Wikipedia

Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental

Santa Catalina, officially the Municipality of Santa Catalina (Cebuano: Lungsod sa Santa Catalina; Tagalog: Bayan ng Santa Catalina), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 77,501 people.[3]

Santa Catalina
Municipality
Municipality of Santa Catalina
Flag of Santa Catalina
Flag
Official seal of Santa Catalina
Seal
Nickname(s): 
Santa, Sta.Cata, Tolong
Map of Negros Oriental with Santa Catalina highlighted
Map of Negros Oriental with Santa Catalina highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Map
Santa Catalina is located in Philippines
Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 9°19′59″N 122°51′57″E / 9.33306°N 122.86583°E / 9.33306; 122.86583
CountryPhilippines
RegionNegros Island Region
ProvinceNegros Oriental
District 3rd district
FoundedDecember 17, 1947
Named forSt. Catherine of Alexandria
Barangays22 (see Barangays)
Government
 [1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorPeve O. Ligan (NPC)
 • Vice MayorKarl Patrick S. Jardiniano (NP)
 • RepresentativeVacant (Martin Romualdez serves as legislative caretaker)
 • Municipal Council
Members
 • Electorate46,073 voters (2022)
Area
[2]
 • Total
523.10 km2 (201.97 sq mi)
Elevation
164 m (538 ft)
Highest elevation
1,841 m (6,040 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total
77,501
 • Density150/km2 (380/sq mi)
 • Households
18,356
Economy
 • Income class1st municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
32.22
% (2021)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 314.1 million (2020), 129.1 million (2012), 193.6 million (2013), 164 million (2014), 189.8 million (2015), 202.3 million (2016), 229.6 million (2017), 265.2 million (2018), 272 million (2019), 310 million (2021), 412.2 million (2022)
 • Assets₱ 878.3 million (2020), 306.9 million (2012), 290.7 million (2013), 356.5 million (2014), 440.8 million (2015), 538.1 million (2016), 650.7 million (2017), 745 million (2018), 822.8 million (2019), 966 million (2021), 1,103 million (2022)
 • Expenditure₱ 340 million (2020), 111.4 million (2012), 127.2 million (2013), 121.8 million (2014), 123.4 million (2015), 136.8 million (2016), 155.5 million (2017), 199.1 million (2018), 198 million (2019), 246.3 million (2021), 297 million (2022)
 • Liabilities₱ 156.5 million (2020), 102.8 million (2012), 65.23 million (2013), 89.31 million (2014), 116.7 million (2015), 150 million (2016), 177.1 million (2017), 185.8 million (2018), 176.3 million (2019), 248 million (2021), 257.2 million (2022)
Service provider
 • ElectricityNegros Oriental 2 Electric Cooperative (NORECO 2)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
6220
PSGC
074618000
IDD : area code +63 (0)35
Native languagesCebuano
Magahat
Tagalog

The town is home to the Minagahat language, the indigenous language of Southern Negros as listed by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino. The language is vital to the culture and arts of the people.

Santa Catalina is 94 kilometres (58 mi) from Dumaguete.

Etymology

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The town of Santa Catalina got its name after the supposedly miraculous image of the patron saint, Santa Catalina de Alejandria, installed in the community chapel.

History

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Spanish Regime

The town of Santa Catalina was formerly named Tolong. In about 1572, Captain Miguel de Laorca, a member of Legaspi's expedition, sent the first Spanish mission led by Adrien Lajot, a Belgian mercenary (from Provence Liège) in order to take possession of Negros Island. During that period, there existed settlements at Lunsod (now Daan Lunsod), Secopan (now Secopong), and Cawitan ruled by three chieftains. It was said that these warring chieftains were settled and amicably fused by the Spaniards as a single settlement at Daan Lunsod. In the process of settling, the Spaniards referred to the chieftains as “Kamo Tolon”, (a mispronounced phrase for “Kamo Tolo” which means “The Three of You”). Hence, the name TOLON, and then eventually TOLONG.

