Santa Maria, officially the Municipality of Santa Maria, (formerly Imelda), is a municipality in the province of Romblon, Philippines. According to the , it has a population of people.
Etymology The place got its name from Santa Maria in it was renamed in 1988.
History Santa Maria was known in Spanish times as Cagbagacay, after a bamboo plant called "bagacay" in the local dialect, which was in abundance in the area. Back then it was still a barrio of Guintigui-an town. In 1910, barrio Cagbagacay was renamed Concepcion after its patron the Immaculada Concepcion.About Santa Maria Wikimapia. Retrieved on April 16, 2012.
On September 12, 1982, barrio Concepcion (Norte) together with barrios Bonga and Concepcion Sur were organized and created into a new municipality by virtue of Batas Pambansa Blg. 234, authored by Assemblyman Nemesio Ganan Jr. The new municipality was named "Imelda", in honor of then First Lady Imelda Marcos, as well as to distinguish the town from Concepcion municipality on Maestre de Campo Island, also in Romblon."An Act Creating the Municipality of Imelda in the Province Of Romblon" PhilippineLaw.info Retrieved on April 16, 2012.
After the People Power Revolution in 1986 which toppled the regime of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the town was renamed Santa Maria on April 17, 1988, by virtue of Republic Act No. 6651, again in honor of its patron the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Three new barangays were added to the municipality: San Isidro, Paroyhog, and Santo Nino."An Act Changing the name of the Municipality of Imelda in the Province Of Romblon to Municipality of Santa Maria" Chan Robles. Retrieved on April 16, 2012
Geography Situated on the eastern side of Tablas Island, Santa Maria faces the Sibuyan Sea. It is bounded in the north by the municipality of San Agustin, in the south by the municipality of Alcantara, in the west by the municipality of Odiongan and in the east by Romblon Pass. Santa Maria has a total land area of . It is generally mountainous with a limited portion of the plain area along the coast. The town is considered one of the most peaceful areas in the province.Profile: Santa Maria Romblon Travel Guide. Retrieved on April 16, 2012.
Barangays Santa Maria is politically subdivided into 6 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios. Bonga Concepcion Norte (Poblacion) Concepcion Sur Paroyhog Santo Niño San Isidro
Climate
Demographics
According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 8,360 people.
Language Onhan, also known as Taga-onhan or Inunhan (Alcantaranhon style), is the native language of majority of its inhabitants, while Romblomanon or Ini is the native tongue in the two northern barangays of Bonga and Santo Niño (Bitaugan).
Economy
Government Local government
As a municipality in the Province of Romblon, government officials in the provincial level are voted by the electorates of the town. The provincial government have political jurisdiction over local transactions of the municipal government.
Pursuant to Chapter II, Title II, Book III of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, 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.
Barangays are also headed by elected officials: Barangay Captain, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors. The barangays have SK federation which represents the barangay, headed by SK chairperson and whose members are called SK councilors. All officials are also elected every three years.
PeriodMayorVice Mayor
Died in office. Served in acting capacity. Resigned.
Elected officials The incumbent mayor is Lorilie "Bic-Bic" Fabon y Manito y Fetalino while the incumbent vice mayor is Roland M. Largueza.
Education The San Agustin-Calatrava Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.
Primary and elementary schools
Bonga Elementary School Concepcion Norte Elementary School Concepcion Sur Elementary School Paroyhog Elementary School Sto. Niño Elementary School Talamban Elementary School
Secondary schools Santa Maria National High School Sto Nino National High School
Sister cities Makati: On February 8, 2008, Santa Maria Mayor Fred Hernandez and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay signed a sisterhood relationship agreement between the two local government units.Press Release. Makati City Portal. Retrieved on April 16, 2012.
See also List of renamed cities and municipalities in the Philippines
References
External links Santa Maria Profile at PhilAtlas.com Santa Maria, Romblon Profile - Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code] 2007 Philippine Census Information