San Francisco, Cebu

San Francisco
Municipality
Mangodlong Rock Beach Resort
Map of Cebu with San Francisco highlighted
San Francisco Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 10°39′N 124°21′E / 10.65°N 124.35°E / 10.65; 124.35Coordinates: 10°39′N 124°21′E / 10.65°N 124.35°E / 10.65; 124.35
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Visayas (Region VII)
Province	Cebu
District	5th district of Cebu
Barangay	15 (see § Barangays)
Government [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Aly Arquillano (BAKUD)
• Vice mayor	Allan Arquillano
• Town Council	Members Ken Capao Otot Capao Allen Arquillano Aurelia Andrade Silvestre Formentera Avelino Obenza Renato Borromeo Arel Garrido 2016 unofficial result
• Representative	Red Durano
Area[2]
• Total	106.93 km2 (41.29 sq mi)
• Water	6.80 km2 (2.63 sq mi)
Population (2015 census)[3]
• Total	55,180
• Density	520/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
• Voter (2016)[4]	27,484
Time zone	PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP code	6050
IDD : area code	+63 (0)32
Income class	3rd class
PSGC	072242000

San Francisco is a 3rd municipal income class municipality on Camotes Islands in the province of Cebu, Philippines.^[2] According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 55,180.^[3] In the 2016 election, it had 27,484 registered voters.^[4]

Geography

San Francisco consists primarily of Pacijan Island (also known as Pajican Island^[5]), as well as the tiny Tulang islet just north of Pacijan. Both islands are part of the Camotes Islands group in the Camotes Sea (that also includes Poro Island and Ponson Island). They are located east of the main island of Cebu, south and west of Leyte and north of Bohol.

Pacijan Island is about 14.75 kilometres (9.17 mi) long and 8.5 kilometres (5.3 mi) wide. A 1,400-metre (1,500 yd) causeway crosses the mangrove swamp to connect Pacijan and Poro Island. It was constructed during the Spanish era, to bridge the islands for easier trading and attending services in Poro church.

Barangays

San Francisco comprises 15 barangays:^[2]

Demographics

In the 2016 election, it had 27,484 registered voters, meaning that 50% of the population are aged 18 and over.^[4]

Tulang islet

Tulang island (known locally as Tulang Diot) is a five-minute boat ride from Tulang Dako on the main island of Pacijan. Both Tulang Diot and Tulang Dako are part of barangay Esperanza. The islet is almost entirely covered with coconut palms and measures about 1.6 by 0.6 kilometres (1.0 by 0.4 mi): the residential area is confined to a small triangle at the southern end. Total area about 40 ha (100 acres), of which only 3.5 ha (8.6 acres) (8.8%) is inhabited.

Protohistory

Carl Guthe, director of the University of Michigan Anthropological Museum, during his 1923-25 collecting trip and explorations of archaeological sites in the Philippines,^[8] conducted an archeological dig in a cave site on Tulang. Located on the southeastern coast of the island, the cave measures about 3.7 by 2.7 metres (12 by 9 feet). Guthe reported it to contain bone fragments and teeth of about 60 individuals. Associated grave goods included earthenware pottery, shell bracelets, bronze and iron artefacts (iron tang, bronze chisel, iron blade), glass and stone beads, hammerstone and pestle. Filed teeth were also recovered from this site.^{[lower-alpha 1]}

21st century

Just before Typhoon Yolanda struck in November 2013, the mayor of San Francisco ordered the evacuation of all the residents (approximately 1,000) to the main island. This was credited with saving their lives as all houses on the island (about 500) were completely destroyed.^[9]

Attractions

San Francisco

Tulang

1

2

3

4

5

6

Location of San Francisco downtown, and tourist attractions on Pacijan

Sights
1	Lake Danao	2	Tumibo Cave
3	Arqui's Viewing Deck
Beaches
4	Bakhaw Beach	5	Mangodlong Beach
6	Santiago Bay

