Santa Maria, Romblon

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Santa Maria
Municipality
Map of Romblon with Santa Maria highlighted
Map of Romblon with Santa Maria highlighted
Santa Maria is located in Philippines
Santa Maria
Santa Maria
Location within the Philippines
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Country Philippines
Region MIMAROPA (Region IV-B)
Province Romblon
District Lone district
Founded 1982
Barangays 6
Government[3]
 • Mayor Artemio R. Madrid (NP)[1]
 • Vice Mayor Bic Bic Fabon (IND)[2]
 • Councilors[4] Marlin Mariño (NP)
Roland Largueza (NP)
Lilia Mindo (UNA)
Limuel Mijares (IND)
Juan Meran (NPC)
Alfredo Recto, Sr. (IND)
Vivian Mendezabal (IND)
Hener Ibabao (NPC)
Area[5]
 • Total 36.20 km2 (13.98 sq mi)
Population (2010)[6]
 • 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.

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.[7]

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.[7][8]

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.[9]

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).[5] 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.[10]

Barangays

Santa Maria is politically subdivided into 6 barangays.[5]

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

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 +2.44%
1995 7,785 +3.56%
2000 7,324 −1.30%
2007 7,520 +0.36%
2010 7,683 +0.78%
Source: National Statistics Office[6]

According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 7,683 people.[6] 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

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Pursuant to Chapter II, Title II, Book III of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991,[11] the municipal government is composed of a mayor (alkalde), a vice-mayor (bise alkalde) and members (kagawad) of the legislative branch Sangguniang Bayan alongside a secretary to the said legislature, all of which are elected to a three-year term and are eligible to run for three consecutive terms.

Period Mayor Vice mayor
30 June 2010 - 30 June 2013
Artemio R. Madrid (NP)[12]
Dennis Corpin y Fortu (Lakas–CMD)[13]
30 June 2013 – 30 June 2016
30 June 2016 - incumbent
Bic-Bic Fabon (IND)[14]

The incumbent mayor is Artemio R. Madrid while the incumbent vice-mayor is Bib-Bic Fabon of Independent Party as of 2016.[15]

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.[16]

See also

References

External links