Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur

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Santa Cruz
Municipality

Municipal Hall of Sta. Cruz

Map of Davao del Sur with Santa Cruz highlighted

Santa Cruz
Location within the Philippines

Coordinates:

0650N 12525ECoordinates:

Country

Philippines

Region

Davao (Region XI)

Province

Davao del Sur

District

1st district of Davao del Sur

Founded

October 5, 1884

Barangays

18

0650N 12525E

Government[1]
Mayor

Joel Ray Lopez

Area[2]
Total

319.91 km2 (123.52 sq mi)

Population (2010)[3]
Total

81,093

Density

250/km2 (660/sq mi)

Demonym(s)

santacruceo(-a), santacrucero(-a), santacruzan

o(-a)

Time zone

PST (UTC+8)

ZIP code

8001

Dialing code

82

Income class

1st

Website

www.stacruz.gov.ph

Santa Cruz is a first class municipality in the province of Davao del Sur, Philippines. It has a
population of 81,093 people as of 2010.[3]
The Municipality of Santa Cruz is part of Metropolitan Davao.
Contents
[hide]

1Geography
o

1.1Topography

1.2Barangays

1.3Climate

2History
o

2.1Aspiration for cityhood

3Demographics

3.1Languages

4Economy

5Attractions
o

5.1Events and festivals

6Transportation

7References

8External links

Geography[edit]
Sta. Cruz situates in the Northern part of Davao del Sur. Bounded by Davao City on the north and
south by the city of Digos. After undergoing several political subdivisions, 27,960 hectares of land
was left representing 6.7% of the total land area of Davao del Sur. Forest land comprises 60% and
the rest includes the 8 coastal barangays in the area.
The land area of Sta. Cruz per Board of Technical Survey and Maps is 27,960 hectares. However,
based on the Field Appraisal and Assessment Sheets (FAAS) and Tax Maps of the Municipal
Assessor's Office the total land area of the municipality is 28,759.7855 or about 7.31% of the
province's area (393,401 hectares). This excludes the Kapatagan contested area. Among the 18
barangays, Sibulan has the biggest land area of 6,390.6581 hectares or 22.22% of the total land
area. Poblacion Zone III has the smallest area of 105.3148, only 0.37% of the total.

Topography[edit]
Sta. Cruz is traversed by mountain ranges and high relief that include part of the famed Mount Apo,
the highest mountain peak in the Philippines, straddle the south, central, north and north-western
portions of the municipality. The rugged topography of the central area gradually undulates toward
the coastal plains of the north-eastern, eastern and south-eastern parts. Here, settlements sprawl
contiguously along the coast of Davao Gulf under the vast monotony of coconut plantations. On the
western frontier, a plateau stretches toward Barangay Kapatagan of Digos City. The municipal
elevation ranges from 10 to 2,939 metres (33 to 9,642 ft) above sea level (m.a.s.1.).

Barangays[edit]
Santa Cruz is politically subdivided into 18 barangays.[2] Of the 18 barangays, 7 are uplands, 9 are
upland-lowland and coastal and 2 are lowland-coastal.

Astorga

Bato

Coronon

Darong

Inawayan

Jose Rizal

Matutungan

Melilia

Saliducon

Sibulan

Sinoron

Tagabuli

Tibolo

Tuban

Zone I (Pob.)

Zone II (Pob.) consists of the following barrios: Balalan, Loay, Lubo, Lote Quiait (Kyawit),
New Victor, Escandor, Carmen, Dioloy, Townsite
Zone III (Pob.)

Zone IV (Pob.)

Climate[edit]
Sta. Cruz has a favorable climate all year round characterized by wet and dry seasons. It is outside
the typhoon belt. Generally the months of November to April are dry periods. Wet season occurs
from May to October. This type of climate is observable in the plain and coastal areas. In the
mountainous barangays, the fourth type of climate is consistently experienced. Rainfall is more or
less evenly distributed throughout the year. Most often in these areas heavy downpour occurs every
afternoon while in the morning the sun shines.

History[edit]
Sta. Cruz is the oldest municipality in the province; it was founded in 5th day of October 1884, thirtysix years after the foundation of Davao, which is its mother city, by Don Jose Uyanguren
of Guipzcoa, Spain. It all started when Spanish pioneers and missionaries attempted to settle
and Christianize the area in what is now Barangay Poblacion as early as 1880. But because of the
relentless Islamic faith of the local people in the area, the enraged pioneers and missionaries
planted a cross under a shelter to mark the failure of the missionaries to convert these people to
Christianity; the town's name now bears the name of the cross planted by those Spaniards.
Fortunately, for the next 4 years, the local people will submit themselves to Christianity and had
themselves conquered by Angel Rodriguez, the Spanish Governor-General of Davao. But, like Don
Uyanguren's attempt to develop the newly established Davao, the area around the young town did
not prosper until after almost 20 years since then.
The Americans arrived in Davao in the early 1900s after the Spanish defeat in the Spanish
American War. Fourteen years later, the town began to grow economically, although overshadowed
by the booming economic growth of its neighbour Davao. Several Japanese entrepreneurs like
Kyusaburo Otta and Yoshizo Furukawa are living in the region to exploit more agricultural territories,
the former in Davao and the latter in what is now the barangays Darong and Inauayan.
In March 16, 1936, its mother town, Davao, became one of the first two cities in Mindanao, the other
being Zamboanga, due to the town's faster economic growth and agricultural boom.
In 1942, it was the beginning of Japanese invasion of the Philippines. The town suffered greatly
during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, unlike its neighbor Davao, which fared well and
continued its economic growth during that time. The local recognized guerrillas and the military
troops of the Philippine Commonwealth Army units were prepared the conflicts during the occupation
was attack by the Imperial Japanese forces from 1942 to 1945 until the four year sieges are retreat
of all guerrilla force by the Japanese hands until the liberation by the Allies. On 1945, combined
Filipino and American troops including recognized guerrillas was fought by the Japanese
and liberated the town. The general headquarters of the Philippine Commonwealth
Army and Philippine Constabulary was station's active from 1945 to 1946 and located in the town.
After the war, most of the inhabitants of Sta. Cruz moved in Davao to search for economic
opportunities; despite this, the town continued its population and economic growth, though at a
slower rate.
Almost three years after the Philippine Independence in July 4, 1946, two towns broke off from the
municipality, namely: Padada, in July 15, 1949; and Digos, July 19 the same year. In 1960's, a new
municipality, Roxas, was carved out from the town, covering the present-day barangays of Inauayan,
Darong, Astorga, Coronon, and Sibulan; however, the Supreme Court of the Philippines nullified the
creation of the municipality since this meant the collapse of the jurisdiction of once the most
Christianized town in Mindanao.

