Donsol

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Municipality in Sorsogon, Philippines

title: "Donsol" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["municipalities-of-sorsogon"] description: "Municipality in Sorsogon, Philippines" topic_path: "general/municipalities-of-sorsogon" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donsol" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Municipality in Sorsogon, Philippines ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
name
image_skylineDonsol -Philippines - panoramio.jpg
image_captionPort of Donsol
image_flagFlag_of_Donsol,_Sorsogon.png
flag_size120x80px
image_sealDonsol Sorsogon.png
seal_size100x80px
image_map
map_caption
mapframeyes
pushpin_mapPhilippines
pushpin_label_positionleft
pushpin_map_captionLocation within the
coordinates
settlement_type
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_namePhilippines
subdivision_type1Region
subdivision_name1
subdivision_type2Province
subdivision_name2
official_name
etymology
named_for
nicknameWhale Shark Tourism Capital of the Philippines
subdivision_type3District
subdivision_name3
established_titleFounded
established_date1668
parts_typeBarangays
parts_stylepara
p1(see Barangays)
leader_titleMayor
leader_nameRalph Walter Lubiano
leader_title1Vice Mayor
leader_name1Ma. Christiana R. Abetria
leader_title2Representative
leader_name2Dette Escudero
leader_title3Municipal Council
leader_name3{{PH Town Council
1
2Ma. Christiana R. Abetria
3Teodoro B. de Guzman
4Nicolas A. Nato
5Mary Antoinette G. Aquino
6Helene A. Garay
7Argel D. Hernandez
8Jerome R. Alcantara II
9Victor V. Alim
leader_title4Electorate
leader_name4voters ([electorate_point_in_time}}
government_type
government_footnotes
elevation_m
elevation_max_m84
elevation_min_m0
elevation_footnotes
area_footnotes
area_total_km2
population_footnotes
population_total
population_as_of
population_density_km2auto
population_blank1_titleHouseholds
population_blank1
population_demonymDonsolanon
timezonePST
utc_offset+8
postal_code_typeZIP code
postal_code
postal2_code_type
postal2_code
area_code_type
area_code
website
demographics_type1Economy
demographics1_title1
demographics1_info1
demographics1_title2Poverty incidence
demographics1_info2% ()
demographics1_title3Revenue
demographics1_info3
demographics1_title4Revenue rank
demographics1_title5Assets
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demographics1_title6Assets rank
demographics1_title7IRA
demographics1_title8IRA rank
demographics1_title9Expenditure
demographics1_info9
demographics1_title10Liabilities
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demographics_type2Service provider
demographics2_title1Electricity
demographics2_info1
demographics2_title2Water
demographics2_title3Telecommunications
demographics2_title4Cable TV
blank_name_sec1
blank_info_sec1
blank1_name_sec1Native languages
blank1_info_sec1*East Miraya
blank2_name_sec1Crime index
blank1_name_sec2Major religions
blank2_name_sec2Feast date
blank3_name_sec2Catholic diocese
blank4_name_sec2Patron saint
::

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| demographics1_title4 = Revenue rank | demographics1_info4 = | demographics1_title5 = Assets | demographics1_info5 =
| demographics1_title6 = Assets rank | demographics1_info6 = | demographics1_title7 = IRA | demographics1_info7 = | demographics1_title8 = IRA rank | demographics1_info8 = | demographics1_title9 = Expenditure | demographics1_info9 =
| demographics1_title10 = Liabilities | demographics1_info10 =
| demographics_type2 = Service provider | demographics2_title1 = Electricity | demographics2_info1 = | 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 = | blank_info_sec1 = | blank1_name_sec1 = Native languages | blank1_info_sec1 = *East Miraya

  • Tagalog | 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 =

Donsol, officially the Municipality of Donsol, (Central Bikol: Banwaan kan Donsol; Tagalog: Bayan ng Donsol) is a municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 51,781 people.

It is known for whale shark encounters and its rich marine biodiversity, offering activities like snorkeling, diving, and wildlife exploration.

Geography

Donsol is 66 km from Sorsogon City, 571 km from Manila, and 94 km from Legazpi.

