History of Dingalan, Aurora, Philippines

Dingalan became a municipal district in June 1956 under R A 1536 with an

estimated population of 2,000 residents. It was a former sitio Barrio of San Luis,
Municipality of Baler Tayabas (Quezon) Province. Early settlers in their story
accounted, that Dumagat tribes abound in the place. According to them, the
names of most of the landmarks and places of the municipality were given by the
Dumagat. There was strong belief that "Dingalan" is a Dumagat word, which
means "By the River of Galan". True to its name the municipality is sitting on its
fifteen (15) rivers and creeks.
The logging and sawmill operation of the late Don Felipe Buencamino has
contributed to the migration of the different ethnic group and settlers for good in
the municipality as early as 1930. Since then, inter-marriages among the
Tagalog, Ilocano, Pampangos and Bicolanos had been practiced.
The municipalities part and role in the rich historical heritage of the country
cannot be over emphasized. Dingalan was occupied by the Japanese Forces
during World War II. The Japanese took over the operation of sawmills and cut
timber for the construction of their barracks and garrisons. Dingalan Bay was
used as one of their "exit points" when the retreated to the United States Armed
Forces in 1945.
Its position in the history was more of a significant in 1957, when the municipality
became the Training Ground for the South East Asia Treaty Organization
(SEATO), which included the United States 7th Fleet. Dingalan Bay also became
one of the sites of the RP-US Balikatan Military Exercises for three (3)
consecutive years from 1982-1984.
On June 16, 1962, Dingalan was converted into a municipality by virtue of the
enactment of Republic Act No. 3490.
This article was copied verbatim from the official website of
Dingalan: http://dingalanlgu.gov.ph