Santa Maria, officially the Municipality of Santa Maria, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 25,758 people.

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, who were rooted 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

Barangays

Santa Maria is politically subdivided into 20 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Santa Maria, Isabela, was 25,758 people, with a density of undefined PD/km2.

Economy

Government

Local government

As a municipality in the Province of Isabela, government officials in the provincial level are voted by the electorates of the town. The provincial government have political jurisdiction over 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 councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being 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.

Elected officials

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 office governs the public and private elementary and public and private high schools throughout the municipality.

Notable personalities