Danao, officially the Municipality of Danao, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 20,245 people. Danao celebrates its fiesta on December 30, to honor the town patron the Holy Family.

Etymology

According to the Diccionario Español-Bisaya (1866), danao means charca, lago, laguna, pantano, estanque grande, avenida, campañas, etc. (lake, lagoon, freshet, large reservoir, arable land, field, etc.). Except that of a lake, all definitions of danao describe the municipality of Danao, with freshet being the most likely meaning. A freshet is either a sudden rise or overflow of a stream or river, or freshwater stream emptying into the sea.

History

In the beginning, Danao is part of Inabanga, when the latter became a town in 1724. In 1744, Francisco Dagohoy (Sendrijas) established the First Bohol Republic at Caylagan Cave (now Francisco Dagohoy Cave) in barangay Magtangtang, located northwest of the present-day Poblacion. Magtangtang became the seat of government and headquarters of the independent Bohol that lasted for more than 85 years. In 1830, Talibon became an independent pueblo from Inabanga, and Danao was annexed to it. During the first US sponsored Census, Danao is listed as one of the barrios of Talibon with a recorded population of 585 in 1903. In 1953, the town of Victoria (now Dagohoy, Bohol) was established and 5 barangays namely Cantubod, Danao, Hibale, Santa Fe, and Santo Niño were carved out from Talibon through Executive Order No. 634 by President Elpidio Quirino to form a new municipality together with other 13 barangays in Carmen, Sierra Bullones, Trinidad, and Ubay. However, after only less than 3 years of existence, Victoria was reorganized and became the new municipality of Dagohoy. The 5 barangays were reverted to Talibon through Executive Order No. 184 by President Ramon Magsaysay and upon the recommendation of the Provincial Board of Bohol. Finally, on March 14, 1961, Danao became an independent municipality through Executive Order No. 422 by President Carlos P. Garcia. Sixteen (16) barangays from municipalities of Talibon, Inabanga, and Carmen with the seat of government at barangay Danao were organized into a new town. The list of barangays are shown below:

Geography

The Isumod river flowing near the town center of Danao may suddenly overflow and inundate a large portion of the town. The river joins the Wahig river and empties into the sea. Danao is 123 km from Tagbilaran.

Barangays

Danao is politically subdivided into 17 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

Economy

Tourism

Education

Elementary and primary schools Secondary schools

Galleries

Sources