Santiago, Isabela
Template:Infobox Philippine city
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 98,542 | — |
| 2000 | 110,531 | +2.49% |
| 2007 | 126,244 | +1.85% |
Santiago City (Officially named as City of Santiago) is a 1st class city in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 126,244 people in 22,401 households. Santiago is in the province of Isabela, 79 kilometers south of Ilagan, the provincial capital, and about 326 kilometers North of Metro Manila. The city sits on a vast area of predominantly flat and fertile land in the Cagayan Valley, surrounded by the Caraballo Mountains to the south, the Great Sierra Madre to the east and the Cordillera Mountain Range to the west.
Although Santiago is located at the southern end of Isabela, it is centrally located in the region and therefore plays an important part in the regional economy.
Geography
The total land area the city is 80% flat or nearly level land in the portions of northwestern, eastern and western parts of the city. While adjacent areas have gently undulating and moderately rolling areas, and the remaining areas constitutes steeply undulating and rolling lands. The Balintocatoc Hills is the highest point in the city.
The geographic coordinate of the city lies between 16º35’00” to 16º47’30” north latitude and 121º25’00” to 121º37’00” east longitude.
Economy
Santiago City is the commercial center of Region 2. As such, many commercial establishments, banking institutions, educational entities, as well as manufacturing companies are present in the city.
SM Prime Holdings, the biggest mall operator in the Philippines, will be building its first SM mall in Cagayan Valley. The mall is set to rise on a five hectare lot in Barangay Malvar to be called the SM Megamall Santiago. Alluad. February 26, 2009. "SM Prime to Build Santiago Megamall". Business Mirror. - SM Prime Holdings.
Vista Land, the biggest real estate developer in the country has already started constructing Camella Fields Isabela. It is also located in Barangay Malvar, adjacent to the multi-million peso Santiago City Integrated Terminal.
Tourism
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Tourism is a new industry in the city. Many landmarks are being developed to increase tourism activity.
Notable landmarks include:
- The Chapel of Transfiguration - located in the Balintocatoc Hills
- 14 Stations of the Cross
- Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette
- St. James Parish Church
- Mabini Circle
- Balay na Santiago (House of Santiago)- features important artifacts of the city
- Balay ti Amianan (House of the North)
- Balay ti Namnama (House of Hope)
- scenic views of rice fields and watershed areas.
Food establishments are also present such as, McDonalds, Jollibee, Greenwich, Cindys, Chowking, NE Restaurant and other locally based food entities.The presence of resorts, hotels and restaurants is also eminent.
List of Resorts and Hotels:
- Amancio Hotel
- King George Hotel
- Carig Plaza Hotel
- Green View lodge
- Honey lodge
- Diocitas Hotel
- Monte Carlo Hotel
- Spring Garden Resort and Hotel
- Wilmer's Resort and Hotel
- Captain's Farm Resort and Hotel
- Country Farm Resort and Hotel
Barangays
Santiago City is politically subdivided into 37 barangays.
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Schools, Colleges and Universities
COLLEGES:
- University of La Salette
- Isabela State University - Annex
- North Eastern College (NC)
- Infant Jesus Montessori
- Patria Sable Corpus College
- Southern Isabela Colleges of Arts and Trades(SICAT)
- STI Santiago
- AMA Santiago
- Cagayan Valley Computer and Technology College (CVCITC)
- SISTECH
- Metropolitan College of Science and Technology
HIGH SCHOOL:
- University of La Salette - High School dpt.
- Isabela State University - Annex
- Santiago Cultural Institute (SCI)
- Santiago National High School
- Cagayan Valley Christian Learning Center
- Children's First School
- North Eastern College - High School Dept.
- Rizal National High School
- Cabulay National High School
- Divisoria National High School
- Patul National High School
- Malini National High School
- Infant Jesus Montessori
ELEMENTARY:
- University of La Salette - Grade School
- La Salette Elementary
- United Methodist School
- Santiago Adventist Elementary School(SAES)
- Cagayan Valley Christian Learning Center
- Marian Montessori School
- North Eastern College
- Infant Jesus Montessori
- Children's First School
- Santiago South Central School
- Santiago North Central School
- Victory Norte Elementary School
- Dubinan Elementary School
- Rosario Elementary School
- Calaocan Elementary School
- Patul Elementary School
- Sinsayon Elementary School
- Baluarte Elementary School
- Sagana Elementary School
- Balintocatoc Elementary School
- Bannauag Norte Elementary School
- Luna Elementary School
- Villa Gonzaga Elementary School
- Nabuan Elementary School
- Nagassican Elementary School
- Cabulay Elementary School
- Buenavista Elementary School
- Ambalatungan Elementary School
- Batal Elementary School
- Divisoria Elementary School
- San Andres Elementary School
- Malini Elementary School
- Mabini Elementary School
- Salvador Elementary School
- Sinili Elementary School
- San Jose Elementary School
- Santa Rosa Elementary School
- Baptista Elementary School
- Seventh Adventist Church and School
History
The origin of Santiago City can be drawn from the first native settlement discovered by the early Spanish missionaries at the bank of the old Carig River (now Diadi River) from which its original name, Carig, was derived. The early inhabitants were the Gaddangs and the Ibanags. When the Spanish settled in, the city was named Pueblo of Santiago Apostol de Carig, with Santiago as the Spanish name of Saint James the Apostle. In the early 1950s, the Municipal President Vicente Carreon changed the name to simply Santiago. Santiago remained a municipality for 84 years.
