Daet

The name Daet was derived from the Bikol word dai-daitan which means, close to each other. Daet also originated from ancient Bicol term daet which, according to the first Bicol Spanish Dictionary Vocabulario de la Lengua Bicol authored by Fray Marcos de Lisboa, would mean "to make friend" or "to be reconciled".{{cite book |last1=Lisboa |first1=Maŕcos de |title=Vocabulario de la lengua Bicol: compuesto por Maŕcos de Lisboa. |publisher=Colegio de Santo Tomas |page=109 |url=https://quod.lib.umich.edu/p/philamer/aqa2025.0001.001/110}}

Daet was already an old community even before the discovery of the Philippines by Magellan in 1521. An ancient tomb unearthed in the Bicol region revealed references described in the Panayam manuscripts known to oriental history as corresponding to the first half of the thirteenth century. The early settlers were believed to be direct descendants of the group of datus who escaped from the court of Brunei to evade the enmity of a ruling rajah.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

In 1571, Juan de Salcedo, a Spanish conquistador arrived in the Bicol Region during an expedition in search of gold, particularly in the mountains of Camarines. He found Daet to be an already established and thriving settlement, with houses clustered together for safety and protection. In June 1583, the Franciscan Order confirmed the establishment of several doctrinas or mission settlements, including Daet.

Salcedo’s expedition marked the start of over 300 years of Spanish rule, combining religious conversion and colonial administration. In the early colonial period, Don Manuel de la Estrada, Marquis de Camarines, was exiled to the Philippines following a scandal in Spain. Settling in Daet, he oversaw the construction of key structures, including a church, stone bridges, and civic buildings. He also introduced abaca cultivation, which later became a key industry for the

Philippines.

During the Spanish period, Daet occasionally suffered from raids by Moro pirates, prompting the fortification of nearby communities such as Mercedes, which later became an independent municipality in 1948. At the time, Daet served as the capital of the District of Daet, which encompassed the territory now known as Camarines Norte. In 1908, the barrio of Basud was separated from Daet to form its own municipality.

In the final years of Spanish colonial rule, Daet became a center of resistance. Thirteen residents were executed by Spanish authorities during Holy Week in April 1898 for their involvement in revolutionary activities. These individuals are remembered as martyrs in local history. Before the end of Spanish rule, Filipino insurgents in Daet managed to besiege the local Spanish garrison.{{cite web |title=History – Camarines Norte |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116122326/https://camsnorte.com/history/ |website=web.archive.org |date=16 January 2025 |quote="A PLACE GILDED WITH GOLD"}}

The Philippine–American War had a minimal impact on this town. American forces arrived unopposed on March 4, 1900, while most of the rest of the Bicol Region had already been subdued by Major Thomas McNamee,{{Citation needed|date=May 2025|reason=The source for this section does not mention Thomas McNamee.}} operating under the overall command of General John C. Bates. This period laid the foundation for the present-day progress of the current generation.{{cite web |title=History – Camarines Norte |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116122326/https://camsnorte.com/history/ |website=web.archive.org |date=16 January 2025 |quote="THE AMERICAN PERIOD"}}

{{Main|Daet massacre}}

{{see also|Human rights abuses of the Marcos dictatorship}}

On the evening of September 23, 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos announced on television that he had placed the Philippines, including Daet, under martial law.{{Cite web |url=http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/the-fall-of-the-dictatorship/ |title=The Fall of the Dictatorship |website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines|language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903153904/http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/the-fall-of-the-dictatorship/ |archive-date=September 3, 2017 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 9, 2018 }} The marked the beginning of a 14-year period of one-man rule.{{Cite news |url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/146939-martial-law-explainer-victims-stories |title=Martial Law, the dark chapter in Philippine history |last=Francisco |first=Katerina |date=September 22, 2016 |work=Rappler|access-date=June 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923155126/https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/146939-martial-law-explainer-victims-stories |archive-date=September 23, 2016 |url-status=live |language=en}} Even though Martial Law was formally lifted on January 17, 1981, Marcos retained essentially all of his powers as dictator until he was deposed by the February 1986 People Power revolution.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1981/01/18/marcos-ends-martial-law-keeps-tight-grip/89533b86-8100-4713-9e77-6e4ebab6bacb/ |title=Marcos Ends Martial Law, Keeps Tight Grip |last=Tan |first=Ab |date=January 18, 1981 |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=September 9, 2018 |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}{{Cite web|url=http://cmfr-phil.org/media-ethics-responsibility/ethics/back-to-the-past-a-timeline-of-press-freedom/|title=Back to the Past: A timeline of press freedom|date=September 1, 2007|website=CMFR|access-date=March 2, 2018}}

