Socorro, officially the Municipality of Socorro (Surigaonon: Lungsod nan Socorro; Tagalog: Bayan ng Socorro), is an island municipality in the province of Surigao del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 25,942 people.[5]

The municipal territory is contiguous with the island of Bucas Grande. Formerly a sitio and later a barrio in Dapa known as Bunga, it was established as a municipality on February 22, 1961, by virtue of Executive Order No. 219.[6]

Etymology

The municipality's name is derived from Spanish for "help." A popular folklore suggested that the name originated from a Spanish priest's plea for help when his sailboat nearly capsized amid a storm while he was en route to officiate Mass in 1920. Brave local men of the then-sitio rushed to assist, saving the priest and his companions. In gratitude, the priest named the place “Socorro” to honor their courage and willingness to help others in danger.[6]

It was previously named Bunga, which translates to "fruit."

Geography

Barangays

Socorro is politically subdivided into 14 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

  • Don Albino Taruc (Poblacion)
  • Del Pilar
  • Doña Helene
  • Honrado
  • Navarro (Poblacion)
  • Nueva Estrella
  • Pamosaingan (formerly Gardeña and part of Del Carmen)
  • Rizal (Poblacion)
  • Salog
  • San Roque
  • Santa Cruz
  • Sering
  • Songkoy
  • Sudlon

Climate

Climate data for Socorro, Surigao del Norte
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 27(81) 27(81) 28(82) 29(84) 30(86) 29(84) 29(84) 29(84) 30(86) 29(84) 29(84) 28(82) 29(84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 23(73) 23(73) 23(73) 23(73) 25(77) 25(77) 25(77) 25(77) 25(77) 25(77) 24(75) 24(75) 24(75)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 210(8.3) 161(6.3) 123(4.8) 85(3.3) 148(5.8) 186(7.3) 164(6.5) 157(6.2) 141(5.6) 190(7.5) 223(8.8) 200(7.9) 1,988(78.3)
Average rainy days 21.0 16.8 18.5 18.2 24.9 27.7 28.4 27.0 26.1 27.6 24.6 22.0 282.8
Source: Meteoblue[7]

Demographics

Socorro is noted for having 75 people's organization in 2023.[8]

Population census of Socorro
YearPop.±% p.a.
1970 6,946—    
1975 7,904+2.63%
1980 10,267+5.37%
1990 14,179+3.28%
1995 15,208+1.32%
2000 17,932+3.60%
2007 18,833+0.68%
2010 20,304+2.77%
2015 22,314+1.81%
2020 25,942+3.22%
2024 28,436+2.23%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[9][10][11][12][13]

Economy

Poverty incidence of Socorro

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
2000 66.13
2003 64.26
2006 54.00
2009 52.05
2012 58.74
2015 38.52
2018 31.97
2021 28.97

Source:Philippine Statistics Authority[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]

Socorro is a tourist destination and agricultural town, featuring the Sohoton Lagoons, Rock Islands, and the Atoyay Farmstead. The area also includes white sand beaches, limestone forests with high biodiversity, and communal agricultural areas like the Atoyay Farmstead. Notable wildlife species in the limestone forests include the tarsier, hornbill, and civet cat. Other attractions include several accessible lakes, Magkahuyog Falls, and extensive mangrove areas. Historical sites, such as the Colorum Uprising landmark, commemorating a 1924 revolt by a religious sect against government forces, while the Socorro Swimming Pool, originating from local springs, is a popular recreational site.

Socorro also has abundant yet undeveloped mineral resources, such as ore covering 50 hectares (120 acres), nickel 60 hectares (150 acres), and iron and gold covering 70 hectares (170 acres).[6]

References

  1. ^Municipality of Socorro | (DILG)
  2. ^"2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density"(PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived(PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. ^"2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  4. ^"PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. ^"2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  6. ^ abc"Municipality of Socorro". Province of Surigao del Norte. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  7. ^ „Socorro: Durchschnittstemperaturen und Niederschlag“ . Meteoblue . Abgerufen am 20. November 2019 .
  8. ^ „Konzentration von Volksorganisationen“ . Senat der Philippinen . Abgerufen am 30. September 2023 .
  9. ^ „Volkszählung 2024 (POPCEN): Bevölkerungszahlen vom Präsidenten offiziell erklärt“ . Philippinische Statistikbehörde. 17. Juli 2025. Abgerufen am 18. Juli 2025 .
  10. ^ Volkszählung (2015). „Caraga“ . Gesamtbevölkerung nach Provinz, Stadt, Gemeinde und Barangay . Philippinische Statistikbehörde . Abgerufen am 20. Juni 2016 .
  11. ^ Volks- und Wohnungszählung (2010). „Caraga“ (PDF) . Gesamtbevölkerung nach Provinz, Stadt, Gemeinde und Barangay . Nationales Statistikamt . Abgerufen am 29. Juni 2016 .
  12. ^ Volkszählungen (1903–2007). „Caraga“ . Tabelle 1. In verschiedenen Volkszählungen erfasste Bevölkerung nach Provinz/Hochurbanisierter Stadt: 1903 bis 2007. Nationales Statistikamt .
  13. ^ „Provinz von“ . Bevölkerungsdaten der Gemeinden . Forschungsabteilung der örtlichen Wasserversorgungsbehörde . Abgerufen am 17. Dezember 2016 .
  14. ^ „Armutsquote (PI):“ . Philippinische Statistikbehörde . Abgerufen am 28. Dezember 2020 .
  15. ^ „Schätzung der lokalen Armut auf den Philippinen“ (PDF) . Philippinische Statistikbehörde. 29. November 2005.
  16. ^ „Armutsschätzungen auf Stadt- und Gemeindeebene 2003“ (PDF) . Philippinische Statistikbehörde. 23. März 2009.
  17. ^ „Armutsschätzungen auf Stadt- und Gemeindeebene; 2006 und 2009“ (PDF) . Philippinische Statistikbehörde. 3. August 2012.
  18. ^ „Armutsschätzungen auf Gemeinde- und Stadtebene 2012“ (PDF) . Philippinische Statistikbehörde. 31. Mai 2016.
  19. ^ „Schätzungen der Armut in kleinen Gebieten auf Gemeinde- und Stadtebene; 2009, 2012 und 2015“ . Philippinische Statistikbehörde. 10. Juli 2019.
  20. ^ „PSA veröffentlicht die Armutsschätzungen auf Gemeinde- und Stadtebene für 2018“ . Philippinische Statistikbehörde. 15. Dezember 2021. Abgerufen am 22. Januar 2022 .
  21. ^"PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.