Sadanga (), officially the Municipality of Sadanga is a municipality in the province of Mountain Province, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 7,781 people.

The municipality is the only place in the world where the Sinadanga language is used. The language is highly significant in the Sinadanga culture, making its conservation an utmost importance to the survival of the Sinadanga people's traditions.

History

Chico River Dam Project

Sadanga was one of several municipalities in Mountain Province which would have been flooded by the Chico River Dam Project during the Marcos dictatorship, alongside Bauko, Bontoc, Sabangan, Sagada, and parts of Barlig. However, the indigenous peoples of Kalinga Province and Mountain Province resisted the project and when hostilities resulted in the murder of Macli-ing Dulag, the project became unpopular and was abandoned before Marcos was ousted by the 1986 People Power Revolution.

Geography

Sadanga is situated from the provincial capital Bontoc, and from the country's capital city of Manila.

Barangays

Sadanga is politically subdivided into 8 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

  • Anabel
  • Bekigan
  • Belwang
  • Betwagan
  • Demang
  • Poblacion
  • Sacasacan
  • Saclit

Climate

Demographics

Economy

Government

Local government

Sadanga, belonging to the lone congressional district of the province of Mountain Province, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

Elected officials

<!--NOTE: Update needed by June 30, 2022 after oath-taking of the declared winners in the May 9, 2022 local elections.-->

Members of the Municipal Council (2019–2022):

  • Congressman: Maximo Y. Dalog Jr.
  • Mayor: Gabino P. Ganggangan
  • Vice-Mayor: Albert T. Ayao-ao
  • Councilors:
  • Daniel G. Dawadeo
  • Juliet K. Chinalpan
  • Napoleon P. Sarang-ey
  • Dominga P. Chaluyen
  • Rufino C. Chakiwag
  • Ruben P. Atiwen
  • Moises F. Agmeyeng
  • Dimas A. Feng-ag

Culture

The town has its indigenous council of elders who make decisions for the indigenous Isadanga people. The Isadanga have their own language, called the Sinadanga, which is preserved by the people themselves by using it in homes, schools, and everyday life more than the national language. The Sinadanga language is one of the hardest languages to learn from the Cordilleras. The people also have their own back-strap loom weaving culture, epic chants for planting and harvesting rice, rice terracing practices, indigenous rituals to the gods such as the pumatay (ritual where pawid stalks are burnt while cooking meat, then the food is served to the gods), and vernacular house architecture.

Environment

The environment of Sadanga is serene and clear from garbage as cleanliness for the environment is a norm in Sadanga culture. Sadanga is home to the Fowa-As falls, a sacred water source. Littering and any other form of destruction within the site, and the entire valley in general, is strictly prohibited.

Primary and elementary schools

  • Anabel Elementary School
  • Bekigan Elementary School
  • Belwang Elementary School
  • Betwagan Elementary School
  • Demang Elementary School
  • Sacasacan Elementary School
  • Saclit Elementary School
  • Sadanga Central School

Secondary schools

  • Belwang National High School
  • Betwagan National High School
  • Saclit National High School
  • Sadanga National Technical Vocational and Skills Training High School

Sister cities

  • Quezon City, since October 2004

References

  • [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
  • Philippine Census Information