On June 14, 1982 Marcos administration forces opened fire on protesters from different barrios, who were marching to demand an increase in copra prices, and to denounce "fake elections" and Cocofed. The government forces who fired on the protesters were led by a certain Capt. Malilay."[https://www.bantayog.org/martyrs-of-the-1981-daet-massacre/ Bantayog.org website - Martyrs of the 1981 Daet Massacre] Four people died on the spot, and at least 50 were injured. Two of those who were seriously wounded died two months later.{{Cite news|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|url=http://opinion.inquirer.net/97552/martial-law-massacres|title=Martial law massacres|last=Doyo|first=Ma. Ceres P.|author-link=Maria Ceres Doyo|access-date=2018-06-18|language=en}} This has come to be known as the "1981 Daet massacre," and four of those killed have since been honored by having their names engraved on the Wall of Remembrance at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani memorial.{{Cite web |url=http://www.bantayog.org/martyrs-of-the-1981-daet-massacre/ |title=Martyrs of the 1981 Daet Massacre |website=Bantayog ng mga Bayani |language=en-US |access-date=April 10, 2020}}

Daet is located in the southeastern part of Camarines Norte. It is bounded in the east by the town of Mercedes; in the south by the municipality of Basud; in southwest by San Lorenzo Ruiz town; in the north by Pacific Ocean; in the west by San Vicente and northwest by Talisay. The provincial capital covers a total land area of 5,861.48 hectares. The landscape of Daet is primarily composed of plains or flatlands, with no significant mountains or valleys. The average elevation of the area is approximately 10 meters above sea level.https://lgudaet.gov.ph/facts-and-figures/

{{Weather box

| location = Daet, Camarines Norte (1991–2020, extremes 1920–2023)

