It started as a barrio called "Suangan," attributed to the abundance of a tree called "sawong." The tree was the source of a sticky juice used by the people to light their houses at night.
Lawyer Gervasio Lira Lavilles, "the Brains of the Cebu City Charter" and also a historian, wrote that it was renamed as San Francisco in honor of a saintly old man named Francisco.
During the Spanish Regime the following served as capitanes, who acted as chief executives: Apolonio Navarro, Cipriano Arquillano, Paulino Luchaves, Margarito Arquillano, Dionisio Moraga, Simeon Olofernes, Narciso Parama, and Nacario Parama.
When the Americans replaced the Spaniards in 1899 after we were sold by Spain to the United States through the document called the Treaty of Paris signed on December 10, 1898, the following served as Municipal Presidents: Macario Parama, Lucio Arquillano, and Eusebio Formentera.
When the title of the chief executive was changed from municipal president to mayor, the following were elected: Ricardo L. Maningo, Margarito N. Maningo, and Dr. Abel Borromeo.
During the leadership of Ricardo L. Maningo, the mayor after World War II, the following were his fellow public servants of San Francisco: Vice Mayor Antonio Porcaro, councilors Pelagio Liston, Porferio Jabilles, Andres Jabilles, Pedro Latonio, Nemesio Catalan, and Magdaleno Argallon, municipal treasurer Simeon Casia, chief of police Andres Capao, and justice of the peace Francisco D. Botter.
During the leadership of Dr. Abel P. Borromeo, the following served as his co-officials: Vice Mayor Moises Limpio, municipal secretary Uldarico Arquillano, judge Mamerto D. Polancos, treasurer Teofilo Gabud, chief of police Damiano L. Rocacurva, and health officer Dr. Maximo A. Costas. The councilors were Alfred S. Arquillano, Severino P. Capao, Pedro Bano, Atty. Romualdo L. Impas, Ernesto B. Flores, Pedro H. Tuazon, Ramos D. Olofernes, and Pelagio Liston.
The early post-war justice of the peace of San Francisco, Francisco D. Botter was from Catmon, Cebu, the latter was admitted to the Bar on March 31, 1948. While judge Romualdo L. Impas became a lawyer on February 7, 1963.