Santa Barbara, Iloilo

Santa Barbara, officially the Municipality of Santa Barbara (Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Santa Barbara, Tagalog: Bayan ng Santa Barbara), is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 60,215 people.[3]

Santa Barbara
Municipality
Municipality of Santa Barbara
Nickname(s): 
Heritage Center of Western Visayas
Map of Iloilo with Santa Barbara highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Santa Barbara
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 10°49′23″N 122°32′04″E
Country Philippines
RegionWestern Visayas (Region VI)
ProvinceIloilo
District2nd district of Iloilo
Barangays60 (see Barangays)
Government
 [1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorRema B. Somo
 • Vice MayorJeffrey C. Sumbilla
 • CongressmanMichael B. Gorriceta
 • Electorate39,021 voters (2019)
Area
 [2]
 • Total131.96 km2 (50.95 sq mi)
Population
 (2015 census)[3]
 • Total60,215
 • Density460/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
 • Households
13,518
Economy
 • Income class2nd municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence17.28% (2015)[4]
 • Revenue (₱)148,077,052.95 (2016)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
5002
PSGC
063043000
IDD : area code +63 (0)33
Climate typetropical climate
Native languagesKinaray-a language
Hiligaynon
Ati
Tagalog
Websitewww.geocities.com/santa_barbara_iloilo/

Geography

Santa Barbara has a land area of 13,196 hectares (32,610 acres), ranks 29th as to size among the 42 municipalities of the province and occupies 1.5% of all lands in the Province of Iloilo. Almost 100% of Santa Barbara's land is cultivated and alienable or disposable.[5] It is 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Iloilo City.

The topography of Santa Barbara varies from slightly rolling hills to almost flat or gradually inclined plains, sliced by Tigum River at its centremost, which flows from the north-west to the southeast and the Aganan River in the southern section.

Land Use

Basically, Santa Barbara is an agricultural town with 84.75% or 6,568.19 hectares (16,230.4 acres) devoted to agriculture. The rolling hills, amounting to 155.99 hectares (385.5 acres), are unsuitable to farming and are utilized as pasture and open grassland. The built-up areas within the poblacion and the barangay areas total 678.98 hectares (1,677.8 acres) or 8.761%. Also included in this category are the areas utilized for commercial, institutional purposes, parks and open space. Agro-industrial area is 101.928 has. or 1.315%, industrial area is .069 % or 5.330 has., utilities or roads comprise 150.853 has. or 1.946% . The area for the cemeteries is 4.720 has. or .061 % and bodies of water is 1.084% or 84 hectares.[5]

Climate

There is a distinct climate in this municipality, which is deal for planting of multiple crops. It has a type “C” (moist ) rain sufficiently distributed with almost 4 ½ dry months or first –type climate with two distinct seasons of six months.[5]

The average annual rainfall is 137.47 centimetres (54.12 in). The average temperature is 27.9 °C (82.2 °F). This municipality is not within the country's typhoon belt although tropical storms and occasional typhoons pass through it.[5]

Climate data for Santa Barbara, Iloilo
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 30
(86)		 31
(88)		 32
(90)		 33
(91)		 32
(90)		 30
(86)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 30
(86)		 30
(86)		 30
(87)
Average low °C (°F) 21
(70)		 21
(70)		 22
(72)		 23
(73)		 24
(75)		 25
(77)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 23
(73)		 22
(72)		 23
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 19
(0.7)		 17
(0.7)		 26
(1.0)		 37
(1.5)		 119
(4.7)		 191
(7.5)		 258
(10.2)		 260
(10.2)		 248
(9.8)		 196
(7.7)		 97
(3.8)		 39
(1.5)		 1,507
(59.3)
Average rainy days 7.2 5.2 8.3 11.9 22.3 26.5 28.3 28.2 27.3 26.4 18.7 11.8 222.1
Source: Meteoblue [6]

Barangays

Santa Barbara is politically subdivided into 60 barangays. [2]

  • Agusipan
  • Agutayan
  • Bagumbayan
  • Balabag
  • Balibagan Este
  • Balibagan Oeste
  • Ban-ag
  • Bantay
  • Barangay Zone I (Poblacion)
  • Barangay Zone II (Poblacion)
  • Barangay Zone III (Poblacion)
  • Barangay Zone IV (Poblacion)
  • Barangay Zone V (Poblacion)
  • Barangay Zone VI (Poblacion)
  • Barasan Este
  • Barasan Oeste
  • Binangkilan
  • Bitaog-Taytay
  • Bolong Este
  • Bolong Oeste
  • Buayahon
  • Buyo
  • Cabugao Norte
  • Cabugao Sur
  • Cadagmayan Norte
  • Cadagmayan Sur
  • Cafe
  • Calaboa Este
  • Calaboa Oeste
  • Camambugan
  • Canipayan
  • Conaynay
  • Daga
  • Dalid
  • Duyanduyan
  • Gen. Martin T. Delgado
  • Guno
  • Inangayan
  • Jibao-an
  • Lacadon
  • Lanag
  • Lupa
  • Magancina
  • Malawog
  • Mambuyo
  • Manhayang
  • Miraga-Guibuangan
  • Nasugban
  • Omambog
  • Pal-Agon
  • Pungsod
  • San Sebastian
  • Sangcate
  • Tagsing
  • Talanghauan
  • Talongadian
  • Tigtig
  • Tungay
  • Tuburan
  • Tugas