| single line = Y

| metric first = Y

| width = auto

| Jan record high C = 32.8

| Feb record high C = 34.3

| Mar record high C = 34.9

| Apr record high C = 36.0

| May record high C = 37.2

| Jun record high C = 37.0

| Jul record high C = 36.5

| Aug record high C = 36.7

| Sep record high C = 37.9

| Oct record high C = 35.4

| Nov record high C = 35.6

| Dec record high C = 36.0

|year record high C = 37.2

| Jan high C = 28.7

| Feb high C = 29.0

| Mar high C = 30.0

| Apr high C = 31.6

| May high C = 32.8

| Jun high C = 32.8

| Jul high C = 32.0

| Aug high C = 32.1

| Sep high C = 31.8

| Oct high C = 30.8

| Nov high C = 30.1

| Dec high C = 29.1

|year high C = 30.9

| Jan mean C = 26.1

| Feb mean C = 26.2

| Mar mean C = 27.0

| Apr mean C = 28.2

| May mean C = 29.0

| Jun mean C = 28.9

| Jul mean C = 28.4

| Aug mean C = 28.5

| Sep mean C = 28.2

| Oct mean C = 27.6

| Nov mean C = 27.5

| Dec mean C = 26.7

|year mean C = 27.7

| Jan low C = 23.6

| Feb low C = 23.3

| Mar low C = 24.0

| Apr low C = 24.9

| May low C = 25.3

| Jun low C = 25.1

| Jul low C = 24.8

| Aug low C = 24.9

| Sep low C = 24.5

| Oct low C = 24.4

| Nov low C = 24.8

| Dec low C = 24.3

|year low C = 24.5

| Jan record low C = 17.1

| Feb record low C = 15.1

| Mar record low C = 17.3

| Apr record low C = 16.3

| May record low C = 19.8

| Jun record low C = 20.6

| Jul record low C = 20.8

| Aug record low C = 19.8

| Sep record low C = 16.3

| Oct record low C = 18.2

| Nov record low C = 17.8

| Dec record low C = 15.8

|year record low C = 15.1

| rain colour = green

| Jan rain mm = 301.9

| Feb rain mm = 226.8

| Mar rain mm = 186.5

| Apr rain mm = 125.1

| May rain mm = 151.8

| Jun rain mm = 183.6

| Jul rain mm = 243.9

| Aug rain mm = 177.3

| Sep rain mm = 266.9

| Oct rain mm = 489.6

| Nov rain mm = 522.1

| Dec rain mm = 687.3

|year rain mm = 3562.8

| unit rain days = 1.0 mm

| Jan rain days = 19

| Feb rain days = 13

| Mar rain days = 12

| Apr rain days = 8

| May rain days = 10

| Jun rain days = 12

| Jul rain days = 15

| Aug rain days = 12

| Sep rain days = 15

| Oct rain days = 21

| Nov rain days = 23

| Dec rain days = 23

|year rain days = 183

| Jan humidity = 89

| Feb humidity = 89

| Mar humidity = 88

| Apr humidity = 88

| May humidity = 87

| Jun humidity = 88

| Jul humidity = 89

| Aug humidity = 89

| Sep humidity = 90

| Oct humidity = 89

| Nov humidity = 90

| Dec humidity = 90

|year humidity = 89

| source 1 = PAGASA

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181013042258/https://pubfiles.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/pagasaweb/files/cad/CLIMATOLOGICAL%20NORMALS%20%281991-2020%29/DAET.pdf

| archive-date = October 13, 2018

| url = https://pubfiles.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/pagasaweb/files/cad/CLIMATOLOGICAL%20NORMALS%20%281991-2020%29/DAET.pdf

| title = Daet, Camarines Norte Climatological Normal Values

| publisher = Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration

| access-date = October 13, 2018}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181013042341/https://pubfiles.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/pagasaweb/files/cad/CLIMATOLOGICAL%20EXTREMES%20%28as%20of%202023%29/Daet.pdf

| archive-date = October 13, 2018

| url = https://pubfiles.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/pagasaweb/files/cad/CLIMATOLOGICAL%20EXTREMES%20%28as%20of%202023%29/Daet.pdf

| title = Daet, Camarines Norte Climatological Extremes

| publisher = Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration

| access-date = October 13, 2018}}

}}

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Daet is politically subdivided into 25 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.https://lgudaet.gov.ph/facts-and-figures/

File:Daet Barangay Map.png

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| 1975 = {{PH census population|1975}}

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| 1995 = {{PH census population|1995}}

| 2000 = {{PH census population|2000}}

| 2007 = {{PH census population|2007}}

| 2010 = {{PH census population|2010}}

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| 2025 =

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| footnote= Source: Philippine Statistics Authority{{PH census|2015}}{{PH census|2010}}{{PH census|2007}}{{LWUA population data}}

}}

In the 2020 census, the population of Daet, Camarines Norte, was 111,700 people,{{PH census|current}} with a density of {{convert|{{sigfig|111,700/46.00|2}}|PD/km2|disp=or}}.

{{PH poverty incidence}}

The municipality is rich in mineral resources such as diatomaceous earth (DE) or commonly called white clay. This is one of the income generating industries of the municipality. This non-metallic mineral has a total approximate reserve of 1,289,600 metric tons.

The municipality also has a viable source of sand and gravel. It is being extracted by mining concessionaires.

As the center of commercial activities and trade in Camarines Norte, the capital sustains major commercial bank and savings bank in the province to provide its population ease in accessibility of financing and convenience in business.

• Banco de Oro (BDO Unibank, Inc.)
• Landbank of the Philippines
• Philippine National Bank (PNB)
• Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
• Metrobank
• PSBank
• EastWest Bank
• Legazpi Savings Bank
• Development Bank of the Philippines
• Chinabank

File:SM City Daet, Cam Norte, May 2024.jpg

Emulating the city planning and zone development of Naga City as one of its primary market catchment, the local government of Daet intends to maintain its central area for commercial activities and public events in the convergence of its primary roads where the boundaries of Barangay 5, Barangay 6, Barangay 4, and Barangay 8 meet.

Another central business district in development is located along the four-lane national road in barangay Lag-on where SM City Daet is situated in front of the central bus terminal near a local college foundation and a road going to the Cathedral of Daet.

