Ligao was named after the word ticau, an abundant tree that has poisonous leaves used to catch fish from rivers and creeks.

Another variation is from the Tagalog word ligaw which means to court or win a woman’s love.

On January 2, 1997, Mayor Fernando V. Gonzalez's efforts has made possible the cityhood of Ligao.

Four years later, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Republic Act 9008 on February 21, 2001, making it as the sixth city in the Bicol Region.

Poverty incidence of Ligao Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] As of May 2022, there are 3 major banks in operation.