Barangays

Donsol is politically subdivided into 51 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

  • Alin
  • Awaii (Poblacion)
  • Banban
  • Bandi
  • Banuang Gurang
  • Baras
  • Bayawas
  • Bororan Barangay 1 (Poblacion)
  • Cabugao
  • Central Barangay 2 (Poblacion)
  • Cristo
  • Dancalan
  • De Vera
  • Gimagaan
  • Girawan
  • Gogon
  • Gura
  • Juan Adre
  • Lourdes
  • Mabini
  • Malapoc
  • Malinao
  • Market Site Barangay 3 (Poblacion)
  • New Maguisa
  • Ogod (Crossing)
  • Old Maguisa
  • Orange
  • Pangpang
  • Parina
  • Pawala
  • Pinamanaan
  • Poso Pob. (Barangay 5)
  • Punta Waling-Waling Dalisay (Poblacion)
  • Rawis (Poblacion Brgy)
  • San Antonio
  • San Isidro
  • San Jose
  • San Rafael
  • San Ramon
  • San Vicente
  • Santa Cruz (Itunggan)
  • Sevilla
  • Sibago
  • Suguian
  • Tagbac
  • Tinanogan
  • Tongdol
  • Tres Marias (Poblacion Brgy)
  • Tuba
  • Tupas
  • Vinisitahan

Climate

| location = Donsol, Sorsogon | width = auto | metric first = Yes | single line = Yes | Jan high C = 27 | Jan low C = 22 | Feb high C = 28 | Feb low C = 21 | Mar high C = 29 | Mar low C = 22 | Apr high C = 31 | Apr low C = 23 | May high C = 31 | May low C = 24 | Jun high C = 30 | Jun low C = 25 | Jul high C = 29 | Jul low C = 25 | Aug high C = 29 | Aug low C = 25 | Sep high C = 29 | Sep low C = 25 | Oct high C = 29 | Oct low C = 24 | Nov high C = 29 | Nov low C = 23 | Dec high C = 28 | Dec low C = 23 | Jan precipitation mm = 65 | Feb precipitation mm = 44 | Mar precipitation mm = 42 | Apr precipitation mm = 39 | May precipitation mm = 87 | Jun precipitation mm = 150 | Jul precipitation mm = 184 | Aug precipitation mm = 153 | Sep precipitation mm = 163 | Oct precipitation mm = 154 | Nov precipitation mm = 127 | Dec precipitation mm = 100 | Jan rain days = 13.9 | Feb rain days = 9.2 | Mar rain days = 11.0 | Apr rain days = 12.5 | May rain days = 19.6 | Jun rain days = 24.3 | Jul rain days = 26.5 | Aug rain days = 25.0 | Sep rain days = 25.5 | Oct rain days = 24.4 | Nov rain days = 19.4 | Dec rain days = 15.1 | source 1 = Meteoblue | url = https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/forecast/modelclimate/donsol_philippines_1714410 | title = Donsol, Sorsogon : Average Temperatures and Rainfall | publisher = Meteoblue | access-date = 29 December 2018}} | date = 29 December 2018

Demographics

| align= none | title= Population census of | 1903 = | 1918 = | 1939 = | 1948 = | 1960 = | 1970 = | 1975 = | 1980 = | 1990 = | 1995 = | 2000 = | 2007 = | 2010 = | 2015 = | 2020 = | 2024 = | 2030 = | footnote= Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Language

The majority of the population speak Eastern Miraya, an Albay Bikol language of Inland Bikol group of languages. The language is also spoken in four towns of Albay and some parts of Pilar and Castilla, Sorsogon. It is mutually intelligible with Western Miraya. People of Donsol can also speak and understand Tagalog or Filipino, the national language, and English.

Religion

The majority of the people adhere to Catholicism and each barangay has a patron saint and fiestas are held annually. Iglesia ni Cristo is the second largest religion of the population and has several local congregations in the municipality.

Economy

Tourism

Whale shark viewing

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Butanding_Whale_Shark_(Donsol,Sorsogon)(794278440).jpg" caption="''Butanding'' whale shark in Donsol, Sorsogon"] ::

Swimming with whale sharks, locally known as butanding, was featured as the Best Animal Encounter in Asia by Time magazine in 2004. Whale sharks can be seen between November and June, with presence peaking between February and May.

