Santa Fe, Romblon

Santa Fe
Bayan ng Santa Fe
Municipality

Seal

Map of Romblon with Santa Fe highlighted
Santa Fe

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 12°09′N 122°00′E / 12.150°N 122.000°E / 12.150; 122.000Coordinates: 12°09′N 122°00′E / 12.150°N 122.000°E / 12.150; 122.000
Country Philippines
Region MIMAROPA (Region IV-B)
Province Romblon
District Lone district
Founded 1946
Barangays 11
Government[1][2]
 • Type Mayor-council
 • Mayor Asher C. Visca (NP)
 • Vice Mayor Miguel M. Galido (LP)
 • Councilors Dadoy Cawaling (LP)
Edmund Malacad (LP)
Daryl Condes (Ind.)
Edgar Bartolome (NP)
Blas Cruz (Ind.)
Patring Visca (NP)
Melsie Coching (NP)
Eduardo Sevilla, Sr. (Ind.)
Area[3]
 • Total 63.52 km2 (24.53 sq mi)
Population (2010)[4]
 • Total 15,700
 • Density 250/km2 (640/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
Zip Code 5508
Dialing code 42

Santa Fe is a fifth class municipality in the province of Romblon, Philippines.

History

Legend says that the barrio was named after a beautiful, lovely daughter of one of its early settlers of the place. She was so loved and revered by the locals that they named her Santa Fe, and in her death, they named the place after her.[5] However, in Relacion de las Yslas Filipinas by Spanish conquistador Miguel de Loarca, it states that the barrio was named after Santa Fe in the province of Granada in Spain. Its first settlers were Onhan-speaking Negritos from Panay Island who emigrated to Tablas as early as 1730.[6][7]

During the Spanish colonial period, Santa Fe was a barrio of neighboring Looc town until 1855 when it was established as a separate pueblo or town. It was abolished and reverted into a barrio again in 1868. In 1892, the Spaniards restored Santa Fe's municipal status, which would remain until the American colonial period.[7]

Santa Fe was one 11 municipalities created in Romblon when civilian government was established in the province. However, on 10 March 1917, it was abolished and reverted once more into a barrio of Looc. On 8 January 1940, by virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 581, authored by Romblon congressman Leonardo Festin, the municipality of Looc was abolished and incorporated into a new special municipality called Tablas. Hence, Santa Fe became a barrio of this special municipality.[6][7]

On 1 October 1946, by virtue of Republic Act No. 38 authored by Romblon congressman Modesto Formilleza, the special municipality of Tablas was abolished and Looc municipality was reinstated. The law also created Santa Fe into an independent municipality.[8]

Santa Fe is also the home of Pinoy Big Brother Season 1 Big Winner Nene Tamayo.

Geography

Santa Fe has a total land area of 63.52 km2. It lies on the southern tip of Tablas Island. The town is mountainous with so many beaches and islets. It has sandy loam type of soil rich with mineral resources such as granite and white clay. The tallest elevation in the town is Mount Calatong.

Barangays

Santa Fe is politically subdivided into 11 barangays.[3]

  • Agmanic
  • Canyayo
  • Danao Norte
  • Danao Sur
  • Guinbirayan
  • Guintigbasan
  • Magsaysay
  • Mat-i
  • Pandan
  • Poblacion
  • Tabugon

Demographics

Population census of Santa Fe
YearPop.±% p.a.
1960 8,987—    
1970 8,032−1.12%
1980 9,948+2.17%
1990 11,628+1.57%
1995 12,665+1.61%
2000 14,140+2.39%
2007 16,315+1.99%
2010 15,700−1.39%
Source: National Statistics Office[4]

At the 2010 census, Santa Fe had a population of 15,700 people, 8,737 of which are registered voters.[4] Most of its natives descended from Ati indigenous people from Panay Island. Majority of its population speak the Loocnon variant of Inunhan that switches /r/ or /l/ for /d/.

The townsfolk are predominantly Roman Catholic. Every April, they celebrate the "Fiesta sa Dagat", also known as "Fisherfolk's Day" in honor of St. Vincent Ferrer, the town's patron saint. Other Christian denominations include the Philippine Independent Church, Foursquare Gospel Church in the Philippines, Assemblies of God, Baptist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the Potter's Fellowship.

Local government

Pursuant to Chapter II, Title II, Book III of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991,[9] the municipal government is composed of a mayor (alkalde), a vice-mayor (bise alkalde) and members (kagawad) of the legislative branch Sangguniang Bayan alongside a secretary to the said legislature, all of which are elected to a three-year term and are eligible to run for three consecutive terms.

Santa Fe's incumbent mayor and vice mayor are Asher C. Visca and Miguel M. Galido, from the Nacionalista Party and Liberal Party respectively.[2]

Economy

Agriculture is the most important sector in the municipality. This sector comprises sub-sectors namely: crops, livestock, poultry, and fishing. Crops like rice, corn, mango, cassava, banana, sweet yam and coconut are raised by farmers. Coconut comprises the largest share of the agricultural area of the municipality and is dominantly grown in all barangays.[6]

Infrastructure

National Power Corporation (NPC) supplies 32.37% (or 836 households) of Santa Fe's households with electricity. The town is serviced by Levels 1, 2 and 3 water supply system. It also has four community irrigation projects with 92 service areas. Potable water is also supplied from water pumps, artesian wells, and rainwater collection reservoirs. PLDT, Smart Communications, and Globe Telecom provides landline and cellular phone service in the municipality. Radio, as well as, terrestrial and cable television services are also available.[6]

Santa Fe Municipal Port caters to intra-provincial travel, particularly between San Jose in Carabao Island. The town is connected to the neighboring towns of Looc and Alcantara through the Tablas Circumferential Road. Jeepneys, tricycles, and motorcycles are to common forms of transportation.[6]

Tourism

There are several beaches and other scenic spots to visit in Santa Fe. These include:[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Municipalities". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Partial, Unofficial Results: 2013 Elections". Rappler. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Province: Romblon". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  5. ↑ Fabula, Milex (2001). "Profile: Santa Fe, Romblon". Romblon Travel Guide. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Fabula, Milex (2001). "Profile: Santa Fe, Romblon". Romblon Travel Guide. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 "History of Santa Fe, Romblon". Reference.com. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  8. ↑ "An Act Repealing Commonwealth Act No. 581, Entitled, "An Act Abolishing the Existing Municipal Governments and the Provincial Government of Romblon, and Creating Instead Four Special Municipalities," Restoring the Regular Provincial Government and Municipalities of the Province of Romblon, and Creating the Municipality of Santa Fe". LawPH.com. 1 October 1946. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  9. ↑ "An Act Providing for a Local Government Code of 1991". 8th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 21 April 2014.

External links

 Looc / Alcantara
Tablas Strait Sibuyan Sea
   Santa Fe  
Cabalian Channel
San Jose
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