Spanish Era

Ferdinand Magellan sailed into the Philippine Archipelago, reaching the island of Homonhon in an epic voyage of discovery and eventual circumnavigation of the world in 1521. Magellan's fleet proceeded to Limasawa through Surigao Strait, a notch north-west of the city's pelagic boundaries, before dropping anchor on the waters off the island of Cebu, ushering the Spanish colonization of the Philippines.

Surigao town as shown on a historical Mindanao map

Present day Surigao originated from a site in the city proper formerly known as Bilang-Bilang where it served as a port of call for inter-island vessels. It was renamed Banahao which became an integral part of the old district of Caraga, a town founded on June 29, 1655. After Caolo, present day Siargao, burned in 1750, Surigao became the capital of the expansive geopolitical, ecclesiastical and military district of Surigao which reached the fringes of Davao and would include today's provinces of Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, parts of Compostela Valley, Misamis Oriental, Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental. It officially became the permanent residence of the Augustinian Recollects on February 1, 1752, when all the canonical books were moved from Caolo to Surigao. The first canonical books bore the signature of Fr. Lucas de la Cruz. Previously, the place was just a "vista" of the parish in Caolo. Its strategic location and new status as the seat of government was costly. Surigao witnessed violent territorial struggles as it suffered ultimately from relentless Moro raids. In 1752, the town was devastated. Most of its 2,000 inhabitants were either killed or taken as slaves by the Moros.

Historical marker of the first flag-raising of the modern Philippine flag in Mindanao

First and Official Flag Raising in Mindanao. Father Alberto Masoliver, S.J., during his stint as the parish priest of Surigao in 1898, kept a compilation of his diaries, entitled Diario de la Casa de Surigao. His diaries are currently stored in the Jesuit archives at Centro Borja, Sant Cugat del Valles, Spain. He thus wrote on December 26, 1898, "Before 10:00 AM, the tri-color was hoisted from Casa Real seat of provincial government) and the Tribunal … without any formalities … without anybody's attention being drawn…..these people have no idea of what it is all about, and if they have… how peaceful and without malice they are.". Surigao then was the cabecera and the seat of government of the province of Caraga which had jurisdiction over Surigao, Butuan and Cagayan de Misamis (Cagayan de Oro). Alejandro (Jantoy) Gonzalez was the president of the Junta Provincial of Surigao during the time of the first flag hoisting.

• Controversy about the location of the First Philippine Flag Raising in Mindanao. The Philippines' National Historical Institute carries the mandate to decide on historical matters and to erect national markers. In a roundtable held in January 2000, the historians decided that the raising of the flag on December 26, 1898, by Alejandro Gonzalez in Surigao was duly sanctioned by Emilio Aguinaldo's government. The installation of the NHI marker in Surigao City followed suit.

American Period

Aerial view of Surigao, circa 1936

At the turn of the century in 1901, the Americans established a civil government in the province of Surigao, keeping the town of Surigao as its capital. Surigao was then among the largest municipalities in land area with a jurisdiction of 949.90 square kilometers, larger than today's Butuan. During this period, there was only one main road, the Old Spanish road. The commercial district, market and plaza (Luneta) were all situated in one small area. In 1930, the Old Spanish road was abandoned and a new provincial road was constructed. The Casa Real was built where municipal administrators would hold their official functions. Surigao's core barrios- Taft and Washington, were named after United States presidents William Howard Taft and George Washington.

World War II

Battle of Surigao Strait Memorial

Surigao featured prominently in World War II's Pacific theater. On May 23, 1942, the Japanese Imperial Army under Colonel Yoshie occupied Surigao after arriving from Butuan. They formally took over on May 28, 1942, under Lieutenant Ichichara, taking control from Mayor Amat. Filipino guerrilla units based in Surigao continued to operate in the hinterlands. Liberation from the Japanese rule dawned on September 9, 1944. American planes started their campaign by bombing the town in the early morning. It was followed by a strafing of all Japanese warships docked at the Surigao wharf, which came to transport fresh troops and supplies to their forces in Leyte. No fewer than fifty warships were sunk by the raiding American bomber planes. After the attack, not a single Japanese ship was seen afloat. The following month, on October 24–25, the famous Battle of Surigao Strait, the final line battle in naval history, was fiercely fought by allied forces against the Japanese fleet. By April 12, 1945, the whole province of Surigao was liberated from Japanese occupation.

