Santa Maria (Ibanag: Ili nat Santa Maria; Ilocano: Ili ti Santa Maria; Tagalog: Bayan ng Santa Maria), officially the Municipality of Santa Maria, is a municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 25,919 people.
Contents
Etymology
Santa Maria, a former barrio of San Pablo, is named after Doña Maria, the firstborn child of Don Pablo Marasigan, a Spaniard, and Doña Masid, a native.
History
In 1703, the hamlet of Santa Maria de Luzon was established as a pueblo and detached from Cabagan (now San Pablo town), with Don Martin Masigan serving as governor. The establishment of the town was credited to the influential Masigan family, whose roots were in the place and have served as the town's chief executives for most of its history.
On December 4, 1879, a royal order legally split the historic town of Santa Maria from Cabagan, with Dominican Fray Exequiel Pinilla serving as cura parroco. The Masigan family's influence led to the town's secession.
As it neighbors the Cordillera mountains, the town served as a starting point for Spanish military expeditions to conquer the Kalingas, who nevertheless continued to trade in the town.
Geography
Santa Maria is 50.93 kilometres (31.65 mi) from the provincial capital Ilagan, 468.59 kilometres (291.17 mi) from the country's capital city of Manila.
Barangays
Santa Maria is politically subdivided into 20 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.
Demographics
In the 2024 census, the population of Santa Maria was 25,919 people, with a density of 190 inhabitants per square kilometre or 490 inhabitants per square mile.
Economy
Poverty incidence of Santa Maria (%)
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority
Government
Local government
As a municipality in the Province of Isabela, government officials at the provincial and municipal levels are voted by the town. The provincial government has political jurisdiction over most local transactions of the municipal government.
The municipality of Santa Maria is governed by a mayor, designated as its local chief executive, and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the municipal councilors are elected directly in polls held every three years.
Barangays are also headed by elected officials: Barangay Captain, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors. The barangays have SK federation which represents the barangay, headed by SK chairperson and whose members are called SK councilors. All officials are also elected every three years.
Congress representation
Santa Maria, belonging to the first legislative district of the province of Isabela, is currently represented by Antonio T. Albano.
Education
The Schools Division of Isabela governs the town's public education system. The division office is a field office of the DepEd in Cagayan Valley region. The Sta. Maria Schools District Office governs the public and private elementary and high schools throughout the municipality.
Secondary schools
Buenaventura G. Masigan National High School
Naganacan-Villabuena National High School
Santa Maria National High School
Notable personalities
Mutya Johanna Datul - Miss Supranational 2013