San Francisco, Agusan del Sur

San Francisco, officially the Municipality of San Francisco (Cebuano: Lungsod sa San Francisco; Tagalog: Bayan ng San Francisco), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Agusan del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 80,760 people.[3]

San Francisco
Municipality of San Francisco
Downtown area
Downtown area
Flag of San Francisco
Official seal of San Francisco
Map of Agusan del Sur with San Francisco highlighted
Map of Agusan del Sur with San Francisco highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Map
San Francisco is located in Philippines
San Francisco
San Francisco
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 8°31′N 125°59′E / 8.51°N 125.98°E / 8.51; 125.98
CountryPhilippines
RegionCaraga
ProvinceAgusan del Sur
District 2nd district
FoundedJune 21, 1959
Barangays27 (see Barangays)
Government
[1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorGrace Carmel Paredes-Bravo
 • Vice MayorArth Ryan Palabrica
 • RepresentativeAdolph Edward G. Plaza
 • Electorate50,011 voters (2022)
Area
 • Total
392.53 km2 (151.56 sq mi)
Elevation
89 m (292 ft)
Highest elevation
806 m (2,644 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total
80,760
 • Density210/km2 (530/sq mi)
 • Households
18,945
Economy
 • Income class1st municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
28.82
% (2021)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 367.9 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 1,212 million (2020)
 • Expenditure₱ 298.4 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 162.3 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityAgusan del Sur Electric Cooperative (ASELCO)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
8501
PSGC
IDD:area code+63 (0)85
Native languagesAgusan
Butuanon
Cebuano
Higaonon
Tagalog
Websitelgusanfrancisco.net

The town serves as the center of trade and commerce in the province of Agusan del Sur. In 2013, San Francisco topped first as the "Most Competitive Municipality in the Philippines in 2012" according to the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) from out of the 163 first-class municipalities covered by their index.[5]

The protected area of the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary can also be reached in San Francisco thru the Barangays Caimpugan and New Visayas.

The town is known for the gigantic Toog Tree of Alegria, which is the most sacred tribal tree for many of the Indigenous peoples of San Francisco. The town is also popular for its Irosin stone crafts, which has been the cottage industry of many Indigenous families in the area for hundreds of years. Due to the town's commendable folk arts and crafts made in stone, many scholars have suggested for its nomination in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

The town's name is sometimes colloquially shortened to "San France" or alternately spelled "San Franz" and "San Frans".

History

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The birth of San Francisco is associated with the history of Agusan and Surigao del Sur. Before San Francisco became a municipality, it was part of the District of Gibong, which was then governed by Deputy Governor Francisco Cataylo. During this period, the district comprised the barrios of Santa Ana, Caimpugan, Ebro, Borbon, La Caridad, Prosperidad, Azpetea and Los Arcos, with Santa Ana the seat of government. Like other barrios, Santa Ana comprised several sitios, including Sitio Hagpa, which was the site of the present day San Francisco. Hagpa was coined from a Manobo word for "swampy" as the sitio was a small village nestled along the Adlayan River and inhabited by Manobo tribes.

The opening of the Province of Agusan del Sur to most parts of Mindanao came during the government of President Ramon Magsaysay who ordered the first road survey to be conducted by the Department of Highway in 1952. In early 1954, road construction began paving the way for the institution of public land subdivision and the in-migration of different local tribes and settlers from the various provinces of Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon.

Hagpa was later renamed San Francisco in honor of Deputy District Governor Francisco Cataylo. In early 1955, the first local government was established as San Francisco was created as a Municipal District. Francisca Tesoro Samson was appointed as the first Municipal District Mayor by then Provincial Governor Felixberto Dagani. On June 21, 1959, through Republic Act No. 2518, San Francisco was officially created into a regular municipality of the Province of Agusan.[6] In the same year, the first local officials of the municipality were elected with Atty. Paquito Fuentes as the first elected municipal mayor, who served for three consecutive terms of office. He was succeeded by his vice mayor, Cresencio Ausmolo who stayed in office by operation of law during the latter half-portion of his last term.