Santiago was originally a part of the province Cagayan (comprising the whole Cagayan Valley region), which was reorganized as a political subdivision in 1583 with Nueva Segovia as its capital. On May 1, 1856, when the Province of Isabela was carved out by a Royal Decree, Santiago was among the towns relinquished to the newly created province. The first five barrios after the Cadastral survey in 1927 were Patul, Batal, Nabbuan, Buenavista and Dubinan.
It was said that there were only about three Filipino-owned sari-sari stores in Santiago in 1917. The settlers acquired most of their merchandise and other provisions from Chinese traders in Echague, the landing zone for products intended for Santiago and other towns, owing to its proximity to the Cagayan River.
It was when the Villa-Verde Trail was opened when things were set in motion. It facilitated the entry of immigrants from various provinces in Luzon to the Cagayan Valley and Santiago absorbed a sizable share of these travelers. The new route served as an impetus for growth and introduced new technologies and business opportunities.
Santiago survived through world wars, although badly damaged, and from then on developed to become the leading commercial and industrial city in Cagayan Valley.
In 1942, occupied by the Japanese forces entered in the town of Santiago.
In 1945, founded to the liberation in the town of Santiago province of Isabela beginning the defenders from the Philippine Commonwealth soldiers and Filipino guerrillas against the Japanese forces under defeated during World War II.
In December 17, 1993, the bill converting Santiago into an independent component city was approved by the Lower House. On the following year, the Senate Committee on Local Government approved another public hearing dated February 23, 1994.
On May 5, 1994, by virtue or Republic Act 7720 signed by His Excellency, President Fidel V. Ramos, Santiago was pronounced as an Independent Component City, the first in the Cagayan Valley Region. This made Santiago, self-governing and autonomous city from the rule of the provincial governor. Republic Act 8528 repealed this statute transforming it back to a component city. It was not until December 29, 1999, when the Supreme Court contested the validity of the latter decision and favored Santiago to be once again an independent component city. This declaration ushered in a new era for Santiago City’s constant progress.
Government
The city is governed by a mayor-council system. the Current mayor is Amelita Navarro. There are 10 City Counselor, the council is the official government body of the city, it is also known as SANGUNIANG PANGLUNGSOD. council agenda normally preceded by the City Vice mayor. No native was ever elected Mayor of Santiago since the Philippine became a Commonwealth and Republic.
During the Miranda Flagship, the city Government adopted the parental AxR Hybrid rice seed production as its flagship program for agriculture, which produces the offspring F1 Hybrid rice seed. This rice variety makes phenomenal yield of 249 per ha. doubling the income of Santiago City farmers per cropping, and is expected to bring Santiago City over 2 billion in income and also additional taxes of 17 million and the national government of 33 million per year.
After the previous leadership, The Navarro Administration added more life in culture and strengthen the livelihood of the people. The Navarros' spearheaded a unique program for farmers in planting on mid-summer and harvest by early September side-by-side in focusing on high-value fruits.
List of the current elected officials
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Sangguniang Panglungsod Members
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Culture
The City celebrates Pattaraday Festival or dubbed as Araw ng Santiago. Pattaraday is an Ibanag word which means unity. It celebrates the unity of the ethno-linguistic groups that have merged in the city to make it the melting pot of culture of Region II and contributed to the city’s progress and development-unity in action. it is celebrated every May 1- May 6 the founding anniversary of Santiago.
In 2007, The City was given a Presidential Award for the Most Child-Friendly City under the leadership of Mayor Navarro.
Transportation
Serving as a bridge to the region's provincial network, numerous bus terminals are present in the city. These include, Victory Liner, Nelbusco, Florida, Baliwag Transit, among others.
The Santiago City Integrated Terminal has also been established to cater public vehicles that operate from nearby provinces and locality to the city.
External links
- Official Website of the City Government of Santiago
- Philippine Standard Geographic Code
- 1995 Philippine Census Information
- 2000 Philippine Census Information
- 2007 Philippine Census Information
- More photos and information on Santiago City
- Information about Santiago City
[[[^ R. Alluad. February 26, 2009. "SM Prime to Build Santiago Megamall". Business Mirror. SM Prime Holdings]]]
 Province of Isabela | |
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Ilagan (capital and largest city) | |
| Municipalities |
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| Component Cities | |
| Independent Component City |
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| Barangays | |