Loreto, Agusan del Sur

Loreto is a 1st class municipality in the province of Agusan del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 31,365 people in 5,572 households.

Barangays

Loreto is politically subdivided into 17 barangays.

* Binucayan * Johnson * Magaud * Nueva Gracia * Poblacion * San Isidro * San Mariano * San Vicente * Santa Teresa

* Santo Tomas * Violanta * Waloe * Kasapa * Katipunan * Kauswagan * Santo Niño * Sabud

Historical Background

It was in the year 1600 when the Spaniards first came to the upper reaches of Agusan and discover the Manobos. In convincing the manobos to organized themselves and lived in a settlement/community. The settlement was given the name of “LORETO” in remembrance of Fr. Urios beloved town in Spain. On March 30, 1965.

Physical Characteristics

The municipality of Loreto is one of the river towns situated southwest of the Province of Agusan del Sur. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of La paz, in the northeast by the municipality of Bunawan, in the southeast by the municipality of Veruela, all of The Province of Agusan del Sur. The Provinces of Bukidnon and Davao del Norte bound its Western and Southern portion. Loreto occupies a land area of 185,054 hectares comprising of 17 regular barangays and 4 special barangays with a total population of 32,836 as of CY 2001. Loreto is a strategically situated as a junction point to various destination within Agusan del Sur and nearby Provinces. The accessibility of Loreto to Provincial Center, Patin-ay, Prosperidad has three main routs. The Loreto-Sta. Josefa-Trento route of 118.36 kilometers. The Loreto-Lapaz -Talacogon route of 85.53 kilometers and Loreto-Bunawan route of 87.52 kilometers with two hours of Pump boat cruising Agusan river.

External links

* [http://www.elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/loretoads]
* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/default.asp Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [http://www.t-macs.com/kiso/local/ 2000 Philippine Census Information]