Santa Teresita, officially the Municipality of Santa Teresita, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 21,559 people.

Etymology

Santa Teresita is derived from Spanish for its patron saint, Thérèse of Lisieux, who is also known as St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face.

History

On December 28, 1961, the barrios of Sambat, Sinipian, Bihis, Calayaan, Irukan and Cutang Cawayan from the municipality of Taal; Calumala, Tambo, Saimsim and Burol from the municipality of San Nicolas; and Pacifico and Sampa from the municipality of San Luis were separated and constituted into a new and separate municipality known as Santa Teresita, by virtue of Executive Order No. 454 signed by President Carlos P. Garcia. Ireneo Aquino was appointed as its first municipal mayor, serving until June 1962. In 1971, barangay Antipolo was established as a separate barangay out of barangay Sinipian, as well as barangay Cuta East, which was separated from barangay Cutang Cawayan.

Geography

Santa Teresita is located at °N, °W along the southern lakeshore area of Taal Lake. Its boundaries are San Nicolas in the north, San Luis on the south, Taal on the west and Taal Lake on the northeast. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 16.30 km2 constituting NaN% of the 3,119.75 km2 total area of Batangas. Santa Teresita is 17 km from Batangas City and 122 km from Manila.

Barangays

Santa Teresita is politically subdivided into 17 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios. Currently, there are 3 barangays which are classified as urban.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2020 census, Santa Teresita had a population of 21,559. The population density was undefined PD/km2.

Economy

Gallery