Santiago City

Infobox Philippine city
infoboxtitle = City of Santiago
sealfile = Ph_seal_isabela_santiago_city.png locatormapfile = Ph_locator_isabela_santiago.png caption = Map of Isabela showing the location of Santiago City.
region = Cagayan Valley (Region II)
province = Isabela
districts = 4th District of Isabela
barangays = 37
class = 1st class city, independent component city
mayor = Amelita Sison Navarro
founded = May 1858
website = www.cityofsantiago.gov.ph
pop2000 = 110,531
popden2000 = 433.5
areakm2 = 255
cityhood = July 6, 1994
coordinates =

Santiago City is a 1st class city in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 110,531 people in 22,401 households.

Barangays

Santiago City is politically subdivided into 37 barangays.

About Santiago City

Santiago,is situated in the province of Isabela some 79 kilometers south of Ilagan (provincial capital town) and about 326 kilometers North of Metro Manila. The city sits on a vast area of predominantly flat and fertile land in the Cagayan Valley, which is surrounded by mountain ranges that include the Caraballo Mountains in the south, the Great Sierra Madre in the east and the Cordillera Mountain Range in the west. In Terms of absolute geographic location, the city lies between 16º35’00” to 16º47’30” north latitude and 121º25’00” to 121º37’00” east longitude.

Although Santiago is located in the southern periphery of Isabela, its economic importance is very much linked to its geographic centrality in the context of the regional space economy. In other words, the growth potential of the city is tremendous given the role that it presently performs in the surrounding area as a bridge in Region 2’s provincial network.

History

The origin of Santiago City can be drawn from the first native settlement discovered by the early Spanish missionaries at the bank of the old Carig River (now Diadi River) from which its original name, Carig, was derived. The early inhabitants were the Gaddangs and the Ibanags. When the Spanish settled in, the city was named Pueblo of Santiago Apostol de Carig, with Santiago as the Spanish name of Saint James the Apostle. In the early 1950s, the Municipal President Vicente Carreon changed the name to simply Santiago. Santiago remained a municipality for 84 years.

Santiago was originally a part of the province Cagayan (comprising the whole Cagayan Valley region), which was reorganized as a political subdivision in 1583 with Nueva Segovia as its capital. On May 1, 1856, when the Province of Isabela was carved out by a Royal Decree, Santiago was among the towns relinquished to the newly created province.

It was said that there were only about three Filipino-owned sari-sari stores in Santiago in 1917. The settlers acquired most of their merchandise and other provisions from Chinese traders in Echague, the landing zone for products intended for Santiago and other towns, owing to its proximity to the Cagayan River.

It was when the Villa-Verde Trail was opened when things were set in motion. It facilitated the entry of immigrants from various provinces in Luzon to the Cagayan Valley and Santiago absorbed a sizable share of these travelers. The new route served as an impetus for growth and introduced new technologies and business opportunities.

Santiago survived through world wars, although badly damaged, and from then on developed to become the leading commercial and industrial city in Cagayan Valley.

In 1942, occupied by the Japanese forces entered in the town of Santiago.

In 1945, founded to the liberation in the town of Santiago province of Isabela beginning the defenders from the Philippine Commonwealth soldiers and Filipino guerrillas against the Japanese forces under defeated during World War 2.

On May 5, 1994, by virtue or Republic Act 7720 signed by His Excellency, President Fidel V. Ramos, Santiago was pronounced as an Independent Component City -- the first in Region 2. This made Santiago self-governing and autonomous from the rule of the provincial governor. Republic Act 8528 repealed this statute transforming it back to a component city. It was not until December 29, 1999, when the Supreme Court contested the validity of the latter decision and favored Santiago to be once again an independent component city. This declaration ushered in a new era for Santiago City’s constant progress.

Government

Hon. Amelita S. NavarroCity Mayor

Hon. Alvin AbayaCity Vice Mayor

SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD MEMBERSHon. Abegail V. Sable Hon. Paul C. De Jesus Hon. Jose Romeo S. dela Cruz Hon. Victorio V. Miranda, Jr. Hon. Arlene Jane A. Reyes Hon. Orlando T. Chan Hon. Marcelino C. Cabucana, Jr. Hon. Augusto B. Sarangaya Hon. Paul S. Silverio Hon. Manuel H. Afiado, Sr. Hon. Celine Jeanne A. Siquian

External links

* [http://www.cityofsantiago.gov.ph Official Website of the City Government of Santiago]
* [http://www.batch2006.com/visit_santiago.htm More photos and information on Santiago City]
* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/default.asp Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/7788/ Information about Santiago City]