One American family who had lived in and near Surigao before the war returned after the Japanese left the area in 1945. Virginia Holmes, a child in 1945, many years later wrote, "We were shocked at the destruction the war years had wrought. Many houses stood empty, and others were mere skeletons. Walls were pockmarked with bullet holes. There were piles of rubble everywhere. The tree-lined streets that used to be so pretty were now full of potholes, and only a few trees were left undamaged."^[9] Holmes said the cemetery had been neglected and at least part of it was overgrown in weeds.^[10]

Post War Reconstruction

Massive reconstruction followed the destruction brought by the war. The Surigao Provincial Capitol was completed in 1946 atop the hill overlooking the city. Other facilities were built including schools, athletic field and municipal jail. In 1948, the first election of municipal officials was held. In the same year, construction of the Surigao Provincial Hospital commenced. Six years later in 1954, construction of the first municipal building started and was completed in 1955. Economic activities continued to flourish with the launching of gold mining operations by Mindanao Mother Lode Mines in Mabuhay, 10 kilometers from the city. Rapid economic growth and immigration lead to losing some of its fishing and agricultural barrios as they were converted into towns of Malimono (July 31, 1956), Anao-aon (San Francisco) (May 24, 1957) and Sison (September 15, 1959). During the same year, settlements including Capalayan, Libuac, Catadman, Mat-i, Lipata, Dakung Patag, Bunyasan, Cantapoy, Balite, and Bambanon were elevated into barrios, the forerunner of modern-day barangays.^[11] At that time, Surigao was classified as a 1st Class B municipality with an annual income of P160,000.00 and a population of nearly 50,000. It was primarily an agricultural town producing mainly copra and basic staples including rice, corn, bananas and rootcrops. Fishing was also a major source of livelihood. On September 18, 1960, pursuant to the Republic Act 2786 dated June 19, 1960, the province of Surigao was divided into Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.^[12] The town of Surigao remained as a capital, this time for the province of Surigao del Norte.

Surigao was on a rapid growth path despite the provincial split. Already, it had a domestic airport, three movie houses, three hotels and two hospitals. On November 19, 1964, the town was on the direct path of supertyphoon Ining (internationally code-named Louise), with peak winds at 240 kilometers per hour, considered among the strongest in the city's recorded history. The city sustained extensive destruction to property and high human casualties. In 1967, Pacific Cement Corporation started commercial operations in Mabuhay, Sison, producing top quality cement in the country. In 1969, Marinduque Mining Industrial Corporation, a Canadian company subsidiary, started commercial operations and export of vast nickel ore deposits in Nonoc Island, with an initial capitalization of Php1.0 billion pesos, ushering a new era of prosperity.

Cityhood

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 6134, Surigao was converted to a chartered city on August 31, 1970, with Pedro Espina as its first city mayor.

Topography

Surigao City is marked by rolling hills that gently buffers its eastern and western boundaries. To the south-west towers the Kabangkaan Ridge which divides the city from the municipality of San Francisco (formerly Anao-aon). Kinabutan River (otherwise known as Surigao River) meanders Surigao valley before it empties to the Surigao tidal basin, a shrinking mangrove marsh due to rapid urban expansion. The city has an average elevation of 19 meters or 65.5 ft. above sea level. The highest elevation on the mainland at the Kabangkaan Ridge has a peak elevation of 465 meters above sea level. Along the border of Tagana-an is Mapawa Peak with an elevation of 245 meters above sea level. Barangays Cabongbongan, Nabago and Capalayan are at the foot of its slopes.

More than two dozen islands and islets make up two fifths of the city's total land area. They are separated from the mainland by Hinatuan Passage, which connects Mindanao Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Nonoc, the largest island, is typically hilly, with its highest elevation at 263 meters above sea level, and can easily be identified through its bare rusty-red weathering mantle of lateritic nickel ore. Hikdop Island, directly across the city proper, is known for the undersea Buenavista cave, with Mount Telegrapo, its highest point at 100.05 meters. Hinatuan Island, has been mined extensively during the later part of the last century, and straddles across Siargao Island. Other notable islands like Hanigad, Sibale, Bayaganan, Sumilon, Danawan, and Awasan are generally flat, and primarily covered with coconut palm trees. Large swaths of mangrove and nipa palm forests are familiar sights around the city's islands and coastal waterways.