Santa Catalina Parish Church

According to the Definatorio of June 11, 1580, the beginning of the Christian Organization of Negros Island was due to the Augustinian Friars. Because of the lack of priests, the secular priest of the Diocese of Cebu undertook the spiritual administration of Negros Island. He placed Dumaguete, Siaton, Marabao (now Bacong), and Manalongon (the name of the river) under the Ministry of Tanjay. In 1751, Tolong and the settlements further down south were taken over by the Recollect Friars because of the distance and difficulty of transportation.

Before 1855, the Recollect Friars who took over the mission of Tolong constructed a convent, a church, a cemetery, and a Tribunal House. The church was built of light materials but the convent and the Tribunal House were made of lime and limestone. In that same period, the poblacion of Tolong was moved and resettled from the old site, Daan Lunsod, to a site further down the coast where the church was built, the present location of Santa Catalina. Even today, a famous landmark can be seen in the form of a balete tree growing on what was left of a portion of a wall of the old Tribunal House, right in the heart of Santa Catalina, which has become a symbol of the town.

An adjacent town, Bayawan, became formally organized in the year 1872.

The occupation of Negros Island increased rapidly, and agriculture progressed in an inconceivable manner. The Spanish government, in order to attain better administration, formed and organized the Province of Negros Oriental in the year 1890, completely independent from the Occidental, Dumaguete was made capital of Negros Oriental and Tolong was next to the last town in the south to be within the Province of Negros Oriental.

American Regime

In the new regime of the American occupation, sometime in the year 1903, the Poblacion of Tolong and Bayawan could not meet the minimum requirement to qualify for a municipality. So the two poblacions were fused together making Bayawan as the main Municipality, calling it Tolong Nuevo, and Tolong was reduced to be a mere Barrio called Tolong Viejo.

Japanese Regime

When World War II broke out, the Japanese occupied Dumaguete on May 26, 1942. Since Tolong was the headquarters of the Guerrilla Movement under the leadership of Col. Abside with Lt. Gonzalo Melodia and some of his Tolong Viejo defenders, the Japanese visited the place with caution, landing only at dawn and back to Dumaguete in the afternoon. The recognized guerrilla unit was aided by local soldiers of the Philippine Commonwealth Army military units engage to encounter by attacking Japanese troops at Santa Catalina from 1942 to 1945 until retreating of all guerrilla fighters from the enemy hands. The province was liberated on April 26, 1945, by the combined forces of the United States Army, Philippine Commonwealth Army, Philippine Constabulary and the Recognized Guerrillas.

Post World War II

After the war, in 1945, Congressman Enrique Medina, who considered himself as a son of Tolong Viejo, sponsored a move to separate Tolong Viejo from Tolong Nuevo.

On December 17, 1947, President Manuel Roxas issued executive order No. 111, making Santa Catalina (previously Tolong Nuevo) the 26th municipality of Negros Oriental. After which, Tolong Nuevo immediately passed a resolution to rename their municipality Bayawan reviving the former name. Hence, the name TOLONG immediately disappeared.

Geography

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The topography of Santa Catalina is predominantly slightly rolling hills (70% of its area), 25% is flat, and the remainder is steep terrain. There are 8 rivers and 27 springs.