Lake Danao

1 Lake Danao is a freshwater lake located in the northern part of Pacijan Island, about 4.9 kilometres (3.0 mi) long and 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) wide, with an elevation of 5 metres (16 ft) above sea level. Its area of 680 ha (1,700 acres) makes it the largest lake not only in the province but also in the Visayas regions. It has two interior islands which can be reached by paddleboat or as part of the scenic lake cruise. An 18-kilometre (11 mi) hiking and cycling trail encircles the entire perimeter of the lake. Although classifies as "freshwater", that doesn't necessarily make it suitable for irrigation. A 2015 study determined which crops could be sustained.^[10]

Flora

Corn and coconut grow all over the island, including the areas surrounding the lake. Several rare orchids and a variety of herbs of medicinal value grow along the lake shore.

Most of the original vegetation has disappeared, and even the small islets in the lake have been planted with coconut palms. The only remaining area of aquatic vegetation is on the east side of the lake, where the water is shallow and there is a dense growth of submerged vegetation, including water cabbage, hydrilla and water hyacinth.

Soli-soli is a type of grass that grows abundantly along the banks of the lake and is one source of livelihood on the island. These grasses are harvested, dried and woven into different kinds of handicrafts such as bags, mats, hats and other decorative items, and then sold to local and mainland market outlets. An annual festival is held nominally celebrating the plant. This takes place every third Sunday of March, coinciding with the fiesta honoring Saint Joseph. Extending throughout the island, the event is an occupational festival injected with religious sentiments shown through flamboyant colors, abundant food and fervent dancing.

Fauna

The lake supports a very rich fishery, and many local residents depend on this resource for their subsistence.

The rich ichthyofauna includes

• tilapia
• common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
• milkfish (Chanos chanos)
• tank goby (Glossogobius giuris)
• catfish (Clarias sp.)

A wide variety of avifauna occur including

• little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
• intermediate egret (Egretta intermedia)
• purple heron (Ardea purpurea)
• wandering whistling duck (Dendrocygna arcuata)

The estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) formerly inhabited the lake: according to the Groombridge report (1982),^[11] the population was still healthy in 1978, but according to other reports, the last individual was killed in 1971. Monitor lizards (Varanus) can still be seen occasionally on its shore.^[12]

Other sights

2 Tumibo Cave is a grotto in the Tumibo plateau in Sonog, which offers swimming in a crystal-clear underground pool.

3 Arqui's Viewing Deck in the summit area of Monte Alegre offers outstanding picturesque views across Pacijan including Lake Danao and Tulang, as well as the islands of Cebu and Leyte beyond.

4 Bakhaw Beach is located in Esperanza. Its sugary sand and clear waters make it safe for children.

5 Mangodlong Beach is one of the most visited beaches in the Camotes. It offers white sand and is located in the fishing village of Mangodlong in Himensulan. Across the beach is a coral islet.

6 Santiago Bay is located in the southwestern part of the island. The wide and deep white sand beach is situated directly in front of the town of Santiago. This beach is owned by the local government and is a favorite rendezvous for locals and visitors.

Notes

References

Sources

		Camotes Sea
	Camotes Sea		Poro
		San Francisco
		Camotes Sea

Province of Cebu
Cebu City (capital)
Municipalities	Alcantara Alcoy Alegria Aloguinsan Argao Asturias Badian Balamban Bantayan Barili Boljoon Borbon Carmen Catmon Compostela Consolacion Cordova Daanbantayan Dalaguete Dumanjug Ginatilan Liloan Madridejos Malabuyoc Medellin Minglanilla Moalboal Oslob Pilar Pinamungajan Poro Ronda Samboan San Fernando San Francisco San Remigio Santa Fe Santander Sibonga Sogod Tabogon Tabuelan Tuburan Tudela
Component cities	Bogo Carcar Danao Naga Talisay Toledo
Highly urbanized cities	Cebu City Lapu-Lapu Mandaue (Administratively independent from the province but grouped under Cebu by the Philippine Statistics Authority. Mandaue is grouped under the 6th legislative district of Cebu but still independent from the province.)