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The Municipality of Socorro was once part of the Municipality of Pola and known as barangay “Catiningan”. On June 22, 1963, House Bill No. 132 authored by then Congressman Luciano Joson was enacted into a law known as RA 3609 creating Catiningan and the southern part of Pola into independent municipality. 

The town was named Socorro as a token of gratitude to the sponsoring lawmaker whose wife’s name is Socorro.

On July 27, 1963 it was officially inaugurated as a town and started to administer its local government function. Mr. Paulino Cabrera served as the first appointed municipal mayor by virtue of his appointment by then President Diosdado Macapagal. In the ensuing local elections for municipal officials held on November of the same year, Mr. Cabrera won convincingly and hence, became the first elected municipal mayor of this town. 

The political units of this municipality as defined and described under RA 3609 include the following barrios: Pasi, Subaan Leuteboro, Catiningan, Bayuin, the sitios of Fortuna, Daan , Lapog, Batong Dalig, Matungao, Calubayan, Bagsok, Bahugan, Sintakan, Maragook, Tiwi, and Mamao which later grew to a total of 26 barangays. Some of the names of the barangays, however, were also change later. 

On January 6,1968, a joint session of the municipal councils of Pola and Socorro was convened wherein an ordinance defining their respective municipal boundaries was enacted.

LOCATION, LAND AREA & POLITICAL SUBDIVISION

The Municipality of Socorro is located in the central area of the province of Oriental Mindoro at approximately 121°20’ longitude and 13°03 latitude. It is bounded on the north by Naujan Lake and the Municipality of Victoria, on the east by the Municipality of Pola, on the south by the Municipality of Pinamalayan, and on the west by the province of Occidental Mindoro. 

It is an agricultural municipality with a total land area of 19,535.44 hectares. It is 62 kilometers away from Calapan City and can be reached from this point within one hour or more of travel through the use of public utility vehicles.