Duero Town of Bohol Philippines

The coastal town of Duero lies on the southeastern part of the province of Bohol. Going northward, it is the first town after the busy port town of Jagna. From Tagbilaran City, it is the 9th town, 73.1 kilometers away; a trip that takes only an hour or less of non-stop driving.

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A trip to Duero is rewarding, that is, if you drop by the several attractions along the way such as the Baclayon church, the oldest church in the island; Prony the python at Albur ; a dip at Badiang Spring Resort in Valencia and at Roxas Park in Garcia Hernandez; and a taste of the pride of Jagna, the calamay.

A panoramic view of the sea and the view, now and then, of Bohol’s coastline and on one side, the scenic rice paddies, corn fields, coconut and banana groves plus heritage homes that you pass by on your way to Duero are enough to make your day.

Duero is a peaceful town, inhabited by 17,254 people as per census records of 2007 who are mostly Roman Catholics brought about by a conquering expedition from Spain in 1860. It was declared a municipality two years later.

The people’s pride is their church and convent, built in the year 1868, and is the oldest building in the municipality. The Duero Church , although advocated to Santa Felomina at first, is presently dedicated to the Immaculate Conception whose feast day they celebrate with much revelry every 8th of December. You cannot miss it since it lies along the national highway.

Prominent institutions lying along the highway are the two-storey school buildings of the Immaculate Conception Academy, a private school run by Augustinian Recollects and across the street from the Academy, the public school building of Duero Central Elementary School.

The town of Duero occupies a land area of 8,890 hectares which has been politically subdivided into 21 barangays, to wit: Alejawan, Angilan, Anibongan, Bangwalog, Cansuhay, Danao, Duay, Guinsularan, Imelda, Itum, Langkis, Lobogon, Madua Norte, Madua Sur, Mambool, Mawi, Payao, San Antonio (Poblacion), San Isidro, San Pedro and Tatay.

Duero men were practically farmers during the Spanish Regime and the women wove sinamay and saguran. At present, farming and weaving occupies most of the households of the municipality with a few working in local government offices and engaged in trade. Others, the lucky and hardworking ones, sought employment abroad and now support their families and helped to change the skyline of Duero by building beautiful homes and edifices.

Aside from the towering church of the Immaculate Conception, the town boasts of a stretch of beach blessed with white sand and fringed with coconut palm trees, a haunt of the locals especially during weekends and summer months. The waters along the coast of Duero are unpolluted, crystal clear and rich in marine life. On a clear day, the Camiguin Island with the prominent volcanic peak of Mt. Hibok-Hibok can be seen.

Another place worthy to visit is Camp Verde – considered a historical spot since it was the last bastion of the Boholano insurgents during World War II; an excellent fort accessible only through one entrance. Camp Verde is a wooded cliff fortified by the insurgents when the war broke out between the Filipinos and the Americans and up to the time of the Japanese occupation.

Not last, and neither is the least, is the Lord of Pardon Hill. Special Masses are held there during the Holy Week. The cemented works of art of the 14 Stations of the Cross dot the pathway up to the top of the hill where a big black cross stands. The top of the hill gives you a panoramic and sweeping view of the mountains and coastline of Duero, Guindulman and Anda.

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