Santa Cruz (, officially the Municipality of Santa Cruz (; ), is a municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the , it has a population of people.

Etymology

thumb|left|Aerial view of Santa Cruz, 1923

The place now known as Santa Cruz was the site where Captain Juan de Salcedo landed to get provisions, especially water, on his way to pacify the north. As soon as they came ashore, his men immediately went to the top of the highest sand dune and planted a big wooden cross to signify that the place has been conquered (like what they did later in Santa Catalina). This cross is visible to mariners passing by, often describing the place as "Santa Cruz." The cross may have vanished, but the name Santa Cruz stuck, especially with natives who became Christians.

Geography

The Municipality of Santa Cruz is bordered by the municipalities of Santa Lucia and Salcedo to the north, Sigay and Suyo to the east, and Tagudin to the south

Santa Cruz is situated from the provincial capital Vigan, and from the country's capital city of Manila.

Barangays

Santa Cruz is politically subdivided into 49 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

  • Amarao
  • Babayoan
  • Bacsayan
  • Banay
  • Bayugao Este
  • Bayugao Oeste
  • Besalan
  • Bugbuga
  • Calaoaan
  • Camanggaan
  • Candalican
  • Capariaan
  • Casilagan
  • Coscosnong
  • Daligan
  • Dili
  • Gabor Norte
  • Gabor Sur
  • Lalong
  • Lantag
  • Las-ud
  • Mambog
  • Mantanas
  • Nagtengnga
  • Padaoil
  • Paratong
  • Pattiqui
  • Pidpid
  • Pilar
  • Pinipin
  • Poblacion Este
  • Poblacion Norte
  • Poblacion Sur
  • Poblacion Weste
  • Quinfermin
  • Quinsoriano
  • Sagat
  • San Antonio
  • San Jose
  • San Pedro
  • Saoat
  • Sevilla
  • Sidaoen
  • Suyo
  • Tampugo
  • Turod
  • Villa Garcia
  • Villa Hermosa
  • Villa Laurencia

Climate

Demographics

In the 2024 census, Santa Cruz had a population of 41,296 people. The population density was .

Language

The predominant dialect spoken in Santa Cruz is Ilocano.

Economy

Government

Local government

Santa Cruz, belonging to the second congressional district of the province of Ilocos Sur, 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 councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

Elected officials

<!--NOTE: Update needed by June 30, 2022 after oath-taking of the declared winners in the May 9, 2022 local elections.-->

{| class="wikitable" style="line-height:1.20em; font-size:100%;"

|+ Members of the Municipal Council<br/>(2019–2022)

|-

! Position

! Name

|-

| Congressman

| style="text-align:center;" | Kristine Singson-Meehan

|-

| Mayor

| style="text-align:center;" | Teresita C. Valle

|-

|Vice-Mayor

| style="text-align:center;" | Virgilio J. Valle

|-

|rowspan=8| Councilors

| style="text-align:center;" | Cesar D. Javillonar

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Jeptah Domz J. Gines

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Fernando M. Javonillo Jr.

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Renato A. Quilop

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Nelia S. Gabuat

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Benjamin A. Guieb Jr.

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Carlos S. Sumbad

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Rogelio J. Figuracion

|-

|}

Education

The Sta. Cruz Schools District Office governs all educational institutions situated within the municipality.

Primary and elementary schools

  • Amarao Elementary School
  • Babayoan Elementary School
  • Bacsayan Primary School
  • Banay Primary School
  • Bayugao Primary School
  • Besalan Elementary School
  • Calaoaan Elementary School
  • Caparia-an Elementary School
  • Caparia-an UMC Kiddie Center of Excellence
  • Daligan Primary School
  • Dili Elementary School
  • Lantag Elementary School
  • Linggawa Primary School
  • Nagtenga Elementary School
  • Padaoil Elementary School
  • Pattiqui-Gabur Sur Elementary School
  • Pilar Elementary School
  • Pinipin Elementary School
  • Quinsoriano Primary School
  • Sagat Elementary School
  • San Jose Elementary School
  • Sevilla Elementary School
  • Sidaoen Elementary School
  • Sta. Cruz Central School
  • Villa Hermosa Elementary School

Secondary schools

  • Amarao National High School
  • Dili National High School
  • Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy (Sevilla)
  • Pascual Rivera Pimentel Memorial Academy
  • San Jose High School
  • Sta. Cruz Institute

References

  • Pasyalang Ilocos Sur
  • Philippine Standard Geographic Code
  • Philippine Census Information
  • Local Governance Performance Management System