Santa Catalina, Ilocos Sur

Santa Catalina
—  Municipality  —
Map of Ilocos Sur showing the location of Santa Catalina.
Santa Catalina Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 17°36′N 120°22′E
Country	Philippines
Region	Ilocos Region (Region I)
Province	Ilocos Sur
District	1st District
Founded
Barangays	9
Government
• Mayor	Carlos R. Asuncion
Area
• Total	9.68 km2 (3.74 sq mi)
Population (2007)
• Total	13,284
• Density	1,400/km2 (3,600/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	2701
Income class	5th class

Population Census of Santa Catalina
Census	Pop.		Rate
1995	11,228		—
2000	12,537		2.39%
2007	13,284		0.80%

Santa Catalina is a 5th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 13,284 people in 2,404 households.

It is only the Municipality in Ilocos Sur which achieved an Urban status with all the Barangays based on National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB).

The feast of the town is celebrated every 25th day of November to celebrate the feast day of Saint Catherine of Alexandria (town's patron saint).

Barangays

Santa Catalina is politically subdivided into 9 barangays.

• Cabaroan
• Cabittaogan
• Cabuloan
• Pangada
• Paratong
• Poblacion
• Sinabaan
• Subec
• Tamorong

It has 3 sitios, namely:

• Calawaan ( Tamorong )
• Mindanao, formerly Sabangan ( Paratong )
• Punta ( Cabittaogan )

Origin of the Municipality's Name

When the Augustinians were busy with the Christianization of the Ilocos Region, a group of missionaries sailed westward through the river known as "El Mestizo" to the place now called Santa Catalina. They were also looking for fresh water, since the area where he landed yielded only salty water. When they finally found a fresh water spring up north, and were busy quenching their thirst, some of them saw an image of a beautiful lady near the place where he drank, which disappeared after a few minutes. One of them recognized the image as that of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The Augustinians returned to Villa Fernandina (Vigan) and reported this matter to their superiors. This resulted in the construction of a church in the town with Saint Catherine of Alexandria as the patron saint. It was also declared that Santa Catalina be the name of the town.

A replica of the cross once planted by Salcedo and his party—to signify that the Spanish has conquered the area—stands near the entrance to the municipality.

Economy

The main source of income for the locals include farming, fishing and tricycle driving. Since this is a 5th class municipality, its economic growth is very slow. But there are also many beautiful houses that can be found here thanks to many OFW locals that had gone abroad to give better financial support to their family.

Education

It has 7 elementary schools, namely:

• Santa Catalina Central
• Bernardo P. Ragasa Elementary
• Cabittaogan Elementary
• Paratong Elementary
• Pangada-Cabaroan Elementary
• Calawaan Elementary
• Cabuloan Elementary

It has two high schools, namely:

• Cabittaogan High School and
• Santa Catalina High School (formerly known as Benito Soliven Institute).

External links

• Community Website of Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur
• Pasyalang Ilocos Sur
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 1995 Philippine Census Information
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• 2007 Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System