History

The Agustinian Archives, Vol. 17-18, which recorded the missionary achievements of the Agustinian missionaries, mentions that in 1617 the missionaries ministered a community then known as Catmon, a name derived from a fruit tree which was an imposing landmark, which sat on a rich and fertile plain traversed by the Salug (now Tigum) and Aganan rivers, producing rice, corn, sugar, mongo and tobacco. Then Catmon was only a “Visita Catmon” of Jaro vicariate.

In 1760, Catmon was established as an independent parish, whose patron saint was Santa Barbara and the settlement became a “pueblo” named after her. Its total population at the time was 15,094.

In 1845, its population was 19,719 and it covered an area which are now the Municipalities of Maasin, Janiuay, Cabatuan, Alimodian, San Miguel, Zarraga, New Lucena and parts of Leganes and Pavia.

When the Philippine Revolution broke out on Luzon in 1896, it did not spread immediately to Iloilo. The Spanish authorities thought that they could keep the Ilonggos loyal to Spain. Governador–General Basilio Agustin organized the Volunteer Militia in Iloilo to enlist Ilonggos to fight the Tagalog rebels. Being a “mestizo” and having occupied the highest office in his town, Martin Teofilo Delgado was appointed commander of the “voluntaries” in Santa Barbara.

Unknown to the Spaniards, however, Delgado had already become a “revolucionario”. On October 28, 1898 he publicly declared himself for the Revolution and seized the municipal building. The Revolutionary Government of the Visayas was organized and on November 17, 1898, was formally inaugurated at the town plaza of Santa Barbara. A large crowd hailing from many places across Iloilo gathered for the historic occasion. The Philippine flag was raised for the first time outside of Luzon.

The officials of the Revolutionary Government were Roque Lopez, president; Vicente Franco, vice president and secretary of the interior; Venancio Concepcion, secretary of finance; Ramon Avanceňa, secretary of state; Jovito Yusay, secretary of justice; Julio Hernandez, secretary of war; Fernando Salas, secretary general. General Martin T. Delgado was chosen General –in-Chief of the Revolutionary Forces.

Santa Barbara became the headquarters of the Revolutionary Forces and from here, Gen. Delgado launched the campaign to liberate the whole province which culminated in the surrender of Iloilo City by Governor-General de los Rios on December 24, 1898.

The victory against Spain was short-lived as the Philippine–American War followed. Gen. Delgado led the same army against Americans from 1899 to 1901. Delgado was forced to surrender on February 2, 1901.

Upon the establishment of the civil government, Martin Delgado was appointed as the first provincial Governor of Iloilo and was elected to the same position in the first elections held in 1903. Santa Barbara became a town under American regime and was incorporated into a municipality by the Commonwealth Government. The town soon began to progress.

In 1948, Barangay Tuburan-Solbud was transferred to Zarraga, Iloilo.[7]

Cityhood

Kaliwat sang Santa Barbara

Migration occurred in the 20th century to Mindanao in the 1940s under Manuel Roxas who was from Panay. Thousands migrated throughout the 1940s and 1950s as part of a resettlement movement sponsored by the government. Today, many Santa Barbaranon are now living in Mindanao, with a huge presence in:

Demographics
Population census of Santa Barbara
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 15,149—    
1918 28,467+4.30%
1939 35,406+1.04%
1948 21,951−5.17%
1960 23,458+0.55%
1970 27,858+1.73%
1975 30,662+1.94%
1980 32,693+1.29%
1990 37,730+1.44%
1995 39,667+0.94%
2000 46,076+3.26%
2007 51,075+1.43%
2015 60,215+2.08%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[3][8][9][10]

In the 2015 census, the population of Santa Barbara, Iloilo, was 60,215 people,[3] with a density of 460 inhabitants per square kilometre or 1,200 inhabitants per square mile.

Majority of the people or about 73.25% of the population are Kinaray-a speaking, a dialect that originated in the province of Antique. The remaining population speaks in Hiligaynon, Filipino, and English.

Transportation

The total road network is 159.60 kilometres (99.17 mi); 117.20 kilometres (72.82 mi) of which are barangay roads, 25.49 kilometres (15.84 mi) provincial roads, 9.06 kilometres (5.63 mi) municipal streets and 7.85 kilometres (4.88 mi) national highways.