Barangays

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


PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2020[3] 2010[5]
074618001 Alangilan 5.4% 4,197 4,361 ▾ −0.38%
074618002 Amio 2.3% 1,787 2,118 ▾ −1.68%
074618003 Buenavista 1.5% 1,182 990 ▴ 1.79%
074618006 Caigangan 2.1% 1,662 1,386 ▴ 1.83%
074618008 Caranoche 5.6% 4,319 3,913 ▴ 0.99%
074618009 Cawitan 7.7% 5,953 5,809 ▴ 0.25%
074618010 Fatima 2.0% 1,577 1,317 ▴ 1.82%
074618004 Kabulakan 3.7% 2,872 2,480 ▴ 1.48%
074618011 Mabuhay 2.3% 1,770 1,847 ▾ −0.42%
074618012 Manalongon 6.5% 4,999 4,842 ▴ 0.32%
074618013 Mansagomayon 1.4% 1,123 1,011 ▴ 1.06%
074618014 Milagrosa 4.6% 3,599 3,385 ▴ 0.61%
074618015 Nagbinlod 3.9% 3,029 3,012 ▴ 0.06%
074618016 Nagbalaye 7.5% 5,829 4,957 ▴ 1.63%
074618017 Obat 3.0% 2,287 2,599 ▾ −1.27%
074618019 Poblacion 18.1% 14,034 12,515 ▴ 1.15%
074618020 San Francisco 5.9% 4,545 4,052 ▴ 1.15%
074618021 San Jose 3.2% 2,492 2,539 ▾ −0.19%
074618022 San Miguel 1.8% 1,433 1,282 ▴ 1.12%
074618023 San Pedro 3.9% 2,984 3,319 ▾ −1.06%
074618024 Santo Rosario 1.4% 1,063 1,315 ▾ −2.10%
074618025 Talalak 6.1% 4,765 4,257 ▴ 1.13%
Total 77,501 73,306 ▴ 0.56%

Climate

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Climate data for Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 31
(88) 		31
(88) 		32
(90) 		33
(91) 		31
(88) 		30
(86) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		30
(86) 		30
(86) 		30
(87)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22
(72) 		22
(72) 		22
(72) 		24
(75) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		24
(75) 		23
(73) 		24
(75)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 46
(1.8) 		45
(1.8) 		56
(2.2) 		83
(3.3) 		163
(6.4) 		203
(8.0) 		236
(9.3) 		204
(8.0) 		210
(8.3) 		211
(8.3) 		143
(5.6) 		77
(3.0) 		1,677
(66)
Average rainy days 12.1 9.8 14.3 17.5 26.0 27.8 28.4 26.9 26.7 27.9 23.3 17.2 257.9
Source: Meteoblue[6]

Dry season: November to April
Wet season: May to September
Average temperature: 36 °C (97 °F)

Demographics

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Population census of Santa Catalina
YearPop.±% p.a.
1948 8,819—    
1960 15,743+4.95%
1970 39,601+9.65%
1975 51,949+5.59%
1980 56,751+1.78%
1990 53,560−0.58%
1995 62,526+2.94%
2000 67,197+1.56%
2007 72,629+1.08%
2010 73,306+0.34%
2015 75,756+0.63%
2020 77,501+0.45%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[7][5][8][9]

Economy

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Poverty incidence of Santa Catalina

10
20
30
40
50
60
2006
53.00
2009
39.52
2012
43.05
2015
45.59
2018
28.60
2021
32.22

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]

Education

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The public schools in the town of Santa Catalina are administered by four school districts under the Schools Division of Negros Oriental.

