Donsol

Last updated
Donsol
Municipality
Municipality of Donsol
Donsol -Philippines - panoramio.jpg
Port of Donsol
Flag of Donsol, Sorsogon.png
Flag
Donsol Sorsogon.png
Seal
Nickname: 
Whale Shark Tourism Capital of the Philippines
Ph locator sorsogon donsol.png
Map of Sorsogon with Donsol highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Donsol
Philippines location map (square).svg
Red pog.svg
Donsol
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 12°54′30″N123°35′53″E / 12.9083°N 123.5981°E / 12.9083; 123.5981
Country Philippines
Region Bicol Region
Province Sorsogon
District 1st district
Founded 1668
Barangays 51 (see Barangays)
Government
  [1]
 • Type Sangguniang Bayan
 •  Mayor Ralph Walter Lubiano
 •  Vice Mayor Ma. Christiana R. Abetria
 •  Representative Dette Escudero
 •  Municipal Council
Members
  • Ma. Christiana R. Abetria
  • Teodoro B. de Guzman
  • Nicolas A. Nato
  • Mary Antoinette G. Aquino
  • Helene A. Garay
  • Argel D. Hernandez
  • Jerome R. Alcantara II
  • Victor V. Alim
 •  Electorate 32,811 voters (2025)
Area
[2]
 • Total
156.20 km2 (60.31 sq mi)
Elevation
13 m (43 ft)
Highest elevation
84 m (276 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2024 census) [3]
 • Total
51,781
 • Density331.50/km2 (858.59/sq mi)
 •  Households
11,262
Demonym Donsolanon
Economy
 •  Income class 3rd municipal income class
 •  Poverty incidence
37.54
% (2021) [4]
 •  Revenue ₱ 250.2 million (2022)
 •  Assets ₱ 723.1 million (2022)
 •  Expenditure ₱ 194.5 million (2022)
 •  Liabilities ₱ 284.2 million (2022)
Service provider
 • ElectricitySorsogon 2 Electric Cooperative (SORECO 2)
Time zone UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
4715
PSGC
0506207000
IDD  :  area code  +63 (0)56
Native languages

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. [5]

Contents

It is known for whale shark encounters and its rich marine biodiversity, offering activities like snorkeling, diving, and wildlife exploration. [6]

Geography

Donsol is 66 kilometres (41 mi) from Sorsogon City, 571 kilometres (355 mi) from Manila, and 94 kilometres (58 mi) 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

Climate data for Donsol, Sorsogon
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)27
(81)		28
(82)		29
(84)		31
(88)		31
(88)		30
(86)		29
(84)		29
(84)		29
(84)		29
(84)		29
(84)		28
(82)		29
(84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)22
(72)		21
(70)		22
(72)		23
(73)		24
(75)		25
(77)		25
(77)		25
(77)		25
(77)		24
(75)		23
(73)		23
(73)		24
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches)65
(2.6)		44
(1.7)		42
(1.7)		39
(1.5)		87
(3.4)		150
(5.9)		184
(7.2)		153
(6.0)		163
(6.4)		154
(6.1)		127
(5.0)		100
(3.9)		1,308
(51.4)
Average rainy days13.99.211.012.519.624.326.525.025.524.419.415.1226.4
Source: Meteoblue [7]

Demographics

Population census of Donsol
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 6,685—    
1918 10,656+3.16%
1939 18,050+2.54%
1948 20,681+1.52%
1960 23,703+1.14%
1970 30,548+2.57%
1975 32,310+1.13%
1980 33,785+0.90%
1990 33,159−0.19%
1995 36,013+1.56%
2000 39,995+2.27%
2007 43,996+1.32%
2010 47,563+2.88%
2015 49,711+0.84%
2020 50,281+0.24%
2024 51,781+0.71%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

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

Poverty incidence of Donsol

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
2000
65.14
2003
68.73
2006
54.60
2009
47.30
2012
44.13
2015
46.80
2018
37.10
2021
37.54

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]

Tourism

Whale shark viewing

Butanding whale shark in Donsol, Sorsogon Butanding Whale Shark (Donsol, Sorsogon) (794278440).jpg
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. [21] These are the:

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

  1. ↑   Municipality of Donsol | (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. ↑ "Information about Donsol town in Sorsogon Province". guidetothephilippines.ph. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Donsol, Sorsogon : Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  8. ↑ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  9. ↑ Census of Population (2015). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  10. ↑ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region V (Bicol Region)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office . Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  11. ↑ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  12. ↑ "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  13. ↑ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  15. ↑ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
  16. ↑ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
  17. ↑ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
  18. ↑ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
  19. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  20. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  21. ↑ "Masterlist of Schools" (PDF). Department of Education. January 15, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
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