Geographical Location

The Municipality of San Francisco is geographically located on the southeastern tip of the province. Bounded on the north is the Municipality of Mulanay; on the northeast is Municipality of San Narciso; east, southeast Municipality San Andres: south Sibuyan Sea; and on the west Tayabas Bay; and the municipality is geographically located at coordinate 13°20’21” longitudes and 122°30’48”. It is about 315 kilometers southeast of Metro Manila and about 179 kilometers Southeast of Provincial Capital City of Lucena. It is accessible by both land and water Transportation from Lucena City.

TOPOGRAPHY

San Francisco is primarily a coastal municipality. The municipality is characterized by ragged terrain with few plains, valleys and swamps. The undulating lowlands along the coast are well drained.

The slope in this municipality ranges from 0 – 3% to 18% and above. The elevated portion is at Barangay Cawayan I, Cawayan II and Huyon-Uyon which has a slope of 15% and above. The Barangay Poblacion is in 0 – 3% slope category, characterized by flat terrain planted to coconut and other agricultural crops. Slopes with range of 8 – 15% are utilized for pasture characterized with a flat to rolling terrain. Areas with 15% and above are those considered as mountain and forest land situated in Barangay Cawayan I, Cawayan II, Huyon-Uyon and Pagsangahan. Susceptibility to erosion is directly proportional to the slope percentage and degree of susceptibility.

Slope Classification

SOIL SUITABILITY

San Francisco has three (3) types of soil; cover these are Faraon Clay, Catanauan Clay Loam, and Bauan Clay Loam. These soil types as the most extensive upland soil of the province, mostly found in Bondoc Peninsula area.

The main source of potable water are natural springs, underground sources through jetmatic pumps, open deep wells, and watersheds areas located at Barangay Cawayan I, Cawayan II, Inabuan, Ilayang Tayuman, Casay, and Sto. Niño. The municipality of San Francisco has numerous rivers and creeks, particularly the Aurora River, which is enough to supply the town with abundant water not only for domestic but also for agricultural and industrial purposes. Different barangays have their own sources of water for domestic use; for agricultural purposes rivers and creeks are main source of water. Rainfall still considered as one of the major sources of water, an average rainfall of 1,407.6 cubic millimeters.

The municipality has numerous rivers and creeks, particularly the Inabuan, Silongin, Pagsangahan, Colong-Colong, Butanguiad, Maniongon, Talisay, Ilayang Tayuman River, Taingon creek and Busdak creek. Barangay Butanguiad, Casay, Cawayan I, Cawayan II, Don Juan Vercelos, Ibabang Tayuman, Ilayang Tayuman, Inabuan, Nasalaan, Pagsangahan, Pugon, Sto. Niño, and Silongin have potable water supply. Rivers/creeks are present in the barangays and utilize for agricultural purposes.

GEOHAZARD

Flood and Landslide

The municipality of San Francisco is composed of sixteen (16) barangays wherein categorically eleven (11) are classified as coastal barangay and the remaining five (5) are mountainous.

Eight (8) barangays were found to be landslide prone, while five (5) were flood prone, and three were evaluated to be both landslide and flood prone. these three barangays and their respective Punong Barangays were given LANDSLIDE AND FLOOD THREAT ADVISORY. The advisory confirms the hazard present within their jurisdiction and recommend/suggests applicable mitigating measures that could help minimize or lessen or lessen the effect of these hazards.

Barangay Huyon-Uyon and Pagsangahan were assessed to be highly susceptible to Landslide;
Barangay Cawayan II considered as both moderate to highly susceptible to landslide;
Barangay Silongin, Casay, Cawayan I, Pugon, Nasalaan, Sto. Niño, Inabuan & Mabunga are considered moderately susceptibility;
Barangay Poblacion and Butanguiad are considered as low to moderately susceptibility;
The remaining Nine (9) barangays namely Ilayang Tayuman, Ibabang Tayuman, Don Juan Vercelos are of low landslide susceptibility; and
Barangay Poblacion and Inabuan have low susceptible to flooding, Barangay Cawayan I and II are moderate susceptible to flooding while portion of Cawayan I is highly susceptible to flooding.

Land Area

The municipality of San Francisco is consisting of sixteen (16) Barangays; Poblacion is classified as urban and the rest is rural. The Total land area is 30,396 hectares. The four largest barangays in terms of land area are: Huyon-Uyon, rank number one (1) or 12.23%; second is Pagsangahan, 10.52%; third is Casay, 7.62% and the fourth is Nasalaan, 7.56% of the total land area, respectively.