In July 2007, the new Iloilo International Airport, located in Cabatuan and Santa Barbara, Iloilo was opened to the public. As a result, access to air transportation has significantly improved. Before, the plying of taxis in the Municipality is an uncommon sight to most Santa Barbaranhon's but with the construction and operation of the New Iloilo Airport the town started progressing economically more and more every year.

Landmarks
Roman Catholic Church and Convent
One of the better restored and preserved churches in the province, Santa Barbara Church is an excellent example of the Filipino baroque colonial architecture. It is a neoclassical church where General Martin T. Delgado of the Visayan Revolutionary Government convened the junta that raised the first of cry revolution against Spain in Iloilo. The church was dedicated to the towns patron saint, Santa Barbara last December 3, 2015. It was also declared as a National Historical Landmark in 1991, National Museum in 2015, and Philippine National Treasure also in 2015 because of the importance of the church and convent in the history of the Philippines.
Cry of Santa Barbara Marker
This lies in the same site where the Filipino Flag was first raised outside Luzon. The event is now popularity known as Cry of Santa Barbara, one which recognizes the heroism and bravery of General Martin T. Delgado and his Liberating Army. This marker is the anchor of the Town's important role in the Philippine History.
Roman Catholic Cemetery
One of the oldest landmarks in the town. Its facade bears the mark of the Spanish influence in the country and considered as one of the strongest structure in the town. It was constructed in 1845.
Catmon Tree
A tree with thick, green foliage and distinctly big, white flowers, this is where the town was first named after. Standing alone at the front, left side of the Municipal Hall Building, the Catmon Tree is the only one of its kind that can be found in the town now.
Flagpole
In front of the Municipal Hall building, stood a 120-feet flagpole amidst a well manicured mini-park. This was constructed in time with the 1998 Philippine Centennial Celebration and it flies the biggest Philippine Flag outside Luzon. This flag is one of the only five giant flags in the country.
Santa Barbara Plaza Victory plaza
Nestled in the heart of the town and landscaped in time for the 1998 Philippine Centennial, this is considered as a favorite hang-out of young and old especially during afternoons and early evenings. It has two main historical features which include the Bandstand and the Rizal Monument. The Bandstand, an octagonal-shaped structure was constructed in 1925 and since then served as venue to various political gatherings and other social activities. Another prominent structure with historical value in the plaza is the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal and the Propagandist.

The Santa Barbara plaza is one of the finest, and most beautiful plazas in the Philippines. It is also where the Seat of the Republic of the Visayas was declared in November 17, 1898, headed by president Roque Lopez. The plaza was also the site where the first Philippine flag was raised outside Luzon in December 25, 1898 followed by the plaza libertad in Metro Iloilo also in the same date. The plaza was also declared as a Historical Landmark in 2015.

General Martin Delgado Monument
A bronze statue, facing the Municipal Hall Building in the north-western entrance of the "Victory Plaza". The monument is a tribute to the town's most distinguished son and the greatest revolutionary hero Visayas has ever produced, Gen. Martin T. Delgado. The statue which was unveiled in time with the 1998 Centennial Celebration is an unfading memorial of the gallantry and patriotism of Gen. Delgado and his revolutionary forces.
Iloilo Golf and Country Club
Carved on a 35 hectares of plain and rolling hills, the 18-hole golf course in Barangay San Sebastian claims an undisputed pre-eminence in golfing history. Asia's largest golfing publication "Golf Digest" called Santa Barbara Golf Course as the oldest course in the Philippines and one of the oldest courses in Asia. Built in 1907 by a group of British expatriates working on the Panay Railways system, it distinguishes itself from other clubs as not only a place for recreation but a historical landmark as well.
Centennial Museum and Convention Center
Constructed in 1998 as part of the Centennial Freedom Trail Site Project of the Philippine Centennial Commission, the museum houses antiques, artifacts and photos which tells the story of Santa Barbara's proud historical heritage.
Santa Barbara Irrigation Dam
Constructed in 1926, the irrigation dam is the first gravity irrigation system in the Visayas that has revolutionized farming. This is the oldest irrigation system in the country.
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References
  1. "Municipality". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  2. "Province: Iloilo". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  3. Census of Population (2015). "Region VI (Western Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  4. "PSA releases the 2015 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Quezon City, Philippines. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  5. "General Features". Official Website of Santa Barbara, Iloilo. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  6. "Santa Barbara: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  7. "An act to transfer the barrio of Tuburan-Solbud from the municipality of Santa Barbara to the municipality of Zarraga, both of the province of Iloilo". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-08.
  8. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VI (Western Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  9. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region VI (Western Visayas)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. NSO.
  10. "Province of Iloilo". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
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