Eight years after its creation as a regular municipality, on June 17, 1967, through Republic Act No. 4979, the Province of Agusan was divided into the Provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur, in which San Francisco was part of the latter.[7] The continued growth of Agusan del Sur also saw the development of the municipality of San Francisco. Its growing population later paved the way for the creation of the municipality of Rosario through Republic Act No. 5760 approved by President Diosdado Macapagal on June 21, 1969, just two years after the creation of Agusan del Sur. As a result, the several barrios of San Francisco including Bayugan III, Wasi-an, Santa Cruz, Cabawan, Cabantao, Marfil and Tagbayagan were incorporated in the newly created municipality.[8] The barrios of Buenasuerte, Caimpogan, Pasta, Lapinigan, Ebro, New Visayas, Bayugan II, Borbon, Tagapua, Pisaan, Santa Ana, Hubang, Alegria, San Isidro, Das-agan, Ladgadan, Lucac, Bitan-agan and Poblacion consisting of five barrios as stated in PD No. 86 dated December 31, 1972, remained to form part of the 39,253-hectare Municipality of San Francisco. The barrios of Rizal, Ormaca, Mate and Karaos were later created and added to form final 27 barangays of the present day San Francisco.

Geography

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According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 392.53 square kilometres (151.56 sq mi)[9] constituting 3.93% of the 9,989.52-square-kilometre- (3,856.98 sq mi) total area of Agusan del Sur.

Climate

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Climate data for San Francisco, Agusan del Sur
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 27
(81)
27
(81)
28
(82)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
30
(86)
30
(86)
29
(84)
28
(82)
28
(82)
29
(83)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22
(72)
22
(72)
22
(72)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 152
(6.0)
116
(4.6)
90
(3.5)
68
(2.7)
88
(3.5)
96
(3.8)
78
(3.1)
73
(2.9)
70
(2.8)
96
(3.8)
125
(4.9)
132
(5.2)
1,184
(46.8)
Average rainy days 20.8 17.7 18.5 17.2 20.8 22.5 22.5 22.7 22.0 23.7 22.5 19.9 250.8
Source: Meteoblue (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally)[10]

Barangays

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San Francisco is politically subdivided into 27 barangays.[11] Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2020[3] 2010[12]
160308001 Alegria 9.1% 7,310 6,053 1.90%
160308015 Barangay 1 (Poblacion) 7.3% 5,902 4,741 2.21%
160308016 Barangay 2 (Poblacion) 3.1% 2,506 2,993 −1.76%
160308017 Barangay 3 (Poblacion) 4.5% 3,642 3,315 0.95%
160308018 Barangay 4 (Poblacion) 3.6% 2,939 3,250 −1.00%
160308019 Barangay 5 (Poblacion) 6.5% 5,239 4,926 0.62%
160308002 Bayugan 2 5.8% 4,644 4,896 −0.53%
160308025 Bitan-agan 1.3% 1,046 1,079 −0.31%
160308003 Borbon 3.5% 2,850 2,696 0.56%
160308026 Buenasuerte 1.9% 1,566 1,766 −1.19%
160308005 Caimpugan 2.0% 1,590 1,751 −0.96%
160308027 Das-agan 2.3% 1,824 1,803 0.12%
160308006 Ebro 1.6% 1,325 1,496 −1.21%
160308007 Hubang 3.9% 3,166 2,659 1.76%
160308028 Karaus 3.9% 3,148 2,686 1.60%
160308029 Ladgadan 1.2% 981 992 −0.11%
160308008 Lapinigan 6.4% 5,150 4,627 1.08%
160308009 Lucac 1.6% 1,294 966 2.97%
160308010 Mate 1.9% 1,497 1,616 −0.76%
160308011 New Visayas 1.7% 1,334 1,735 −2.59%
160308030 Ormaca 1.0% 805 793 0.15%
160308012 Pasta 3.8% 3,061 3,429 −1.13%
160308013 Pisa-an 4.2% 3,429 2,611 2.76%
160308020 Rizal 1.1% 904 1,331 −3.79%
160308021 San Isidro 4.6% 3,737 3,089 1.92%
160308022 Santa Ana 1.6% 1,256 1,283 −0.21%
160308024 Tagapua 3.0% 2,397 2,404 −0.03%
Total 80,760 70,986 1.30%

Demographics

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Municipal Hall
Population census of San Francisco
YearPop.±% p.a.
1939 4,156—    
1948 5,434+3.02%
1960 16,535+9.72%
1970 17,636+0.65%
1975 19,097+1.61%
1980 27,153+7.29%
1990 43,878+4.92%
1995 50,844+2.80%
2000 56,968+2.47%
2007 62,881+1.37%
2010 70,986+4.51%
2015 74,542+0.94%
2020 80,760+1.59%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[13][12][14][15]

In the 2020 census, San Francisco had a population of 80,760.[3] The population density was 210 inhabitants per square kilometre (540/sq mi).

