Dao, Capiz

Dao
Municipality
Municipality of Dao
Church of Dao (St. Thomas of Villanova Parish Church)
Flag Seal
Etymology: Dao
Map of Capiz with Dao highlighted
Interactive map of Dao
Dao Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 11°23′40″N122°41′09″E / 11.39444°N 122.68583°E / 11.39444; 122.68583
Country	Philippines
Region	Western Visayas
Province	Capiz
District	2nd district
Barangays	20 (see Barangays)
Government   [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
•  Mayor	Jose Jimbo D. Barruela (1Capiz)
•  Vice Mayor	Dominico A. Daños, Jr. (1Capiz)
•  Representative	Jane T. Castro (Lakas)
•  Municipal Council	Members Kathylynn Mae B. Fuentes Erwin Rommel J. Andrada Joan B. Adonay Nelson E. Estialbo, Jr. Norberto P. Francisco Aaron M. Carillo Elmer B. Magbanua
•  Electorate	23,072 voters (2025)
Area [2]
• Total	88.64 km2 (34.22 sq mi)
Elevation	34 m (112 ft)
Highest elevation	291 m (955 ft)
Lowest elevation	5 m (16 ft)
Population  (2024 census) [3]
• Total	34,555
• Density	389.8/km2 (1,010/sq mi)
•  Households	8,333
Economy
•  Income class	4th municipal income class
•  Poverty incidence	13.3 % (2021) [4]
•  Revenue	₱ 174.1 million (2022)
•  Assets	₱ 192.6 million (2022)
•  Expenditure	₱ 154.2 million (2022)
•  Liabilities	₱ 57.44 million (2022)
Service provider
• Electricity	Capiz Electric Cooperative (CAPELCO)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	5810
PSGC	061902000
IDD  :  area code	+63 (0)36
Native languages	Capisnon Hiligaynon Tagalog
Website	www.dao.gov.ph

Dao, officially the Municipality of Dao (Capiznon/Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Dao; Tagalog : Bayan ng Dao), is a municipality in the province of Capiz, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 34,555 people. ^[5]

Etymology

The name Dao came from a tall tree that grew in large numbers near the river. Local accounts say early leaders Isada and Paro chose the site after finding a large dao tree by the water.

History

Dao is one of the earliest communities in Capiz. Older writings call it Divingdin and Mandruga, once a visita linked to the parish in Panay, the first place on the island reached by Spanish missionaries.

When Dumalag became a town in 1596, Dao was placed under it as a barrio. It became independent again on February 29, 1836 through a decree of Governor General Pedro A. Salazar and was placed under the patronage of Santo Tomas de Villanueva.

It was incorporated as a municipality following the founding of the Capiz Province in 1901. It was invaded by the Japanese 41st Infantry Regiment as part of their Panay operation on 16 April 1942. ^[6] In 1957, the barrio of Nasuli-B was renamed to Santo Tomas. ^[7]

The community developed through its rich soil, steady river systems and a climate that supported farming throughout the year.

Geography

Dao is 32 kilometres (20 mi) from Roxas City.

Barangays

Dao is politically subdivided into 20 barangays.  ^[8] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

• Aganan
• Agtambi
• Agtanguay
• Balucuan
• Bita
• Centro
• Daplas
• Duyoc
• Ilas Sur
• Lacaron
• Malonoy
• Manhoy
• Mapulang Bato
• Matagnop
• Nasunogan
• Poblacion Ilawod
• Poblacion Ilaya
• Quinabcaban
• Quinayuya
• San Agustin (Ilas Norte)

Climate

Climate data for Dao, Capiz
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	27 (81)	28 (82)	29 (84)	31 (88)	32 (90)	31 (88)	30 (86)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	27 (81)	29 (85)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	23 (73)	23 (73)	23 (73)	24 (75)	25 (77)	25 (77)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	24 (75)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	61 (2.4)	39 (1.5)	46 (1.8)	48 (1.9)	90 (3.5)	144 (5.7)	152 (6.0)	145 (5.7)	163 (6.4)	160 (6.3)	120 (4.7)	90 (3.5)	1,258 (49.4)
Average rainy days	12.3	9.0	9.9	10.0	18.5	25.0	27.4	26.0	25.9	24.9	17.9	14.2	221
Source: Meteoblue (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally) [9]

Demographics

Population census of Dao

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	6,694	—
1918	17,116	+6.46%
1939	13,886	−0.99%
1948	13,706	−0.14%
1960	16,624	+1.62%
1970	18,535	+1.09%
1975	21,052	+2.59%
1980	23,921	+2.59%
1990	29,156	+2.00%
1995	29,266	+0.07%
2000	30,623	+0.98%
2007	31,420	+0.36%
2010	31,911	+0.57%
2015	32,496	+0.35%
2020	33,842	+0.86%
2024	34,555	+0.50%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

In the 2024 census, the population of Dao was 34,555 people, ^[15] with a density of 390 inhabitants per square kilometre or 1,000 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Dao

10

20

30

40

50

60

2000
55.70

2003
33.95

2006
30.20

2009
26.20

2012
28.22

2015
17.60

2018
6.58

2021
13.30

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority ^{[16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23]}

Culture

Attractions

Dao has sites that are well known among natives and are tourist spots alike. ^[24] These include:

• Sto. Tomas de Villanueva - local parish church
• Lolets Eco Park - a natural park with a resort

Festivities

The people of Dao celebrate festivals, sometimes along with other regions of the province, in events like:

• Pasalamat Festival
• Halaran Festival, although mostly held in Roxas City ^[25]

Education

The Dao Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools. ^[26]

Primary and elementary schools

• Agtambi Primary School
• Agtanguay Elementary School
• Alfonso E. Espiritu Elementary School
• Andres E. Quintia Sr. Elementary School
• Antonio Abad Elementary School
• Bita Primary School
• Centro Primary School
• Dao Central School
• Daplas Primary School
• Doane Baptist Kindergarten School
• Doroteo Eslaban, Sr. Elementary School
• Nicanor Escutin Elementary School
• Ilas Norte Elementary School
• Lacaron Elementary School
• Malonoy Elementary School
• Manhoy Elementary School
• Mapulang Bato Primary School
• Matagnop Elementary School
• Quinayuya Elementary School
• Tabuc Elementary School
• Wonderfully Made Learning Center

Secondary schools

• Arturo Jugo National High School
• Dao National High School
• Luis Escutin National High School
• Malonoy National High School

Notable personalities

• Jocelyn Bolante (b. 1951), Politician, former undersecretary

References

1.   Municipality of Dao | (DILG)
2. "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN   0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
3. "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
4. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
5. "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
6. "World War 2 Related Events for April 16, 1942". ww2timelines.com. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
7. "An Act Changing the Name of the Barrio of Nasuli-B in the Municipality of Dao, Province of Antique, to Santo Tomas". LawPH.com. Archived from the original on 2012-05-15. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
8. "Province: Capiz". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 25 August 2025.
9. "Dao: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
10. "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
11. Census of Population (2015). "Region VI (Western Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 20 June 2016.
12. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VI (Western Visayas)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office . Retrieved 29 June 2016.
13. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region VI (Western Visayas)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
14. "Province of Capiz". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
15. "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
16. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
17. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
18. "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
19. "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
20. "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
21. "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
22. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
23. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
24. Capiz Official Website - http://capiz.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49&Itemid=71
25. Halaran Festival - https://www.hellotravel.com/events/halaran-festival
26. "Masterlist of Schools" (PDF). Department of Education. January 15, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2025.

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information