Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental

Santa Catalina
Municipality
Municipality of Santa Catalina
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  Santa, Sta.Cata, Tolong
Map of Negros Oriental with Santa Catalina highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Santa Catalina Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 9°19′59″N122°51′57″E / 9.33306°N 122.86583°E / 9.33306; 122.86583
Country	Philippines
Region	Negros Island Region
Province	Negros Oriental
District	3rd district
Founded	December 17, 1947
Named for	St. Catherine of Alexandria
Barangays	22 (see Barangays)
Government   [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
•  Mayor	Peve O. Ligan (NPC)
•  Vice Mayor	Karl Patrick S. Jardiniano (NP)
•  Representative	Vacant (Martin Romualdez serves as legislative caretaker)
•  Municipal Council	Members Bob Anthony N. Electona Nelson C. Lopez Gerard F. Napigkit Dexter B. Villamor Faustino V. Baman Arnolfo O. Muyco Michelle D. Gravador Danilo P. Nalam
•  Electorate	46,073 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
• Density	150/km2 (380/sq mi)
•  Households	18,356
Economy
•  Income class	1st 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
• Electricity	Negros Oriental 2 Electric Cooperative (NORECO 2)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	6220
PSGC	074618000
IDD  :  area code	+63 (0)35
Native languages	Cebuano Magahat Tagalog

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

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.

Etymology

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

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

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

Barangays

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

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

Population census of Santa Catalina

Year	Pop.	±% 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

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

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

Elementary schools

• 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

• 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

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

Government

List of former chief executives

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

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. 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. 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.

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System