Economy

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Poverty incidence of San Francisco

10
20
30
40
50
2006
41.90
2009
39.72
2012
30.79
2015
32.22
2018
25.69
2021
28.82

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]

 
San Francisco highway during nighttime with Christmas decors at the street lights.

San Francisco is the "Commercial Capital of Agusan del Sur", serving as the primary commercial and service center in the province of Agusan del Sur. Situated within the crossroad leading to other production centers in the region, San Francisco serves as the primary distribution point of goods and people for the province. The presence of malls, hotels, restaurants, communication and transportation facilities makes San Francisco the training convention center of the province and a favored place for tourists to stay with Mount Magdiwata boosting its tourism sector.

Transportation

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San Francisco have a bus terminal named San Francisco Transport Terminal. All major buses including Bachelor Express, Davao Metro Shuttle and GO Mindanao bound for Davao, Butuan, Surigao, Tandag and Mangagoy. Philtranco also serve San Francisco, to and from Pasay.

San Francisco also have another public transportation called jeepney and multicab, their destination is Prosperidad, Rosario, Talacogon and Barobo.

Public Utility Van (PUV) also served San Francisco, bound for Davao, Butuan, Tandag, Mangagoy and Tagum.

Education

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Agusan del Sur National High School

List of public and private educational institutions:

  • Agusan del Sur National High School
  • Alegria Elementary School
  • ACLC College of San Francisco
  • Bayugan 2 National High School (formerly Bayugan 2 Integrated School)
  • Buenasuerte Elementary School
  • Buenasuerte High School
  • Bitan-agan Elementary School
  • Caimpugan Elementary School
  • Bukidnon State University (San Francisco - External Studies Center)
  • Das-agan Elementary School
  • D.O. Plaza National High School
  • Divine Mercy Play School (Preschool & Kindergarten)
  • Enfant Cheri Study Centre
  • Karaos Elementary School
  • Ladgadan Elementary school
  • Lapinigan Central Elementary School
  • Lapinigan National High School
  • Light and Life Christian Learning Center (Pre-school & Elementary)
  • Mate Elementary School
  • Mount Carmel College of San Francisco, Inc. (Kindergarten, Elementary, High School & College)
  • New Visayas Elementary School
  • Ong Yiu Memorial Elementary School
  • Ormaca Elementary School
  • Pasta Elementary School
  • Pisaan Elementary School
  • Saint Francis Xavier College
  • San Francisco Colleges (High School & College)
  • San Francisco Pilot Central Elementary School (Kindergarten & Elementary)
  • San Francisco SDA Elementary School (Kindergarten & Elementary)
  • San Francisco SPED Learning Center
  • San Francisco West Central Elementary School (Kindergarten & Elementary)
  • San Isidro Elementary School
  • Southway College of Technology
  • Santa Ana Elementary School
  • Tagapua Elementary School

References

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  1. ^ Municipality of San Francisco | (DILG)
  2. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d Census of Population (2020). "Caraga". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. ^ Desiderio, Louella D. (31 July 2013). "CDO tops list of Phl's most competitive cities". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2016. Out of the 163 first-class municipalities covered by the index, Luz said the municipality of San Francisco in Agusan del Sur clinched the top spot.
  6. ^ "Republic Act No. 2518 - an Act Creating the Municipality of San Francisco, Province of Agusan". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. 21 June 1959. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  7. ^ "Republic Act No. 4979; An Act Creating the Provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. 17 June 1967. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  8. ^ "Republic Act No. 5760; An Act Creating the Municipality of Rosario in the Province of Agusan". The Corpus Juris. 21 June 1969. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  9. ^ "Province: Agusan del Sur". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  10. ^ "San Francisco: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  11. ^ "Municipal: San Francisco, Agusan del Sur". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  12. ^ a b Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Caraga" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  13. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Caraga". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  14. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Caraga". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  15. ^ "Province of Agusan del Sur". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  16. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  17. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  18. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
  19. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
  20. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
  21. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
  22. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  23. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
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