# Mogpog

Mogpog /mɔːɡˈpoʊɡ/, officially the Municipality of Mogpog (Tagalog: Bayan ng Mogpog) is a municipality in the province of Marinduque, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 34,516 people.

## History

In 1911, a stone marker was placed by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey (USGS), now National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), at Luzon Datum or Station Balacanan, Mt. Mataas, Barangay Hinanggayon to indicate the geographical center of the Philippines. The site was commemorated by a historical marker installed in August 9, 2011.
In 1942, the Japanese troops occupied the town of Mogpog.
In 1945, during the Second World War, at the liberation of the town of Mogpog, American and Filipino troops fought against the Japanese Imperial forces during the Battle of Marinduque.
Historically, the famous Moriones Festival is said to have originated from Mogpog. Moriones Festival was founded by a Spanish friar, Rev. Father Dionisio Santiago, the first parish priest of Mogpog. This festival is known to be one of the most colorful festivals in Marinduque and the Philippines. It is held in Mogpog and the surrounding areas of Marinduque island.

## Geography

The town is at the geographical center of the Philippines, attested by the site of the Luzon Datum of 1911 or Station Balanacan, a stone marker placed at a hill called Mt. Mataas, Barangay Hinanggayon. As the geographical center, it has been the primary geodetic reference station for triangulation in the country.
Mogpog is 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from Boac.

### Barangays

Mogpog is politically subdivided into 37 barangays.  Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
Hinanggayon was formerly a sitio of barrio (barangay) Argao; in 1954 it was elevated as a barrio.
* Anapog-Sibucao
* Argao
* Balanacan
* Banto
* Bintakay
* Bocboc
* Butansapa
* Candahon
* Capayang
* Danao
* Dulong Bayan (Poblacion)
* Gitnang Bayan (Poblacion)
* Guisian
* Hinadharan
* Hinanggayon
* Ino
* Janagdong (Planned Poblacion Expansion)
* Lamesa
* Laon
* Magapua
* Malayak
* Malusak
* Mampaitan
* Mangyan-Mababad
* Market Site (Poblacion)
* Mataas Na Bayan (Poblacion)
* Mendez
* Nangka I (Planned Poblacion Expansion)
* Nangka II
* Paye
* Pili
* Puting Buhangin
* Sayao
* Silangan
* Sumangga
* Tarug
* Villa Mendez (Poblacion)
The town center or poblacion comprises the barangays of Dulong Bayan, Gitnang Bayan, Market Site, Mataas na Bayan, and Villa Mendez with possible expansion to barangays of Janagdong and Nangka I.

### Climate

Climate data for Mogpog, Marinduque :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 26 (79) | 27 (81) | 29 (84) | 31 (88) | 30 (86) | 30 (86) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 28 (82) | 26 (79) | 29 (83) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 22 (72) | 22 (72) | 22 (72) | 23 (73) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 23 (73) | 23 (73) | 23 (74) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 83 (3.3) | 55 (2.2) | 44 (1.7) | 37 (1.5) | 90 (3.5) | 123 (4.8) | 145 (5.7) | 125 (4.9) | 135 (5.3) | 166 (6.5) | 163 (6.4) | 152 (6.0) | 1,318 (51.8) |
| Average rainy days | 15.1 | 10.8 | 11.9 | 11.4 | 19.9 | 23.7 | 26.3 | 23.9 | 23.9 | 22.1 | 20.2 | 18.6 | 227.8 |
| Source: Meteoblue ||||||||||||||

## Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Mogpog was 34,516 people, with a density of 320 inhabitants per square kilometre or 830 inhabitants per square mile.

## Economy

Poverty incidence of Mogpog
* 10
* 20
* 30
* 40
* 2006 31.80
* 2009 26.81
* 2012 10.52
* 2015 13.59
* 2018 12.08
* 2021 23.05
* Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

## Landmarks

Barangay Balanacan is where the main shipping port is located. It is famous for its large image of Our Lady of Biglang Awa, erected at a top of a shed on a mound of land overlooking the sea.
Not far from the Academy is the town plaza, located at the side right of Marinduque Academy's Main Building, with a great view of a local park, the Municipal Building, and the Trial Court - all of which covers the town public market.
The site of the Luzon Datum of 2011 and its stone marker and historical marker are tourist spots.

## Education
### Secondary

* Argao National High School
* Balanacan National High School
* Butansapa National High School
* Marinduque Academy (Barangay Gitnang Bayan)
* Mogpog NCHS
* Sayao National High School
* Quezon-Roxaz High School (poblacion)
* Puting Buhangin National High School

### Primary

* Argao Elementary School
* Balanacan Elementary School
* Bintakay Elementary School
* Bocboc Elementary School
* Butansapa Elementary School
* Capayang-Ino Elementary School
* Danao Public School
* Guisian Elementary School
* Hinadharan Public School
* Hinanggayon Elementary School
* Ino Primary School
* Janagdong Elementary School
* Lamesa Elementary School
* Laon Elementary School
* Magapua Elementary School
* Malayak Elementary School
* Mampaitan Public School
* Mendez Elementary School
* Mogpog Central School
* Nangka Elementary School
* Paye Elementary School
* Pili Elementary School
* Puting Buhangin Elementary School
* Sayao Elementary School
* Silangan Elementary School
* Sumangga Primary School
* Tarug Public School

## Notable personalities

* Cardinal Ricardo Jamin Vidal, archbishop emeritus of Cebu was born February 6, 1931, in Mogpog.

## Sister cities

* Makati, Philippines