The cityhood process for Daet began in 2011.{{cite web |title=Daet unfolds big projects on road map to cityhood |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/35799/daet-unfolds-big-projects-on-road-map-to-cityhood|publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |access-date=24 March 2025}} Due to its size, petitions are made to expand it for the municipality to satisfy the requirements for Cityhood.

Daet is home to well-known tertiary education institutions in the province serving most of the youth sector quality learning experience and competitive training.

• University of Camarines Norte
• La Consolacion College Daet
• Mabini Colleges, Inc.
• Our Lady of Lourdes College Foundation, Inc.
• AMA Computer Learning Center (ACLC College) Daet

{{clear left}}

Daet as a local government unit is headed by a mayor, vice mayor, and ten councilors. It has administrative and territorial jurisdiction over its 25 component barangay units, each with their own chairman or Punong Barangay as local government chief. The current municipal mayor of Daet is Hon. Benito S. Ochoa.

The outer ring of the seal bears the name of the local government unit along with its provincial affiliation. Within it, a gear symbolizes the 25 component barangay units, representing progress in action. The gear is colored green to signify productivity. Inside, the blue and red hues reflect the national colors of the Philippines, underscoring patriotism and national pride. At the heart of the seal stands the first monument ever erected in honor of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. This iconic landmark not only commemorates the national hero but also embodies the proud heritage and distinct identity of the people of Daet.

{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2022}}

File:Welcome to daet.jpg

Transportation in Daet is primarily managed by the Department of Transportation. Road and Air transportation are the only available modes of transportation in Daet. Road transportation is the primary mode of transportation.

The town is linked to other parts of the Philippines by Maharlika Highway (N621), which has a section in Daet with a total length of 25.50 kilometers, stretching from the boundary of the Municipality of Daet to the Municipality of Basud in Barangay Tuaca.

Most of its major highway are four lane roads providing wider channel for variety of transport vehicles and cargo in and out the province.

• Froilan Pimentel Avenue - central avenue forming the primary junction of north and south district
• Governor Panotes Avenue - main thoroughfare linking the municipality of Mercedes to Daet
• Bagasbas Road - eastern highway connecting Gahonon, Borabod, and Bagasbas to the center of Daet
• Vinzons Avenue - links the diversion road to the central business districts of Daet
• Diversion Road - traverses Talisay from north through Lag-on and to south from Basud via Pamorangon
• Cory Aquino Boulevard - connects Mercedes, Daet, Talisay and Vinzons via a coastal road along Bagasbas

The barangays of the municipality are served by Levels I, II, and III water supply systems. The Camarines Norte Water District (CNWD) and PrimeWater is the main water supplier in Daet. Additionally, some barangays and properties without coverage rely on water wells(shallow, deep or dug)

Daet is being served by electric power, formerly by the defunct Hidalgo Electric Enterprise, now by the National Power Corporation and National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) through the Camarines Norte Electric Cooperative (CANORECO).

Telecommunications in Daet is managed by the National Telecommunications Commission. There are three satellites of Smart, Globe and DITO.

While postal mail services are run by the Philippine Postal Corporation. There is only one postal mail service office in Daet, which is located in Barangay Camambugan.

Daet is one of the peaceful towns in the Bicol Region. Criminality and juvenile delinquency are minimal in spite of the fact that it is the urban center of the Province of Camarines Norte. The average monthly crime rate for the period January to December of 2018 is 53.35 %.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) provides the police service of Daet. The main police headquarter is located in barangay Dogongan. The Daet Police Station is located in barangay Pamorangon. Sub- stations are situated in Barangay Bagasbas, Barangay VI and in Barangay Camambugan at the Central Terminal Complex Compound. The Barangay Tanods of the twenty five (25) barangay augment the peace keeping force and help in the maintenance of peace and order in the area.

As of 2019, Daet had an actual police force of 91. Police force to population ratio is 1:1,235. The ideal police population ratio is 1:1000 or 1 police to 1000 population. It shows that there is a need to augment the police force to twenty one (21) more uniformed men to met the standard requirement.https://lgudaet.gov.ph/facts-and-figures/

{{more citations needed|section|date=July 2022}}

Daet is a famous surfing and kiteboarding spot, as it has a long stretch of beach in Bagasbas. Because of the attention it has gotten from the local surfing community, the Philippine Department of Tourism turned it into a local accredited surfing spot.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080212075055/http://www.galapinoy.com/2007/06/05/a-trip-to-daet-and-the-calaguas-islands-in-camarines-norte/ A trip to Daet and the Calaguas Islands in Camarines Norte], galapinoy.com. Accessed July 31, 2022.

