Higatangan Island (11°34′0″N 124°16′0″E) is under jurisdiction of Naval Municipality and composed of two Barangays, The Barangay Mabini and Barangay Libertad that is separated by a narrow channel located in the north west tip of Leyte. The name Higatangan is derived from the word “atangan” meaning to wait for. Old folks say that the place was where the pirates ambush approaching ships laden with goods and also the place where the Moros lay in wait for their enemies going to Sumbul (Naval).
The island has several white beaches and blessed with exotic rock formations. From the town of Naval, Brgy. Mabini which was named in memory of Apolinario Mabini, there is a 200-meter white sand bar that stretches out like a giant tongue. Because the current surrounding the sand bar is strong, some people lost their lives, some attribute this as “alay-buhay” to placate the gods. The unnaturally beautiful rock formations along the south coast were said to be home to supernatural beings. There were cases that a sudden big wave or a gush of wind rock the boat when passengers were being noisy.
President Marcos temporarily took refuge during WWII on this little island, that’s why the highest point on the island (46m) is still called Marcos Hill to this day and a light house is erected on it to guide boat men. It is said that this is where Marcos received his divine sign that he was destined to be a president of the Philippines. The truth behind his stay is a source of controversy for the Biliranons. The long held belief was that it was Fidel Limpiado member of a prominent clan who hid Marcos and his companions against the Japanese patrollers. However Professor Rolando Borrinaga, a known Philippine historian disproves that story. His long and arduous research give way to the fact that it was a simple skipper named Man Dising from Caray-Caray Biliran, who helped Marcos in hiding . (READ: Divining the presidency on Higatangan Island)
Higatangan Island is a simple fishing village, blessed with coconut trees and abundance of fish. For many decades this island was just a pretty place along the way riding a boat from Naval-Cebu-Naval. Recent years have brought a number of tourists to this place, with its white beaches, crystal clear waters, shifting sand bar, rock formations, light house and the coconut trees that keep the place cool and breezy; it is fast being the number one destination in Biliran province.
The historic island is said to be where the late Ferdinand Marcos took refuge when his boat capsized during the World War II. He was rescued by a local fisherman named Fidel Limpiado, Sr.,When Marcos became president of the Republic; he went back to Higatangan Island with his wife Imelda and daughter Irene to visit Limpiado. Grateful as he was to Limpiado for saving his life, he had given the island infrastructures such as a school, a 9 kilometer circumferential road, post office, clinic and four windmill-powered WATER SYSTEMS. To date, a hill on the island still remains to be called “Marcos Hill.”
Higatangan Island is memorable to the late Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos. On November 1943, Fidel Limpiado and his family provided refuge and saved the life of Marcos, a guerilla leader. Together with his eldest son Ranulfo, they ferried Marcos from Higatangan to Manorabe, Sorsogon in a sailboat, eluding Japanese Navy patrols. They were, however, caught in a typhoon and were stranded in Camandag, Sto. Nino in Samar. The rest is history. On May 10, 1978, a grateful Marcos, now president of the Republic, together with First Lady Imelda Marcos and daughter Irene, visited Fidel and granted his requests. The island was declared as a tourist spot. Higatangan High School was opened immediately and a 9-km. circumferential road, post office, medical clinic and 4 windmill-powered water systems were also built. Today, a hill is named after the late president and it offers a panoramic view of Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Masbate.
In 1957, the barrio of Higatangan was abolished, and its sitios of Libertad and Mabini were converted into barrios.
In 2003, the Biliran Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BILECO) constructed electric distribution lines in the island of Higatangan, a potential tourist spot island in the Municipality of Naval, Biliran Province. The construction was mainly funded from a government subsidy through the National Electrification Administration (NEA).
In 2006, the National Power Corporation-Small Power Utility Group (NPC-SPUG) provided a generator set to start the electric distribution operation in the island, as per Memorandum of Agreement with BILECO and LGU Naval. After six (6) years of operation, BILECO is faced with serious challenges in continuing its operation considering the steadily increasing fuel prices coupled with the high maintenance cost of existing generator. BILECO and its Member-Consumer-Owners (MCOs) in the island are burdened by high System Losses and high generation rates,
October 21, 2006 marked one of BILECO’s energization milestone after it obtained a 100% barangay energization. It concluded with the ceremonial switch-on of two island barangays of Mabini and Libertad in Higatangan Island, Naval.
In 2017, the Naval local government launched the Higatangan Summer Festival that had drawn more than 4,000 tourists coming from the region and some parts of Luzon and Visayas in the past two years.
Year 2018, The equipment for the Microgrid Project in Higatangan island successfully arrived from South Korea to Naval last December 21 after going through the tedious government process for importation.
The PHP15-million equipment was donated by the South Korean government and Korean firm ELT Co., Ltd. The project is composed of photovoltaic panels, power conditioning system, diesel generator and energy storage system. Higatangan Island is the second beneficiary of a microgrid project from South Korea after Romblon
In April 2018, the local government unveiled the underwater chapel named “Capilla del Mar”, featuring a 12-foot cross and eight benches, symbolizing the eight towns of Biliran province. (PNA)
MAY 30, 2021 The Department of Public Works and Highways – Biliran District Engineering Office (DPWH-BDEO) has started construction of the P42.8 M access road leading to Higatangan Lighthouse, Higatangan Island in Naval town, according to a report by Philippine Information Agency.
The project involves road opening and concreting of 1.3-kilometer two-lane road including drainage and slope protection structure.
Despite the coral sediments under the soil and other difficulties, both the Project Engineer and the contractor remain confident to successfully finish the project on or before the target date. This project is targeted to be completed on October 6, 2021.
The completion of this project will make it easier for both local and foreign tourists to visit the lighthouse and fully enjoy the scenic view. The accessibility to the light house will add to Higatangan’s potential as a prime tourist destination. This also offers a safe path for farmers and livestock. From almost an hour walking time, travel time will be reduced to just 10-15 minutes thru vehicle ride.
In 2021, the service road leading to the lighthouse was paved. Higatangan (or Gigatangan) Island is a small island just off the northwestern tip of Leyte; Mabini is the only village on the island. Despite its proximity to Leyte the island is attached to the municipality of Naval on Biliran. Located near the center of the island. Site open, tower reported open. PCG-0281; Admiralty F2413; NGA 15040.
Location
Mabini is situated at approximately 11.5608, 124.2661, in the island of Higatangan. Elevation at these coordinates is estimated at 28.4 meters or 93.2 feet above mean sea level.
Barangay Mabini started as a small settlement with a few families converging in one place in search of livelihood so that there will be something to eat for the members of the Family.