Santa Maria, Romblon

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Santa Maria
Municipality
Map of Romblon with Santa Maria highlighted
Santa Maria
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 12°27′N 122°06′E / 12.450°N 122.100°E / 12.450; 122.100Coordinates: 12°27′N 122°06′E / 12.450°N 122.100°E / 12.450; 122.100
Country Philippines
Region MIMAROPA (Region IV-B)
Province Romblon
District Lone district
Founded 1982
Barangays 6
Government[1]
 • Mayor Artemio R. Madrid
 • Vice Mayor Dennis F. Corpin
Area[2]
 • Total 36.20 km2 (13.98 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 7,683
 • Density 210/km2 (550/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
Zip Code 5502
Dialing code 42

Santa Maria (formerly Imelda) is a fifth class municipality in the province of Romblon, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 7,683 people.[3]

Geography

Situated on the eastern side of Tablas Island, Santa Maria faces the Sibuyan Sea. It is bounded in the north by the municipality of San Agustin, in the south by the municipality of Alcantara, in the west by the municipality of Odiongan and in the east by Romblon Pass. Sta. Maria has a total land area of 3,620 hectares (8,900 acres).[2] It is generally mountainous with a limited portion of the plain area along the coast. The town is considered one of the most peaceful areas in the province.[4]

Barangays

Santa Maria is politically subdivided into 6 barangays.[2]

  • Bonga
  • Concepcion Norte (Pob.)
  • Concepcion Sur
  • Paroyhog
  • Santo Niño
  • San Isidro

History

Santa Maria was known in Spanish times as Cagbagacay, after a bamboo plant called "bagacay" in the local dialect, which was in abundance in the area. Back then it was still a barrio of Guintigui-an town. In 1910, barrio Cagbagacay was renamed Concepcion after its patron the Immaculada Concepcion.[5]

On 12 September 1982, barrio Concepcion (Norte) together with barrios Bonga and Concepcion Sur were organized and created into a new municipality by virtue of Batas Pambansa Blg. 234, authored by Assemblyman Nemesio Ganan Jr. The new municipality was named "Imelda", in honor of then First Lady Imelda Marcos, as well as to distinguish the town from Concepcion municipality on Maestro de Campo Island, also in Romblon.[6][5]

After the People Power Revolution in 1986 which toppled the regime of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the town was renamed Santa Maria on 17 April 1988 by virtue of Republic Act No. 6651, again in honor of its patron the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Three new barangays were added to the municipality: San Isidro, Paroyhog, and Sto. Nino.[7]

Demographics

Population census of Santa Maria
Year Pop.  ±% p.a.  
1960 3,812—    
1970 4,092+0.71%
1980 5,078+2.18%
1990 6,459+2.43%
1995 7,785+3.81%
2000 7,324−1.21%
2007 7,520+0.38%
2010 7,683+0.72%
Source: National Statistics Office[3]

Onhan, also known as Taga-onhan or Inunhan (Alcantaranhon style), is the native language of majority of its inhabitants, while Romblomanon or Ini is the native tongue in the two northern barangays of Bonga and Santo Niño (Bitaugan).

Local government

The following are the elected officials of Santa Maria for the term 2010–2013:

  • Mayor: Artemio R. Madrid
  • Vice-Mayor: Dennis F. Corpin
  • Councilors:
    • Gerry DV. Mendezabal
    • Marejane M. Mendezabal
    • May M. Manoy
    • Marlin M. Mariño
    • Henerito R. Ibabao
    • Roland M. Largueza
    • Jocelyn L. Orbe
    • Nower DC. Fillado

Sister city

Philippines Makati City: On 8 February 2008, Santa Maria Mayor Fred Fernandez and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay signed a sisterhood relationship agreement between the two local government units.[8]

See also

List of renamed cities and municipalities in the Philippines

References

  1. ↑ "Municipalities". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 31 January 2013. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Province: Romblon". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 31 January 2013. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010". 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 31 January 2013. 
  4. ↑ Profile: Santa Maria Romblon Travel Guide. Retrieved on 2012-04-16.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 About Santa Maria Wikimapia. Retrieved on 2012-04-16.
  6. ↑ "An Act Creating the Municipality of Imelda in the Province Of Romblon" PhilippineLaw.info Retrieved on 2012-04-16.
  7. ↑ "An Act Changing the name of the Municipality of Imelda in the Province Of Romblon to Municipality of Santa Maria" Chan Robles. Retrieved on 2012-04-16
  8. ↑ Press Release. Makati City Portal. Retrieved on 2012-04-16.

External links

 San Agustin
Odiongan Sibuyan Sea
   Santa Maria  
Alcantara
Province of Romblon
Municipalities
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