Municipality of San Francisco

Municipal Hall of San Francisco

Suangan is the first name of the place because it was surrounded by a forest with plenty of Sawong tree, a sticky juice which like kerosene can light up their houses. The place was changed to San Francisco to honor of one of the settlers a very saintly man called Francisco.

San Francisco is a 3rd class municipality, the biggest town in Camotes islands with population of 44,588 ( 2007 census ), it is administratively subdivided into 15 barangays:

Cabunga-an, Campo, Consuelo, Esperanza, Himensulan, Montealegre, Northern Poblacion, San Isidro, Santa Cruz, Santiago, Sonog, Southern Poblacion, Unidos, Union, and Western Poblacion.

Lake Danao
Lake Danao is located in the center of Pacijan island, it covered about 686 hectars. Two offshoot little islands in the lake that makes lake unique. The bigger islet called "snake" while the smaller one called "crocodile islet". Different spices of birds found living here, making it very fascinating for the viewers. A tourist spot because it secluded and best for couples seeking peace and serenity " The Lovers Lake"


HISTORICAL NOTES

San Francisco developed from a barrio named Suangan. The barrio was so named because it was surrounded by a forest with plenty of sawong trees. From these trees can be extracted sticky juice which, like kerosene, can light up their houses. The name of the place was changed to San Francisco to honor one of the settlers - a very saintly man called Francisco.

San Francisco is the biggest town in Camotes Island in point of income, land area and population.

The town and parish were created in 1858. Fr. Manuel del Burgo in 1874 started the present church which Fr. Emiliano Diez finished in 1887. Many residents have had the distinction to serve their town as capitan, municipal president or municipal mayor. The first to hold such positions were Apolonio Navarro, Macario Farama, and Ricardo Maningo respectively.

An attraction in San Francisco is a natural phenomenon - a small island in the midst of a picturesque lake. Old timers claim that there was no lake before on that place as the entire area was forestland. But after a terrible lightning and thunder, part of the land sunk, leaving only a portion in the middle. In fact is said that at the bottom of the lake are forest logs which residents retrieved and used for building their houses. This islet, a small town called Daan Lungsod, has lain submerged in the lake for more than a hundred years now. Fishermen in the area claim that there are actually roofs, posts and what appears to be a street, under water.

Lake Danao is the largest, perhaps the only one of such size in the Visayas. It is shaped like a figure eight; mangroves, fire trees, coconut palms and other plant varieties outline its shores.

In the barangay of Union is the Carmen-Lake Danao Fishery Complex Research Outreach Station. Carp, tilapia and other freshwater fishes are bred and sold to buyers from Siquijor, Bohol, and even Japan.

Crocodile Islet in Lake Danao

Snake Islet in Lake Danao

A National Road connect Poro and San Francisco

Bridge - boundary between Poro and Pacija island

Baywalk - San Francisco

Municipal Hall of San Francisco

Saint Joseph Church - San Francisco

Mangodlong Paradise Beach Resort

Mangodlong Paradise Beach Resort

Mangodlong Rock Resort

Mangodlong Rock Resort
Mangudlong Rock Resort is interestingly a coconut-shaded garden of huts on coral reefs. A sample photo above is taken on a sunny day. You can also find a hanging bridge that connects to another rock islet. Each islet has a cottage. Each cottage fees are collected depending on the cottage type.

Mangodlong Rock Resort

Mangodlong Rock Resort

Mangodlong Rock Resort

Mangodlong

Santiago Bay Resort
Santiago Bay Garden and Resort -  Barangay Santiago has a very wide shoreline at low tide like Boracay, has pristine white sand, and fine. Cottages and rooms for accommodation is available of many types. The Bungalow type has a cable TV and a refrigerator. 

Santiago Bay Resort

Santiago Bay Resort

Santiago Bay Resort

Santiago Bay

Bellavista Resort - Santiago Bay

Bakhaw Beach
Bakhaw  beach has a sugary pristine white sand beach of crystal clear waters. It has a long shoreline good for sunbathing and building sand castles. You will definitely enjoy this place.

Santiago Bay Resort

Borromeo Resort

Masamayor's Beach  House and Resort
Masamayor's Beach House and Resort is a home-style bedrooms of wooden furnishings, cogon rooftops and bamboo accent resort.  

Snake Islet in Lake Danao

Lake Danao

Lake Danao

Lake Danao

Lake Danao

Lake Danao Park
 Lake Danao Park is a lake park where you can do picnic, fishing and boating. A paddle boat is available for you to go around the lake. You can also use the boat in going across a small two island at the center of the lake, the snake islet and the crocodile islet.

Green Lake Park

Tulang Diot Island, San Francisco, Camotes