The Municipality of Bongao is the main capital of Tawi-Tawi. Legendarily, Bongao was derived from a local term (both in Sinama and Tausog) "bangaw", a name of a bird like called "heron" in English which has a long tapering bill, large wings and soft plumage that abundantly inhabited the mountain ranges around this island in those days; thus, the place was identified with it.