Santa Monica, officially the Municipality of Sta. Monica (Surigaonon: Lungsod nan Santa Monica; Tagalog: Bayan ng Santa Monica), is a municipality in the province of Surigao del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 9,757 people.
It is also known as Sapao. Santa Monica is one of the two northernmost towns of Siargao Island. The other is the municipality of Burgos.
Although many sources refer to it as "Santa Monica" it is officially named "Sta. Monica".
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Etymology
Santa Monica is named after its patron saint, Saint Monica, in shortened Spanish term. It was originally known as Sapao, a name given by the first Spaniards who reached the area. According to one version of the story, a fisherman, upon being asked by the Spaniards about the name of the place, replied "no sapao," meaning he missed catching the school of fish. Another version suggests that a fisherman responded "sapao," meaning his banca was full of fish.
History
Santa Monica was originally known as a pueblo (town) named Sapao during the Spanish regime. Eventually, Sapao was reverted into a barrio, part of the municipality of Numancia (now Del Carmen). It regained its municipal status on October 1, 1953, by virtue of Executive Order No. 623. It then consisted of barrios Alegria, Baybay, Bailan, Bitaug, Burgos, Cabugsan, Libertad, Rizal, and Sapao.
On June 17, 1967, the municipality of Sapao was renamed Santa Monica and five barrios, including Burgos, and three sitios were separated from it to form the new municipality of Burgos.
Geography
Barangays
Santa Monica is politically subdivided into 11 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.
Abad Santos
Alegria
Bailan
Garcia
Libertad
Mabini
Mabuhay (Poblacion)
Magsaysay
Rizal
T. Arlan (Poblacion)
Tangbo
Economy
Poverty incidence of Santa Monica
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority