . Dumangas, Iloilo comes alive with the celebration of Haw-as Festival that opened in October 25 to 31 Until November 1 every year. The town is among the main centers of Iloilo's fish trade so it is appropriate that they hold a thanksgiving festival celebrating the harvest of good things from the sea and land. The name comes from the term haw-as, which means harvesting of fully grown Bangus Fish from the Fish ponds. Some of the festival highlights include the Haw-as Guban, or a street dancing competition where participants dress up as the haw-as or fish. Other activities include fireworks display, sports fest and many more. Spend a sweet, end-of-the-semester weekend in the historic town of Dumangas. Both the abundance of its home-grown produce and artisan food products are what initiated this free, family-oriented arts and crafts event.