Climate

Surigao has a tropical rainforest climate type, Köppen class Af with an average monthly precipitation of 308.66 mm (12.5 inches). It is distinctly wettest between the months of November until March. During the drier season between April and September, brief afternoon showers and thunderstorms locally called sobasco, are commonplace.

Barangays

Surigao City is politically subdivided into 54 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

There are 33 barangas which located in the mainland and 21 barangays in the islands. Of the 36 coastal barangays, 15 are in the mainland and 20 are in the islands. The urban area covers 15 barangays or approximately 20% of the total land area. These include Taft, Washington, San Juan, Sabang, Canlanipa, Cagniog, Luna, Togbongon, Rizal, Lipata, Punta Bilar, Mabua and Ipil.

The 21 island barangays are Alang-Alang, Alegria, Aurora, Baybay, Bilabid, Bitaugan, Buenavista, Cagutsan, Cantiasay, Catadman, Danawan, Libuac, Lisondra, Manjagao, Nonoc, San Jose, San Pedro, Sidlakan, Sugbay, Talisay, and Zaragoza.

Barangays

Language

Surigaonon, the official language in the city and province is unique among the Visayan languages. It is also spoken by the majority of the population in the province of Surigao del Sur and around Lake Mainit in Agusan del Norte. Similarities with the Cebuano language are undeniable, however, staunch Cebuano speakers can hardly understand people who speak Surigaonon. There is no doubt Surigaonon existed as pure and distinct, slowly pelted over time by Visayan words as migrants settled in the area. Today, Surigaonon is the most widely spoken language inherent in the eastern Caraga region.

Surigaonon has similar consonant and vowel sounds, stress, intonation patterns to the Cebuano language and Boholano dialect. Surigaonon underwent certain morphophonemic processes, such as assimilation, deletion, alternation and metathesis (Dumanig, 2005). In the study conducted by Dumanig (2005) on Descriptive Analysis of Surigaonon language it was found that there are 18 consonants (b,d,g,h,j,k,l,m,n,ng,p,r,s,t,w,y,o,?) with 18 sounds and 3 vowels (a,i,u) with 5 sounds. It has also 25 consonant clusters (br, bl, bw, by, dr, dy, dw, gr, gw, kr, kl, kw, mw, my, nw, pr, pl, pw, py, sw, sy, tr, tw, ty, hw) and 4 diphthongs (aw, ay, iw, uy), which are similar to the Cebuano language (Rubrico, 1999). There are Surigaonon words that are spelled similarly but they differ in meaning depending on how each syllable is stressed (Dumanig, 2005). Surigaonon language follows two intonation patterns like the rising and falling intonation. The rising intonation is common in asking yes or no questions and the falling intonation occurs in ending declarative and imperative statements (Dumanig, 2005)

Agriculture and Fishing

The city's primary agricultural produce includes rice, corn, vegetables, rootcrops, coconut, copra and bananas. It is a major supplier of fish and crustaceans; its exports reach buyers as far as Hong Kong, Japan and China. An integrated fishport is planned which includes functional facilities such as fish market, gear and commercial shops, administration building and fish container storage facilities.

Banking

As of 2022, multinational and national banks such as Asia United Bank, Banco de Oro (BDO), Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Chinabank, Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), EastWest Bank, Land Bank of the Philippines (formerly UCPB), Metrobank, Philippine National Bank (PNB), Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and Security Bank, among other banks, maintain branches in the city. There are 47 finance cooperatives, 52 pawnshops and 51 money changers/foreign exchange dealers, remittance centers, microfinancing institutions and savings and loans associations that maintain business offices in the city.

