Santa Maria, officially the Municipality of Santa Maria, is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Davao Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 57,526 people.

History

Santa Maria was created as a municipality of Davao on June 18, 1966 out of 12 barangays and 15 barrios from Malalag, by virtue of Republic Act No. 4743. Basiawan was designated as the municipal seat. On May 8, 1967, the municipality became part of Davao del Sur following Davao's division under Republic Act No. 4867. On October 28, 2013, it was ceded to Davao Occidental as a result of a plebiscite, in which the majority of voters approved the creation of the new province.

Geography

The municipality, located on Mindanao Island, is about 40 km north-west of provincial capital municipality of Malita and about 1023 km south-south-east of Philippine main capital Manila. It is also located on the coast of Davao Gulf. The noted feature of Santa Maria is the Mount Monkeyawa, standing about more than a hundred-meter above sea level. And at the foot of this mountain, the Municipal Hall where it is located.

Climate

Barangays

Santa Maria is politically subdivided into 22 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

Demographics

Language and dialects

Economy

Government

Municipal officials 2022-2025: