We missed seeing the Luzon Datum (center of the Philippines) at Barangay Hiningayon Mogpog

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 11, 2018

                                                             Luzon Datum Rock

We missed seeing the Luzon Datum of 1911, the central reference point of surveyors, geodetic engineers in the country.  It is the center of the Philippines.  It is at Barangay Hiningayon Mogpog, and could be seen from the Balanacan port.  We were not able to see this because of the very tight schedule.  We were at Balanacan port Sunday afternoon at 3:30 and the boat would leave in one hour..

Imagine being at the center of the Philippines.  We would not have been here and known this fact were it not for the Marinduque ride.

From Lakwatsero - spots in Marinduque

                                                 The Luzon Datum rock

Known as Luzon Datum of 1911 or Station Balanacan, this piece of stone marker is located on top of a hill that locals call Mataas na Bundok or Mt. Mataas in Barangay Hinanggayon, town of Mogpog. It is the primary geodetic reference or origin of all geological surveys in the Philippines which means all maps and surveys made in the country use the Luzon Datum as reference point.

Although there were arguments that the datum should be at Romblon Island and not in Marinduque, Station Balanacan is still the official and recognized datum by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority(NAMRIA), the central mapping agency of the Philippines