Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte

Map of Surigao del Norte showing the location of Gigaquit

Gigaquit is a 4th class municipality in the province of Surigao del Norte, Philippines based on National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) report. According to the 2000 Census, it has a total population of 16,155 people in 3,197 households.

Barangays

Gigaquit is politically subdivided into 13 barangays.

• Alambique (Pob.)
• Anibongan
• Cam-boayon
• Camam-onan
• Ipil (Pob.)
• Lahi
• Mahanub
• Poniente
• San Antonio (Bonot)
• San Isidro (Parang)
• Sico-sico
• Villaflor
• Villafranca

History

1. From the Municipal Government Website

Gigaquit is one of the oldest municipalities in the Province of Surigao del Norte. It was once the mother municipality of Bacuag and Claver which became separate municipalities in 1918 and 1955 under Executive Order Nos. 61 and 126, respectively. As borne out of historical writings, Gigaquit was founded in 1850 by a native named Cero who fortified the town and made it safe from Moro depredations. About this time, priests from different religious orders christianized the natives and made Saint Agustine, Bishop of Hipo Africa, as their Patron Saint. The Saint was said to be miraculous since he never failed to protect the people even after the town was raided by Moro pirates where he showed this first miracle by drowning the raiders in a sudden storm.

   The municipality got its name from two native words “Gigad” which means shore and “Gakit” meaning a bamboo raft.  This raft was used by early settlers as transportation from the hinterland to the shore.  From what was handed down by word of mouth during the years, the two words were joined and later became “Gigaquit”.

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 1995 Philippine Census Information
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• 2007 Philippine Census Information (1)
• 2007 Philippine Census Information (2)
• Local Governance Performance Management System