Elementary schools

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  • Ambrosio M. Ramirez Elementary School — Alangilan
  • Amio Elementary School — Amio
  • Avocado Elementary School — Sitio Avocado, Talalak
  • Aw-a Elementary School — Sitio Aw-a, Poblacion
  • Bago-Bago Elementary School — Sitio Bago-Bago, Nagbalaye
  • Baknit Elementary School — Sitio Baknit, San Francisco
  • Buenavista Elementary School — Buenavista
  • Caigangan Elementary School — Caigangan
  • Caniogan Valley Elementary School — Sitio Matanog, Alangilan
  • Caranoche Elementary School — Caranoche
  • Carmen Teves Tia Memorial Elementary School — Sitio Sto. Niño, San Pedro
  • Cawitan Elementary School — Cawitan
  • Danao Elementary School — Sitio Danao, Nagbinlod
  • Elias R. Macias Memorial Elementary School — San Pedro
  • Fatima Elementary School — Fatima
  • Hingles Elementary School — Sitio Hingles, San Francisco
  • Jagna Elementary School — Sitio Jagna, Nagbalaye
  • Jose Lalamonan Elementary School (formerly San Jose ES) — San Jose
  • Kabulakan Elementary School — Kabulakan
  • Kakha Elementary School — Sitio Kakha, Talalak
  • Kanggabok Elementary School — Sitio Kanggabok, Nagbinlod
  • Mabuhay Elementary School — Mabuhay
  • Malatubahan Elementary School — Milagrosa
  • Manalongon-Nicolas Nalam Lajot Central School — Manalongon
  • Manggolod Elementary School — Sitio Manggolod, San Jose
  • Mansagomayon Elementary School — Mansagomayon
  • Marcelino E. Elligan-Banlas Elementary School — Sitio Nagub-an, Milagrosa
  • Nagbalaye Elementary School — Nagbalaye
  • Nagbinlod Elementary School — Nagbinlod
  • Obat Elementary School — Obat
  • Omol Elementary School — Sitio Omol, Talalak
  • Omoso Elementary School — Sitio Nahulan, Mansagomayon
  • San Francisco Elementary School — San Francisco
  • San Isidro Elementary School — Sitio Cantiban, San Pedro
  • San Miguel Elementary School — San Miguel
  • San Vicente Elementary School — Sitio San Vicente, San Miguel
  • Sta. Catalina Central Elementary School — Nat'l Highway, Poblacion
  • Sta. Catalina Science Elementary School — Nat'l Highway, Poblacion
  • Sto. Rosario Elementary School — Santo Rosario
  • Sto. Tomas Elementary School — Sitio Pinangimnan, Obat
  • Talalak Elementary School — Talalak
  • Tamlang Elementary School — Sitio Tamlang, Talalak
  • Tubod Elementary School — Sitio Tubod, Nagbinlod

High schools

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  • Amio Comprehensive High School — Amio
  • Avocado Community High School — Sitio Avocado, Talalak
  • Casiano Z. Napigkit National High School — Manalongon
  • Cawitan High School — Cawitan
  • Don Emilio Macias Memorial National High School — San Francisco
  • Eligio T. Monte de Ramos High School (formerly Milagrosa HS) — Milagrosa
  • Kakha High School — Sitio Kakha, Talalak
  • Nagbalaye High School — Nagbalaye
  • Nagbinlod High School — Nagbinlod
  • Obat High School — Obat
  • Pedro R. Abul Memorial High School — Sitio Cantiban, San Francisco
  • San Miguel High School — San Miguel
  • Sta. Catalina National High School — Nat'l Highway, Poblacion
  • Sta. Catalina Science High School — Cawitan
  • Tamlang High School — Sitio Tamlang, Talalak

Private schools

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  • Sta. Catalina Academy — Nat'l Highway, Poblacion
  • Sta. Catalina de Alejandria Catholic School Inc. — Sta. Catalina Street, Poblacion

Government

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List of former chief executives

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The former mayors of Santa Catalina are:

  • 1948–1951: Telesforo Belloso (First Appointed Mayor)
  • 1951–1968: Herminio T. Electona (first elected Mayor)
  • 1968–1971: Jose N. Napigkit
  • 1971–1980: Herminio T. Electona
  • 1980–1986: Jose N. Napigkit
  • 1986–1987: Herminio T. Electona
  • 1987–1998: Jose N. Napigkit(Appointed OIC Mayor)
  • 1998–2007: Leon M. Lopez
  • 2007–2010: Ruben O. Melodia
  • 2010–2013: Leon M. Lopez
  • 2013–2018: Nataniel Electona
  • 2018–2019: Nelson C. Lopez
  • 2019–Present: Peve O. Ligan

References

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  1. ^  Municipality of Santa Catalina | (DILG)
  2. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Census of Population (2020). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. ^ a b Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VII (Central Visayas)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Santa Catalina: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  7. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  8. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  9. ^ "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  10. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  11. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  12. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
  13. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
  14. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
  15. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
  16. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  17. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Santa Catalina (Negros Oriental).
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