Fastfood

Major fastfood chains like Jollibee, Greenwich, Chowking and Mang Inasal have one or more branches in the city. McDonald's, currently with two branches since 2018, opened its first location in March 2013. Goldilocks opened its store in March 2015 and Red Ribbon, currently with two branches, opened in June 2016. Shakey's Pizza opened its first doors at the ground floor of Gaisano Capital Mall in June 2019. Mister Donut will also reopen its first doors at the ground floor of CityMall in July 2023.

Mining

In 2012, San Miguel Corporation won the rights to rehabilitate and operate the nickel mine in Nonoc Island for US$3 billion. The once bustling island, approximately 8 nautical miles from the city, has been identified as a special economic zone (Ecozone) by the national government, covering a 590- hectare area, to make use of existing island infrastructure, including a 1300-meter concrete airstrip and two 60,000 DWT seaport . The mining operations has been mothballed since 1986 due to the slumping prices of nickel at that time.

Surigao Mining Map 2011

Pacific Cement (PACEMCO), the only cement plant in the Caraga region, and now managed by San Miguel Corporation, is expected to resume mining operations in the city since it shutdown in 2014.

The entry of major international mining company Sumitomo with $1.3 billion investment in the province sparked renewed interest of its vast mineral reserves and has helped spur economic growth in the city. Other mining companies like Philex Mining Corporation, Mindoro Resources Ltd. and Anglo Ashanti are in various stages of exploration.

Since late 1960's, the city has been the de facto regional mining capital of the then Northern Mindanao region due to the massive mining investments in the province. Today, it is home to offices of various mining companies and the headquarters of the Bureau of Mines and Geosciences of Caraga region.

Retail

Gaisano Capital Surigao

During the last two decades, Surigao's retail activity expanded beyond its historical core near Luneta Park, transforming residential areas into newly built low rises. This rapid growth contributed to high cost of property rentals and limited space for expansion downtown. A new uptown shopping district is growing in Barangay Luna, spurred by the expansion of St. Paul University. Gaisano Capital Surigao Mall opened in December 2011, and ParkWay Mall opened during the last quarter of 2012. After years of stalled construction, CityMall opened in July 2023. Ace Hardware and Citi Hardware established branches with the latter opening its second branch in 2024 to meet the high demand for building materials in the city. International chain 7-Eleven has five branches since the first store opened in 2018. National chain Prince Hypermart has its first branch in Taft district, off the main shopping areas of the city. Robinson's and SM City have plans to construct new malls within the next five years. National and international pharmacy chains such as Mercury Drug, Southstar Drug, Rose Pharmacy and Watsons, have entered the lucrative local market.

Tourism

Tourism figures showed 312,000 tourist arrivals in the city in 2019, registering a 27% growth. Newly built hotels and lodging facilities increased the city's guest rooms, with larger hotels now capable of hosting national and regional conventions.

List of former and current city mayors

List of current barangay captains

Surigao City Barangay Captains (2022)

Transportation

Motorized tricycles, an indigenous form of auto- rickshaw that can accommodate about six passengers, is mainly the mode of transport in the city. Buses and jeepneys follow fixed routes to outlying barangays, towns and neighboring provinces. The city is also served by outrigger water taxis called pump boats that follow scheduled sea routes to island barangays. Larger vessels called Lantsa have scheduled trips to Siargao, Dinagat and Bucas Grande. Regular ferry service connects the city to ports in Southern Leyte, Cebu, Manila and Agusan del Norte. There are direct flights to Manila and Cebu originating from the city's airport with occasional chartered flights to Siargao, Butuan and Tandag.

The city is the northernmost terminus of the Pan-Philippine Highway (AH26) in Mindanao. Buses from its integrated Land Transport Terminal provide direct trips to Ormoc, Tacloban, Legazpi, Manila, Butuan, Tandag, Davao and Bislig (Mangagoy). Among the bus companies serving this terminal includes Bachelor Express, Philtranco, Davao Metro Shuttle, PP Bus Line and Surigao Express.

Completed in 2007, the San Juan-Lipata Coastal Road connects the Port of Lipata to downtown Surigao, cutting travel time in half. It includes a series of bridges across barangays San Juan and Sabang, including Banahaw bridge, which spans the Surigao tidal basin.

