Municipality of Socorro

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Land Area : 12,445 has.

Population :18,833 as of 2007 (NSCB)

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

“Bunga” was the ancient name of the place, which means fruit. A popular folklore says that the name “Socorro” was derived from the Spanish priest’s plea for “help” when the sailboat he was boarding with his church worker-companions was about to capsize due to gigantic waves brought about by the coming thunderstorm while approaching towards the sitio to officiate mass on a Sunday morning in 1920 . The said priest and company were saved by the brave men of the place who rushed to the scene notwithstanding the wrath of nature. Such heroic acts prompted the priest to name the place “Socorro” in honor of the fearlessness of the men and as a way of paying tribute to the populace who were willing to offer help and assistance to others even in times of danger. Since then, the sitio, which was converted into a barrio, rose from a sleepy settlement into a progressive locality. On February 22, 1961. Socorro was granted the status of a municipality with the entire Bucas Grande Island as its jurisdiction with the signing of Executive Order No. 219 by then President Diosdado Macapagal.

Socorro, same as with other places, had a history to be proud of. But unlike its contemporaries, Socorro’s history is written in blood. A group with religious proclivity called the Cofradia de Sagrado Corazon de Jesus settled in the island in 1917 from Maasin, Leyte. The earlier settlers joined the group. But the leader of the Cofradia broke up with the Roman Catholic Church and joined the Iglesia Filipina Independiente in 1923. The enraged Catholic priest in Dapa reported to the Provincial Constabulary Command in Surigao that a colorum group in the island will rebel against the government. A troop was sent to the island but committed atrocities and the islanders retaliated. A military mission was sent from Dapa and some members were killed. Another encounter occurred in January 1924 resulting to the death of 16 soldiers and 40 local men. The American colonial government later sent men to attack and later negotiated the surrender of the local combatants.

The municipality is composed of fourteen (14) barangays covering an area of 12,445 hectares. The town proper located in the eastern side of the island nestles tranquilly along the seashore of a bay where one can behold the first ray of sunlight arising out of the bosom of the Pacific Ocean in the wee hours of the morning. It has nine (9) comely natural attractions, with the Sohoton Lagoons emerging as the most popular, as well as three (3) man-made attractions that enticed a number of tourists to flock to the island. Its populace numbering 17,932 based on the 2000 census, are mostly immigrants from Leyte, Bohol, Cantilan and Tago towns in Surigao del Sur and Mainit and other towns of Surigao del Norte. The islanders are noted for nurturing and practicing the “Bayanihan” way of life, a proud legacy of their forebeas, whereunto, each and every socorronhon vow to uphold and pass on to the next generations.

POCKET- POFILE

Land Area:                  12,445 has.

Mun.Waters:               34,000 has.

Population:                  18,833 as of 2007 (NSCB)

No.of Barangays:        14

Congressional District: District I, Surigao del Norte

Classification:                    4th Class

GEOGRAPHY

The Municipality of Socorro, which comprises the whole island of Bucas Grande, province of Surigao del Norte, Caraga Region is situated at latitude 9º 33’ 49” – 9º 47’ 00” and longitude 125º 58’ – 126º 04’ 30”. It is 60 kms southeast of Surigao City. It faces the Pacific Ocean to the east (direct east towards Saipan), and the red mountain (Iron Mountain) of Mindanao in the west. In the north it is bounded by the Municipality of Dapa (Siargao Island), and in the south by the Carrascal Cantilan peninsula and sea water.

The Municipality has a total land area of 12,445 hectares. The Municipal Seawater of Socorro is estimated at 20,000 hectares. Its expense is situated at latitude 9º 32’ 15” – 9º 47’ 00” and longitude 125º 52’ 00º.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Sohoton Cave and lagoons - This mystical place features a maze of interconnected clear water pools clasped by  karst hills of almost uniform shape. Most hills are thickly vegetated and wonderful water zoning like a city. Rock formation and caves with some cultural importance line up along the waterways. The cave can only be accessed during low tide as it is submerged in the crystal clear waters during high tide.

Rock islands - Scattered along the coast from Nakawit point to Poblacion Socorro, these rock islands have a sculptural effect. Those with lush vegetations creates an vision of dish gardens floating in the sea.

White Beaches - Powdery white sand beaches are intermittently seen from Nakawit point to Socorro town center, mostly set againts karst cliffs with thick vegetation and forests still intact.

Atoyay Farmstead   - These features communal housing units set-up by cooperatives amidst coconut and pineapple plantations.  In this town, farm management has a high human-interest value. The area likewise leads to trails that ushers one to the mangrove areas, brooks and forests.

Limestone Forest    - This is perhaps the most accessible and undisturbed limestone  forest in the country.  The forest is home to extra-ordinary  biodiversity of plants and is a shelter to such endangered species like tarsier, hornbill, cockatoo, civet cat and sea hawk.

Lakes -  There are 13 lakes in this town but only three are easily accessible. Its lakes boast of clear waters, surrounded by thick forest,  making it ideal trekking destinations. These three lakes, in particular, are connected to the sea by underground channels and are known to shelter the highly endangered salt-water crocodile.

Colorum Uprising    -  The colourful history of Soccoro can be traced in the occurrence of the Colorum Uprising, a landmark Site of a series of fighting between the troops of American colonial Administration and the native people . 

Magkahuyog Falls   - the waterfall is fascinating to witness from the sea during rainy season when the stream flow is high.

Sports Fisheries -  The town likewise has  a good potential for small to medium  size pelagic species (tuna and mackerels) and deeper water of about 20 to 25 miles in  the island  which can yield large  marlins, dolphin and yellow fin tuna.

Mangrove Areas   - The island is blessed with a vast expanse of mangrove forests with some of them grown up to more than 40 feet high as big as a mature coconut tree.

Caves -  There are still numerous undiscovered / unknown caves in this side of the island waiting to be discovered.

Socorro Swimming Pool    - A Swimming pool teemed with cool waters sourced out from multiple springs situated in the scenic Sitio Tugop, Barangay Taruc. This was constructed through  the townfolks’ “Bayanihan System” in 1953 by Don Albino B. Taruc and refurbished in 1997 under the leadership of his son, Hon. Dominador L. Taruc, then Incumbent Vice-Mayor.

TOURIST FACILITIES:

Accommodation & Restaurant

Bucas Grande Balanghai Hotel, located at portside, Poblacion Socorro, Surigao del Norte.

Evergreen Lodging House, located at A. Taruc St. Poblacion Socorro, Surigao del Norte.

D. Alabat Beach House, located at Bgy. Taruc, Pooblacion Socorro, Surigao del Norte.

Double E Restaurant, located at A. Tauc St. Poblacion Socorro, Suirigapo del Norte.

Socorronhon Kitchenette at Public Market, Socorro, Surigao del Norte.

Transportation

CBRMP- SISRDP Kalikasan Boat

M/B Carmelita

M/B Banog

12 Light pumpboats (10-16 Hp) of CBRMP- SISRDP

How to get there?

Pump-boat ride:

Surigao to Socorro trip - 12:30 noon at Pantalan #2 (daily)

Dapa to Socorro Trip - 7:30 – 8:00 A.M. (daily)

3:00 – 4:00 P.M. (daily)

Cantilan to Socorro Trip - 9:00 – 10:00 A.M. (daily)