Aside from being a spot for surfing and kiteboarding, the Calaguas group of islands, in the jurisdiction of Vinzons, to its north has garnered attention from local and foreign tourists alike. The islands can be considered virgin as no resorts have been created there yet.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

File:Panorama of Bagasbas Beach.jpg

• University of Camarines Norte
• Central Plaza Mall (In Lag-On)
• Puregold Daet
• Bagasbas Beach
• Bagasbas Airport
• Daet Elevated Plaza
• SM Savemore Daet
• Cory Aquino Boulevard, the longest boulevard in the Philippines.
• SM City Daet{{Cite web|url=https://www.smsupermalls.com/mall-directory/sm-city-daet/information/|title=SM City Daet}} (located in Lag-on) - The 3rd SM mall in Bicol region and 77th mall of SM Supermalls in the Philippines{{Cite web|url=https://www.smprime.com/company-releases/sm-prime-open-new-mall-daet-camarines-norte|title=SM Prime to Open New Mall in Daet, Camarines Norte | SM Prime}}

• Most Holy Trinity Cathedral, it was built and was inaugurated in 1984. It is also the cathedral of the Diocese of Daet
• Parroquia de San Juan Bautista, established in 1611, it is one of the first church in Camarines Norte in the region built by the Franciscan Friars.
• Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary Parish, in Lag-on
• Our Lady Of Peñafrancia Parish in Moreno
• Divine Mercy Parish in Alawihao

File:Jose Rizal's First Monument, Daet, Cam Norte, May 2024.jpg.]]

• 1st Rizal Monument - The first monument in honor of a Filipino hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Its foundation was made of mortars and boulders from the demolished old Spanish jail in Daet. Lt. Col. Antonio Sanz and Lt. Col. Ildefonso Alegre of Philippine Revolutionary Army initiated the construction of the monument which was unveiled on December 20, 1898.
• Provincial Capitol
• Old Daet Municipal Building
• Daet Elevated Town Plaza
• Daet Municipal Building
• President Cory Aquino Boulevard (Bagasbas Boulevard)
• Bagasbas Airport — located near the beach at barangay Bagasbas

File:Daet Heritage Center, Cam Norte, May 2024.jpg

The Pineapple Festival (or "Pinyasan" as it is called by the locals) is considered to be the most colorful festivals in Camarines Norte. The festival started in 1992, and is about the province's prime agricultural product, which is the "Queen of All Pineapple" pineapple. Noted for its sweetness and flavor, this kind of pineapple is produced only in Camarines Norte, thereby making it a specialty in the province. The festival goes on for about 10 days, and several events are held in the municipality. The festival aims to promote the culture of Daet and its citizens. The Pineapple Festival is held every June 22–26 annually, initiated by Mayor Tito Sarte Sarion.

The Bantayog Festival celebrates the founding of Camarines Norte. As of 2025, it has been 107 years since the province has become independent, since March 10, 1917, when Ambos Camarines (At that time Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur were one province) was split from two. This festival promotes the province as one which has unnoticed potential in the fields of tourism and commerce, and also the rich culture and hospitality of the people of Camarines Norte. The Bantayog Festival is held every March or April annually. It was launched in April 1982.

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Manuel Conde, National Artist of the Philippines for Film (2009)
• Ricky Lee, National Artist of the Philippines for Film and Broadcast Arts (2022)
• Robin Padilla, Actor
• Ambet Nabus, Radio Anchor, Comedian and Show Business Reporter
• Joross Gamboa, TV Actor
• Precious Paula Nicole, Drag Performer, Winner of Drag Race Philippines (Season 1)

{{div col end}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20170301182520/http://www.lgudaet.com/ Municipality of Daet]
• [{{NSCB detail}} Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081120024509/http://www.census.gov.ph/data/census2007/index.html Philippine Census Information]

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Daet

|Northeast = Philippine Sea

|East = Mercedes

|South = Basud

|Southwest = San Lorenzo Ruiz

|West = San Vicente

|Northwest = Talisay

}}

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