A new diversion road, connecting Sabang to National Highway AH26, will help decongest the main access to the city once completed, although it remained unfinished indefinitely.

Ports

Port of Surigao City

The Surigao City Port completed a ₱414 million expansion and upgrade in 2009 to increase its handling capacity and meet increased cargo demand, mainly from its mineral exports . Additional 2000 square meters of reclaimed area and 120 meters of berthing space were added. The port ranks as a major transshipment point in the region.

Lipata Port and Ferry Terminal serves as the entry point to Mindanao Island forming part of the extensive Pan-Philippine Highway (also called Maharlika Highway AH26) that originates from Laoag to its southern terminus in Zamboanga City. The port has regular ro-ro services to the ports of Liloan and San Ricardo, both in Southern Leyte. New port expansion is expected to complete in 2023 and will double its size.

Airport

Surigao Airport

Classified by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines as a principal domestic airport, Surigao Airport (SUG) is one of the two airports that serve the province of Surigao del Norte and northern parts of Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Norte. Cebgo and Airphil Express have regular scheduled flights from Surigao to Manila and Cebu. Small private planes operate chartered flights to Siargao's Sayak Airport. Due to increased passenger traffic and cargo, it is undergoing feasibility studies for future expansion to accommodate larger aircraft.

Telecommunications

New facilities built by leading telecommunication companies paved way for clear reception to other parts of the country and the rest of the world. PLDT (formerly PhilCom), Bayantel, Sun Cellular, Globe Telecom and Smart Communications (including formerly Cruztelco) operate cell towers in the city.

Healthcare

On February 11, 1997, the Congress of the Philippines enacted Republic Act 8244 converting Surigao Provincial Hospital into a regional training hospital and renamed it Caraga Regional Hospital, effectively expanding its scope and services that would include the entire Caraga region with a catchment population of over 2 million people. Today, this 150- bed tertiary hospital, a core referral facility, is rapidly expanding with intensive care units that includes Coronary, Pediatric, Surgical and Burn.

In October 2010, the city opened a ₱35 million Drug Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Anomar. Established under the aegis of the Department of Health, it is the first and only facility in the entire Caraga region solely focused on the treatment and rehabilitation of victims of substance abuse.

Other hospitals in the city include St. Paul University Hospital, Miranda Family Hospital, Surigao Medical Center, and Surigao Doctors' Hospital.

AM Stations

• DXRS RMN 918 (Radio Mindanao Network)
• DXSN 1017 Radyo Magbalantay (Catholic Media Network)
• DXKS 1080 RPN Radyo Ronda (Radio Philippines Network)

FM Stations

• 89.3 FMR Bagtik Radio (Philippine Collective Media Corporation)
• 93.3 Infinite Radio (St. Jude Thaddeus Institute of Technology)
• 94.1 iFM (Radio Mindanao Network)
• 94.9 Joy FM (Iddes Broadcast Group)
• 96.1 One FM (Radio Corporation of the Philippines)
• 97.3 Nickel Radio (Rizal Memorial Colleges Broadcasting Corporation)
• 100.5 DABIGC Radio (Prime Broadcasting Network)
• 101.1 DXSU FM (Surigao Education Center)
• 102.9 Radyo Natin (Manila Broadcasting Company/Radyo Natin Network)
• 104.7 Real Radio (PEC Broadcasting Corporation)
• 105.5 Brigada News FM (Brigada Mass Media Corporation)
• 106.5 Radyo Agong (Capitol Broadcasting Center/RSV Broadcasting Services)
• 107.3 DXMS FM (Subic Broadcasting Corporation)

TV Stations

• GMA Channel 10 Surigao - one of GMA Davao's 14 relay stations across Mindanao
• ABS-CBN Channel 12 Surigao (Defunct) - affiliated by SJTIT
• TV5 Channel 19 Surigao (Soon)
• S+A Channel 23 Surigao (Defunct)
• GTV Channel 27 Surigao
• GNN Channel 39 Surigao
• UNTV Channel 43 Surigao

Cable Providers

• Surigao Cable TV Network
• LTCOM Cable TV
• Cignal TV
• G Sat

Local

• Cagayan de Oro

International

• Hialeah, Florida, United States
• Seoul, South Korea