The presence of whale sharks in Donsol was known to residents for more than 100 years, but the locals believed these gentle giants were dangerous. This changed when on December 26, 1997, a group of scuba divers led by Romir Aglugub – a PADI diving instructor, discovered their presence, interacted with, and came in contact with the whale sharks. Even the members of Aglugub's diving group of Romir were having second thoughts about whether the fish is docile, until Aglugub led the way into the water and came in contact with the whale sharks. Copy of video footage taken by the group was passed on to the media and the WWF-Philippines. By 1998, Donsol became known as the “Whale Shark Capital of the World”.

Interaction with the whale sharks is regulated by the local Department of Tourism (DOT) office. WWF guidelines are generally observed to protect the sharks. Rules include limiting the number of swimmers per boat to six, prohibiting scuba divers, and requiring staying farther than three meters from the sharks.

In recent years the number of male sharks has out-numbered female sharks by 20:1. Generally, the females that are seen are large mature adults in the 7m ~ 9m range. Increasing numbers of sharks show propeller marks on their backs. Anecdotal evidence from local fishermen suggests that prop strikes are from fishing boats in the off-season, rather than from tourist boats during the main February–June tourist season.

In 2006 five sharks were found dead on the surface of the water, within 30 miles of Donsol. They had all been shot at close range. One shark had 13 bullet wounds to the head. The locals blame this on commercial fishermen shooting the sharks if they are caught in their nets. Manta rays, which are also protected in the Philippines, are also over-fished and sold in local markets in the Sorsogon area.

Groups from Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Philippines make up the largest groups of visitors. Most tourists book guided tours with dive centers familiar with whale shark interaction.

Other attractions

Donsol has a night firefly tour and shrimp-catching night tour available all-year round. Donsol also is becoming the best jump-off and base for divers to the Manta Bowl and San Miguel Island in Ticao due to the existence of better tourist facilities. Diving in Donsol itself is not allowed. Donsol also is a trekking and biking site, due mainly to the abundance of hilly areas and fields.

Education

There are two schools district offices which govern all educational institutions within the municipality. They oversee the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools. These are the:

  • Donsol East Schools District
  • Donsol West Schools District

Primary and elementary schools

  • Alin Elementary School
  • Banban Elementary School
  • Bandi Elementary School
  • Banuang-Gurang Elementary School
  • Baras Elementary School
  • Bayawas Elementary School
  • Cabugao Elementary School
  • Cristo Elementary School
  • Dancalan Elementary School
  • De Vera Elementary School
  • Donsol East Central School
  • Donsol West Central School
  • Gimagaan Elementary School
  • Girawan Elementary School
  • Gogon Elementary School
  • Gura Elementary School
  • Juan Adre Elementary School
  • Lourdes Elementary School
  • Mabini Elementary School
  • Malapoc Elementary School
  • Malinao Elementary School
  • Nagalon Elementary School
  • Ogod Elementary School
  • Ohana Life Academy
  • Old Maguisa Elementary School
  • Orange Elementary School
  • Pangpang Elementary School
  • Parina Elementary School
  • Pawala Elementary School
  • Pinamanaan Elementary School
  • Rawis Elementary School
  • San Antonio Elementary School
  • San Francisco Elementary School
  • San Isidro Elementary School
  • San Jose Elementary School
  • San Rafael Elementary School
  • San Ramon Elementary School
  • San Vicente Elementary School
  • Sevilla Elementary School
  • Sibago Elementary School
  • Sta. Cruz Elementary School
  • Suguian Elementary School
  • Tagbac Elementary School
  • Tinanogan Elementary School
  • Tongdol Elementary School
  • Tres Maria Elementary School
  • Tuba Elementary School
  • Vinisitahan Elementary School

Secondary schools

  • Banuang Gurang National High School
  • Cabugao National High School
  • Donsol National Comprehensive High School
  • Donsol National Comprehensive High School (Sta. Cruz Extension High School)
  • Donsol Vocational High School (Gimagaan)
  • Donsol Vocational High School (Gogon)
  • Donsol Vocational High School (Tupas)

References

References

  1. {{DILG detail
  2. (17 July 2025). "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority.
  3. "Information about Donsol town in Sorsogon Province".
  4. (January 15, 2021). "Masterlist of Schools".

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municipalities-of-sorsogon