NATHAN

The municipality of Dinalungan got its name from a river called “Dinalungan”, while this river was name coined from the names of “Dina” and “Lungan” a wife a husband, respectively of a Dumagat Tribe living in the area.

Lungan was the son of the chieftain of the Dumagat Tribe who got interested to marry the daughter of the slave family belonging to the tribe. To obtain the approval of the chieftain for the two (2) lovers’s marriage, Dina endure long year of service to the Lungan’s family. The end result was the several children produce by the couple. Unfortunately Dina and Lungan got sick and succeeding died. The memory of Dina and Lungan was instilled in the minds of their children and the succeeding generations of the tribe.

On 18 August 1926, two (2) men from outside of Aurora whose activities were hunting wild animals and collection of almaciga resin, accidentally reach the Dinalungan. They befriended the Dumagat Tribe. The two men were Eusebio Vargas and Bonifacio Vargas from San Miguel na Munti, Talevara, Nueva Ecija, Infanta Quezon, respectively. The two left the area bringing with them wild animals and Almaciga Resin. When they went back to the area, eight families went with them and permanently settled in Dinalungan. More families followed them during the succeeding months.

In 1938, Dinalungan became part of the Casiguran with Gavino dela Cruz as the first appointed Barrio Lieutenant. Establishment of a school was given emphasized by dela Cruz and his barrio mates with Pedro Torre Sr. as the first teacher.

The Second World War made life hard for the residents of Dinalungan. Several Prominent heads of the family including Gavino dela Cruz were killed. The Barrio of Dinalungan like other Barrios of Aurora was severely destroyed. The end of the War (1945) provided the remaining residents to rebuild the community under the leadership of Esteban Gazeta. The School was also rebuilt with Eugenio Moral and Timoteo Flores as teacher and head teacher, respectively.

It was also after the war that the Spanish and Chinese loggers arrived in the area and build logging roads in support of their logging operations.

From 1947 to 1962, seven (7) Barrio Lieutenants have succeeding administered the community. With concerted effort and one goal of the barrio leaders, the barrio of Dinalungan was converted as the municipality on 18 June 1966 through Republic Act No. 4757. It composes five barrios namely: Simbahan, Abuleg, Bungo, Balante, and Nipoo with Hon. Pablo Galolo as the first municipal Mayor.

Other municipal Mayors who came after Hon. Galolo Sr. include Hon. Calixto Hermo (1971-74), Lt. Col. Prudencio Medriano (Military Mayor for 1974-80), Hon. Douglas A. Gapusan (1986-88), Hon. Elena C. Usman (1988-98), and the present Local Chief Executive, the Hon. Marilyn B. Marquez 1998 to

The municipality of Dinalungan has at present nine (9) barangays with the addition of Paleg, Ditawini, Dibaraybay, and Zone I and II of the Poblacion.

At present Hon. Tito T. Tubigan municipal mayor... (Details is on process) 

-jonathan querijero-