One of the municipalities which broke off from the town, Digos, became the capital town of the newly
created Davao del Sur province in 1967; thirty-three years later it would become a city and will be
the most populous in the entire province, excluding Davao City.

Aspiration for cityhood[edit]

In October 5, 2013, during the town's 129th anniversary of its existence, its local government leaders
and populace have envisioned for a new aspiration for the town to become a city, given the presence
of large industrial companies like the San Miguel Corporation, Coco Davao Inc., Franklin Baker Co.,
GSL Food Industries in the town. The municipal mayor Joel Ray Lopez commented, "As the oldest
town in the province of Davao del Sur, we really wanted it to become a city soon." [4] Its infrastructure
have been moderately improved, and most of its cityhood requirements, specifically its income and
total land area requirements, have been already met. When the municipality of Sta. Cruz finally
becomes a city, full industrialization in the area may be expected.

Demographics[edit]
Population census of Santa Cruz

Source: National Statistics Office[3]

Languages[edit]
The languages spoken here in the municipality are Davaoeo, Tagalog, Mansakan, and English.

Economy[edit]
Agriculture: Among agricultural crops, coconut leads in production followed by banana and
sugarcane. Other major crops are corn, coffee and vegetables. The municipality also produces high
value fruits like mango, lanzones and durian. Cattle leads in livestock production.
Fisheries: The 24-kilometer long coastline of Sta. Cruz which forms part of the Davao Gulf provides
a rich fishing grounds and is suitable for aquaculture.
Mining: Deposits of sulfur ore, rock phosphate, guano, limestone and cement raw materials were
also traced but still have to be tapped for commercial and industrial uses.
Forestry: Tropical evergreen and other timber cover the vast timberland and forest area. Rattan,
bamboo and other vines are also in abundance.
Major industries: Banana, Coconut, and Seaweed cultivation.

Attractions[edit]

Rizal Park, Sta. Cruz

Passig Islet

A famous competitive tourism destination in Southern Mindanao where eco-cultural and adventure
tourism are properly managed and environmental protection is sustained through the partnership of
the private sector and the government.
Sibulan - Mount Apo Trail
History revealed that the year 1880 marked the first successful climb to Mount Apo through
the Sibulan Trail of Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur by a group led by Don Joaquin Rajal. Trekking
along the trail will be highlighted with an assault via Boulder Face going to the summit of the
country's highest peak.
Sibulan River White Water Tubing
Tubing along the rapids of Sibulan River using inflated tubes of rubber tires will drive one's
adrenalin rush to the limits with the strong water current of the Sibulan River.
Tibolo Cultural Village
Learn the unique culture of the indigenous Bagobo-Tagabawa Tribe and enjoy the view of
the entire Mt. Apo landscape and overlooking scenery of Davao City and Davao Gulf.
Bato and Tagabuli Seascape
Passig Islet in Brgy. Bato and the Tagabuli Sea Rock Garden offer white sand beaches ideal
for island hopping, scuba diving and fishing while giving the tourists a view of the symbiotic
relationship of the ecosystem in the highlands down to the coastal system.
Other scenic spots include the Passig Islet Agro Eco Park and Tudaya Falls.

Events and festivals[edit]

Pista sa Kinaiyahan
A yearly activity conducted every last week of April as a tribute to the Mother Nature through
tree-growing, cleanup activities and Boulder Face challenge.
Araw ng Santa Cruz

It is celebrated every October 5 in commemoration of the legal creation of the municipality in

1884. Highlights include parades, field demonstrations, trade fairs, carnivals and traditional
festivities.
Sinabbadan Festival
A festival of ethnic ritual and dances celebrated every September.

Transportation[edit]
Santa Cruz is accessible by land transportation vehicles plying the
Davao-Digos City, Davao-Kidapawan City, Davao-Cotabato City,
Davao-Koronadal City and Davao-Tacurong City routes passing
through the town's single, 27 kilometres (17 mi) stretch of national
highway that traverses its 11 barangays. From Davao City, the
administrative center of Region XI, it is 38 kilometres (24 mi) away
within a 45-minute ride, while it is 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) or about 15minute ride from provincial capital city of Digos.
Air and water transport is accessible in the area through the
international air and sea ports located in Davao City. Traveling overland
is catered to by the Sta. Cruz Overland Transport Terminal. Concretepaved national highway runs along Sta. Cruz connecting the cities of
Davao and General Santos and adjacent provinces like South
Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and Cotabato
Province. Jeepneys and buses are used widely for major routes plying
across the town. Mostly tricycles operate in the poblacion (town center)
and in neighboring barangays. Bikes are used for leisure and sporting
events.