History/Status of Camiguin Island
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Post-Independence Years: 1948-1951

From 1948 to 1951, Mt. Hibok-Hibok constantly rumbled and smoked. Its minor eruption in 1948 caused little damage and loss of life. In 1949, its eruption caused 79 deaths due to landslides. In the morning of December 4, 1951, the volcano erupted again. This, time, however, it unleashed boiling lava, poisonous gases, and landslides enough to destroy nearly 19 squares kilometers of land particularly in Mambajao.

All in all, over 3,000 people were killed.Before the eruption of Mt. Hibok-Hibok in 1951, the population of Camiguin had reach 69,000. After the eruption, the population was reduced to about 34,000 due to massive out-migration.

Political Subdivision

Politically, Camiguin Island used to be a part of Misamis Oriental. It became a separate province in 1968. The province consists of five (5) municipalities; namely Mambajao, the capital town, Mahinog, Guinsiliban, Sagay, and Catarman.

Population

Language/Dialect

Dialects spoken in Camiguin are Cebuano and Hiligaynon, but a few people in Sagay and Guinsiliban still speak the old Manobo tribe dialect, “Kinamiguing”.

Major Industries

Main occupation of the people is fishing and some are engaged in farming. Coconut is the major production as far as sources of income is concerned. Other plantation are abaca, rice, mangoes, lanzones and other fruit trees. Small cottage industries are now increasing in number.

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