Delfin Albano

Delfin Albano is a municipality situated in the province of Isabela, Philippines. It officially adopted its current name on November 14, 1982, through Batas Pambansa Blg. 291, in honor of Congressman Delfin Albano. Prior to this renaming, the municipality was known as Magsaysay, a name bestowed in 1957.

History and Renaming

The municipality's origins trace back to June 22, 1957, when Republic Act No. 2009 was enacted. This act separated numerous barrios and sitios from the municipality of Tumauini to form the new municipality of Magsaysay. The name Magsaysay was chosen to commemorate President Ramon Magsaysay, who had passed away two months prior. In 1982, a legislative effort began to change the municipality's name from Magsaysay to Delfin Albano. This change was intended to honor Delfin Albano, who had been instrumental in the creation of the municipality by authoring the law that established it. The formal celebration and installation of the name Delfin Albano took place on October 1, 1983.

Geography and Demographics

Delfin Albano is geographically located northwest of Ilagan City, the provincial capital of Isabela. It is bordered by Santo Tomas to the north, the Cagayan River (shared with Tumauini) to the east, Quezon and Mallig to the west, and Quirino, Ilagan City, and the Mallig River to the south. The municipality spans a total land area of 18,900 hectares, which is divided into thirty barangays. The land use within Delfin Albano is varied, with agriculture being the most significant sector, occupying 59.04% of the total area. Open grasslands constitute another substantial portion at 30.15%, followed by built-up areas, forest, and road and water bodies. As of the 2024 census, the population of Delfin Albano was recorded at 30,860 people, resulting in a population density of approximately 160 inhabitants per square kilometer.