HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Town of Placer was founded by Captain Felipe Custodio together with Capitan Luis Patino in 1850. The place is a plain, along the shores and surrounded by hills with three (3) creeks, the Egdoy creek, named after the landowner; the Jagimit springs named after a vine and the ando ceek, named after the landowner. The creek enable the people in washing the glacial deposit containing gold. Thus Felipe Custodio named the place “PLACE”, which means, mines and happiness because the people were happy and prosperous enjoying the rich resources of gold, abundant supply on various kind of fish and bountiful harvest from the rice fields.

Between 1850 to 1860, the Spanish officials wanted to change the name of Placer in honor of Saints. Capitan Felipe Custodio two sons, Marcelino and Domingo who insisted that the place be permanently named “PLACER”, because the people means of livelihood was gold panning, practicing the method of extracting gold. This question was brought to the Spanish Authorities in Manila and fortunately were convinced as they were convinced as they were also interested on gold, thus, in 1860, the name “PLACER” was officially approved and from this time thrust were set forth for progress and development and placer become one of the oldest town in the province being mother municipality of Mainit (1930) and Tagana-an (1947) and the grandmother municipality of Tubod and Alegia .

The first Roman Catholic church parish priest was Father Ronaldo Sanchez, a Recollect priest in 1860 followed by a Jesuit, Father Antonio Franuto. In 1905 the Philippines Independent Catholic Church played a glorious part in the history of Placer as the town is predominantly Aglipayan. The first Secondary School in Placer was founded and backed by a group whose religious affiliation were Aglipayans.

During the American regime turned the economic and progress and development of the town. Mining companies in full operation and some under exploration poured their investments. Like the East Mindanao Mining Company; Mapaso Gold Field; km 73 Mining Company in Layab; and the Suyoc consolidated Mining Company. It was during this gold boom that Placer became the Mecca of the working class, people migrate from other places for employment.

PACKET PROFILE

Land Area :8,989 Has
Total No. of Barangays :20
Population :21,542 (as of May 1, 2000)
Classification :4th Class Municipality
Sea Area :7,305 Has.
Coastal Barangays :10

GEOGRAPHY

Placer municipality is located at the Northeast portion of Surigao del Norte it is bounded on the north by Tagana-an, on the west by Sison, on the south by Tubod and Bacuag and on the East by the Hinatuan Passage.

It include half of the Masapelid island where three barangays are located and three other smaller islands of Tinago, Banga, and Mahaba. The middle portion is centrally located within the mainland of the province and contains the junctions of major highways to Tandag and Butuan City, so the most of the barangays are accessible via major paved roads.

It’s topography is hilly with sloping areas and flat terrain. Low rising hills are interspersed by plains.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

SITE ATTRACTIONS

The ANTIQUES OF BARANGAY PANHUTONGAN

The BAHAY TURISTA AT BALUARTE ISLAND

The CAVES OF TINAGO ISLAND

The MAPASO HOTSPINGS

The CAGBANTOY BEACH

The WORLD CAVE-IN at the Manila Mining Corporation

The GOLD RUSH in Cangomod, Ellaperal

The MINES VIEW in the Manila Mining Corporation

The SR. SAN VICENTE SHRINE

TOURIST FACILITIES

ACCOMODATION

TRANSPORTATION

• Buses and jeepney ply the major roads from & to Surigao City, Butuan City and Tandag.
• Tricycle, usually motorbike with side car used for barangay destinations.
• Trisikad, a bicycle with side ca, mainly travel within urban barangays.
• Rent-A-Car. Recommended for out of town trips.

SUPPORT SERVICES

MEDICAL AND HEALTH FACILITIES

HOSPITAL

• Placer District Hospital, Barangay Ipil

HEALTH STATIONS

• Main Center at Barangay Magsaysay
• Rural Cental at Barangay Badas
• Rural Center at Barangay Sta. Cruz
• Rural Center at Barangay Mabini
• Rural Center at Barangay Tagbongabong
• Rural Center at Barangay Amoslog
• Rural Center at Barangay Pananay-an
• Rural Center at Barangay Lakandula
• Rural Center at Barangay Ellaperal

MEDICAL CLINIC (BADAS)

COMMUNICATION:

• Modern and efficient communication services such as international and local direct dialing telephone systems and facsimile;
• PHILCOM (BADAS)
• PHILCOM (MAGSAYSAY)
• PLDT (MAGSAYSAY)
• PUBLIC CALLING OFFICE (CENTRAL)

POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH SERVICES:

• DOTC TELECOMMUNICATION OFFICE (Central)
• PHIL.POSTAL CORPORATION (Central)
• PECBC CABLE TV (Central)

BANK SERVICES:

• Bank are open from 9:00 A.M. till 3:00 P.M. Mondays through Fridays
• Rural Bank of Placer
• Main Office – Central
• Branch Office – Badas

CHURCH SERVICES:

• Church of all denomination serve the religious needs of town residents. Roman Catholic is the predominant religion and Iglesia Filipina Indipendente.

SECURITY SERVICES:

• FIRE STATION – Barangay Magsaysay
• POLICE STATION – Barangay Central and Badas
• AFP HEADQUARTER – Barangay Sta. Cruz
• BPLK/CVO OUTPOST – 20 Barangays
• SECURITY AGENCIES – MMC, Barangay Magsaysay

^{Article Source: surigaodelnorteph.com}