In the later part of 1898, a group of natives fleeing from the municipality of Jabonga settled in a place recognized by the municipality of Cabadbaran as barrio Santiago, However, in 1924 the Aciga River swelled its banks, destroying all properties, crops and animals along it. This forced the inhabitants of Santiago, Cabadbaran to transfer to barrio Jagupit. In 1936, the name Aciga River brought t
he same damage to Jagupit which made the inhabitants decide to transfer at the foot of the hill, particularly at Sitio Paypay, which was then inhabited by two groups of natives, the Manobo and the Mamanwas. The construction of the national highway, which passes thru sitio Paypay, lured more people to settle in the place. Towards the end of 1936, thru a bill sponsored by the late Congressman Calo, the name Paypay was changed to Santiago in honor of Saint James or Santiago. In 1964, the barrio officials of Santiago indicated their desire to become a separate municipality. Finally, in 1969, it was created into a municipality thru Republic Act 5242. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT
The hierarchy of settlements classifies Santiago as a satellite municipality is a self-contained community with respect to basic daily needs of its populace and for other services and facilities, like hospital services and tertiary education, it will be dependent on a major urban center which in this case is Butuan City, the region’s sub-regional center. Based on its vision for a progressive agro and eco-tourism area sustainably managed by empowered citizenry, the Municipality of Santiago describes the development scenario as an opportunity to augment its income and generate its local revenues and other financial resources by increasing its productive rice areas of 125 hectares to 152 hectares and developing fully its potential eco-tourism sites from 50 hectares to 55 hectares Moreover, as the degree of its development soar high, poverty among its residents will gradually alleviate. Eventually, the locality will also generate employment while its marginal farmers will enjoy sustainable increased farm production. This municipality has been identified mainly as an agricultural area, where majority of its people are dependent on farming. Coconut is its major crop and the number one source of income of most farmers. Banana, corn and abaca are also identified as its potential crops. One of the existing potential resources in this municipality on agro-forest projects is the CBRMP-Santiago Upland Development Project with an area of 598 hectares which is presently engaged in planting fruit trees, particularly jackfruits, lanzones, durian and marang. This is special project has extended in seven (7) barangays and two (2) tribal communities, which aims on poverty alleviation and eliminates degradation of our forest. SALT farming has been identified as one of its priority projects. Santiago is lucky enough to have wonderful and scenic beauty spots like Mapaso Hot and Cold Spring. Bikangkang Falls, the winding crystal-clear Aciga River, the Kalinawan River and the towering Mabaho Mountain, which are the future source of income of the local government. In order to utilize fully its potential resources the local government has identified the following infrastructure support facilities and utilities needed, namely; farm-to-market roads, bridges, school buildings, irrigation and drainage system, flood control projects, pre and post-harvest facilities and resort facilities. These potential resources will enhance great impact to the economy of the municipality by augmenting its income, alleviate poverty, increase production and generate revenue. To the environment, they minimize erosion and flooding through agro-forest projects. While on land use, these resources will make idle lands into fully utilized and productive areas. And the community will finally become progressive of this future. The beneficiaries of this future development will be famers, fishermen, businessmen and the indigenous people. The identified potential persons in the community and in the LGU, who are supportive and have the political will to carry out development in this municipality, are the skilled workers, civilized IPs, technical men, NGOs and PO’s and the local officials. Undeveloped agricultural areas of barangays along Kalinawan River due to perennial flooding caused by the backflow of Aciga River because the siltation at the mount of the Kalinawan River. Abused forest natural resources done by illegal loggers that cause forest denudation. Most of the citizen in the locality is not deeply concerned of their surrounding due to inadequate personal needs of this family. Lastly the lack of the local planners towards progress hinders the implementation of the necessary conservation measures, and financial availability.
