Basay, officially known as the richest fishing waters in the country, is a 4th class component town in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 28,531 people. Upon its separation from Bayawan in 1971. Basay became Oriental Negros westernmost town. Town of Basay perked up in the 70’s when CDCP and INKO arrived to mine its copper and iron magnetite.

Basay’s land area is 62.55 sq. mi. and is utilized for agricultural, with sugar cane, rice, corn and copra as major crops. Basay is approximately a two-hour-and-a-half drive from Dumaguete. Native language are Cebuano and Hiligaynon.

Basay is politically subdivided into 10 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Namely: Actin with population of 2,407.Bal-os with 4,172;Bongalonan with 4,185; Cabalayongan with 878; Cabatuanan with 967; Linantayan with 834; Maglinao with 3216; Nagbo-alao with 5,546; Olandao with 1,119;and Poblacion with 5,207 people.

Datag Elementary School takes its place in Barangay Maglinao, Sitio Datag and stands as a small size school boasting an enrollment of 216 learners and a dedicated teaching staff of 8, 1 contract service, 1 school head, which includes 1 utility worker, resulting in a total population of 227.

Delving into the social dynamics of our learner’s population, 40% can be classified as middle class, while the remaining 60% falls under the lower-class category. Notably, a significant portion of this lower-class or 32% of the total population of this school relies on government assistance, particularly through programs such as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and support designated for Indigenous People (IPs) beneficiaries. This demographic context shapes our approach to education, emphasizing inclusivity and addressing the diverse needs of our student body.

The geographical layout is designed with convenience in mind, ensuring that students from every sitio face a commute of less than 20 minutes, whether by walking or Habal-Habal as a major means of transportation. This thoughtful arrangement not only fosters accessibility but also cultivates a sense of local unity as students from various sitios converge daily in pursuit of education. Such geographical considerations play a pivotal role in shaping the dynamic and interconnected nature of our school, promoting students from different corners of our educational landscape. 

    Most parents at Datag Elementary School come from households that fall below the poverty line, making them reliant on government assistance programs like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Indigenous Peoples (Ips) benefits. These programs provide them with a monthly cash allowance aimed at alleviating their financial struggles and helping them improve their economic situation.

In terms of livelihood, farming and manual labor in the sugarcane plantation are the primary sources of income for these families. They cultivate crops such as rice and corn in supplementing their income. Despite facing challenges associated with agricultural work, such as unpredictable weather conditions and inflation, they persistently engage in these activities to provide their families and ensure their children have access to education.