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Sapao was originally the name given this place by Spanish
colonizers who, incidentally stranded ashore, met a
native fisherman catching fish with his fish net. Upon
seeing this fisherman, one of the Spanish asked "Como
se llama este pueblo" The fisherman, thinking he was
asked regarding catch, answered, "No sapao ra," signifying
that he was not able to catch the whole for it went
over the fishnet he casted. So the Spaniard, believing
that the word uttered by the fisherman was the correct
answer to the question propounded recorded "Sapao" as
the name of the place.
This place was first created into a town during the
Spanish regime, but later on was converted into a barrio
during the early part of the American occupation due
to defects in the administration of the municipal government.
After the lapse of more than ______ of a century, this
town was re-created into a Municipality by an Executive
Order No. ______ dated October 1, 1953 and was reported
in Official Gazette published on October ______ during
the incumbency of the late President Elpidio Quirino.
Recently, the name was changed to Santa Monica, in honor
of the Patron Saint of the town, by virtue of _______
of Congress.
This town is ideally located by nature on the northwestern
part of Siargao Island, approximately 60 nautical miles
from Surigao, the capital town of Surigao del Norte.
This town is endowed with rich land and water resources,
fresh and salt water. Its salt water is rich in different
varieties of fish. The town proper is situated along
the shore facing Dinagat Island, specifically the town
of Cagdianao, of this province.
The main income of the town is derived from coconuts
and rice. Most of the people are engaged in farming
and fishing. The town suffered economically when it
was visited by typhoon, that of Reming on November 1968
and the worst by Atring on April 1969 which devastated
heavily the coconut plantations and the rich ricefields
which were about to be harvested.
Source: 1970 Souvenir Program of
Philippine Public Schools Inter-scholastic Athletic
Association Meet (PPSIAA) |
