l.
Background of the Municipality
1. Historical Background
A. How the community came to be?
Santa is one of the coastal towns of the Province of Ilocos Sur, bordering the
municipalities of Bantay, Vigan and Caoayan at the north and Narvacan at the south. Through
the national Highway (Manila North Road), it is about 20 kilometers to the heart of the heritage
city of Vigan and 12 kilometers north of Narvacan.
The history of Santa dates back in old-first town hall site, now known as
Nagpanaoan, for which the accounts of this town are as thrilling as any other in the whole
archipelago. Oftentimes, numerous old people in the province speak the glory and grandeur of
Old Santa causing unspeakable lamentation and sorrow to the younger generation in the
municipality.
Old Santa was one of the oldest settlements founded by the Spaniards in the
Province of Ilocos Sur sometime in 1574. Since then, the town hall has been transferred three
times due to dreadful erosion caused by Abra River. This town was once a fertile valley and
noted of her abundant agricultural products. For her large tracts of agricultural lands, the more
popular products were sugar, sugar wine, and indigo. In fact, the first sugar central machinery
in Ilocos Sur was established in this town. Numerous concreted big indigo (aniel) and
manufacturing containers (baldi) were established in different strategic sites in the different
barangays of the town.
The pre-Spanish settlers in Santa were known to be dominantly Malays of origin.
This town became a center of trade during the early days because of its abundant agricultural
products and its strategic location along China Sea and proximity to other settlements. While
being trade center, the Malay settlers were closely in contact with other tribes, such as those
coming from Mainland China, Indochina and even those coming from the eastern side of the
Cordillera Mountain known as Tinguians and Igorots. With dominantly Malay blood that first
settled in Santa, this must be perhaps the factor that the first generation in this town has
excelled in many skills, including handicrafts and the art of education. While their skills in
manufacturing sugar and indigo started only during the Spanish regime, their expertise in bolo-
making and weaving dates back even long time before the rediscovery of the Philippines. Bolo
making flourished well during the Silang Revolt. Bolos of different types, scythes, rice harvester
(rakem) and native woven cloth (tinibbi) were some of the products that attracted early days.
Since then, and until now, Santa is well known for her skillfully made bolos and beautifully
woven native cloths.
Santa blessed with rich natural resources and with natives spirited with unique
strength of determination and resiliency, marched forward in prosperity notwithstanding the
lamentable events that almost erased it from the map of the province. Losing almost two-thirds
of its arable lands and valleys due to the scourge of the Abra River, it is still considered a spirit.
Santanians are found in almost all provinces of the country, and numerous are working in other
countries. The New Santa now and its image reflect the life of the people.
The early settlements established by the Spanish conquestadors were
maintained along the Abra Riverbank, extending from the Quirino Bridge, now the boundary of
Bantay and Santa westward to the shore of the China Sea.
The written history of Santa started upon the establishment of its settlements
by the Spaniards sometime in 1574. However, its political history was formally recorded only in
the early 18th century under chief executive of the town named Antonio. Scholars claim that
Santa was only famous of its agricultural products but also of its great leaders. In partnerships
with friars and Spanish rulers, the chief executive and leaders of old Santa were able to
construct the first most grand Catholic Church and bell tower in Ilocandia, including a spacious
walled cemetery. The plaza of old Santa between the town hall and the church including the
beautiful sheds of giant acacia trees which surrounded the plaza. Unfortunately, all the
landmarks of improvement in old Santa were totally eroded and none of them were left as
tangible proofs for existence.
The location of the town hall of Santa at present is the third site since the
Spanish Regime. Barely one-fourth of the original land area of old Santa is left due to river
erosion. The three-fourth original land area is now either water or barren land. While the
municipality is being eaten by the river at the northern part and by the sea at the western side,
residents find homes along the national highways at the foot of the Cordillera mountain’s
western range. Many families have fled to other towns and provinces for livelihood. Those who
left behind indulge in little agriculture area, Santa however, is observed yet not behind in
progress and prosperity among the towns of the Province. There are many great leaders that
the town has produced. Its unique town plaza’s planning is a rare view and its spider web-like
municipal roads. Santa is known as a tourist haven for its natural beauties. Numerous
improvements are found throughout the barangays that portray great leadership and splendid
cooperation of the people. The town still maintains its championship in self- reliance and
community development.
Santa, formerly called Sta. Catalina de Alexandria, Virgen y Martir, is one of the
34 municipalities of the Province of Ilocos Sur. It is the second oldest town of the province,
founded after Vigan, which is established in 1831 and 1834. the town was named after its
Patron Saint Sta. Catalina de Alexandria, Virgen y Martir. It was also known as encomienda of
Narandan “which was served as the hospital of the Spaniards”.
Creation of the Municipality
According to Augustinian maps of 1831 and 1834, Santa was founded in 1576.
The Augustinians established missionary centers in the town of Vigan in 1575 and Santa in
1576. On the founding of Bantay in 1591 as pueblo, Santa was made its “visita” until 1713 when
it became an independent vicariate. The prestige of the town was boasted in 1802 when the
provisional diocesan was established and was housed in the rectory of Santa until 1834
MAP OF SANTA, ILOCOS SUR
NORTH
Municipality of Bantay
Vigan City
Province of Abra
Municipality of Coayan
Municipality of Narvacan
1. Natural Productive Resource Base
a. What are The different natural features
Geographical constraints of the municipality provide minimal agricultural land
area. Only 767 hectares is allotted for agriculture. Local folks produce rice and corn, which is
just enough, for the production needs. Fishing is the most important occupation of the people
along the coastal barangays, which is seasonal, and providing seasonal employment, and
livelihood of the municipality, which include bolo making (blacksmithing), basket weaving and
embroidery and other small cottage industry. On the agricultural sector, grape farming has
become a booming economic activity. Idle lands were utilized for this purpose.
b.
