BRIEF PROFILE

 

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

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          The Municipality of Sta. Monica formerly known as “Sapao,” is part of “Sidargo” (SIARGAO) island that belongs to Surigao which is part of the old territory that existed in Northern Mindanao called “Caraga”. The latter was named after the people called “Callagans” believed to be of Visayan origin. They were the inhabitants of the Province of Surigao that time.

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          Historically, in 1538 spanish expedition led by Francisco del Castro, a Portuguese born Spanish, landed in what is presently Surigao del Norte province, and therein baptized the inhabitants to Christianity. The legendary name “Sapao” originated from a native fisherman, who threw his net to catch a school of fish whichever so full and has said to here exclaimed “Sapao-Sapao” meaning the catch was so plenty as to overload the net. Hence, the name sapao was given to the place after the word “Sapao-Sapao” by the early settlers. 

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          As early as 1683 a Spanish settlement and development was established in Tandag by the Recollect Fathers who had residence at Tandag, Butuan, Bislig, Linao-an in the interior of Agusan and Siargao island. The stone arch gate of the old church of Sapao (Sta. Monica) is the strong permanent legacy of this early Spanish settlement in Siargao Island.

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          After the Spanish-American war, the American military governor issued an Executive Order to revert Sapao into a barrio under the municipality of Numancia until October 1, 1953. In March 1947, a massive activity of revision and division of tax declaration at Provincial Office between Numancia and Sapao was started in order to create Sapao into a municipality. Revision was completed in March 1952. In the succeeding year on October 1, 1953, His Excellency President Elpidio Quirino issued an Executive Order No. 624 officially creating Sapao into a municipality. A few years after, a House Bill No. 7233 which become RA No. 4998 changing the name Sapao into Sta. Monica was approved by His Excellency President Ferdinand E. Marcos.  

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          Sta. Monica has a total land area of 3,919 square kilometers and beautiful attractive scenery – the Danjog Cave, underground palace of a certain tribal king, Tak-tak falls and a 3 kilometers long of fine white beach great attraction not only for  Sapaonon but for tourist as well. It has also a moderate climate the whole year round except in the month of November to January when there is sometime severe north eastern monsoon wind. It is 45 kilometers north of Dapa, the Island’s commercial center, reachable from Surigao City via 2 to 3 hours boat ride to Dapa from where jeepneys and motorcycles are available to take travelers to any point in the mainland Siargao. Direct launch trip to Sta. Monica and from Surigao City is also available at around 3 hours long ride.
 

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