This is an accepted version of this page
Santiago | |
|---|---|
| City of Santiago | |
.jpg) Santiago Centro | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Nickname: Queen City of the North | |
| Anthem:Santiago, Bayan ng Pag-Ibig (English: Santiago, the Town of Love) | |
 | |
OpenStreetMap  | |
.svg)  Santiago Location within thePhilippines | |
| Coordinates:16°41′N121°33′E / 16.68°N 121.55°E /16.68; 121.55 | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Cagayan Valley |
| Province | Isabela (geographically only) |
| District | 4th district |
| Founded | May 4, 1743 |
| Cityhood | July 6, 1994 |
| Named after | St. James the Great |
| Barangays | 37 (seeBarangays) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Sangguniang Panlungsod |
| • Mayor | Alyssa Sheena T. Dy[1] |
| • Vice Mayor | Alvin N. Abaya |
| • Representative | Joseph S. Tan |
| • City Council | Members
|
| • Electorate | 115,767 voters (2025) |
| Area | |
• Total | 255.50 km2 (98.65 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 156 m (512 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 919 m (3,015 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 56 m (184 ft) |
| Population (2024 census)[5] | |
• Total | 150,313 |
| • Density | 588.31/km2 (1,523.7/sq mi) |
| • Households | 36,334 |
| Demonym | Santiagueño |
| Economy | |
| • Income class | 1st city income class |
| • Poverty incidence | 12.81 |
| • Revenue | ₱ 2,790 million (2022) |
| • Assets | ₱ 6,617 million (2022) |
| • Expenditure | ₱ 2,210 million (2022) |
| • Liabilities | ₱ 712.6 million (2022) |
| Service provider | |
| • Electricity | Isabela 1 Electric Cooperative (ISELCO 1) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
| ZIP code | 3311 |
| PSGC | |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)78 |
| Native languages | Ilocano Gaddang Tagalog |
| Website | www |
Santiago, officially theCity of Santiago (Ilocano:Siudad ti Santiago;Ibanag:Siudad nat Santiago;Gaddang:Siudad na Santiago;Filipino:Lungsod ng Santiago), is anindependent component city in theCagayan Valley region of thePhilippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 150,313 people.[7]
It is formerly known asCarig during the time of the Spanish, it is located between the southwestern part ofIsabela and the northwestern boundary ofQuirino in northeasternLuzon island of thePhilippines.[8] It is the gateway to the vast plains ofCagayan Valley.
Despite being statistically grouped by thePhilippine Statistics Authority and geographically located within the boundaries of the province ofIsabela, as well as part of the province's4th District, Santiago is administratively and legally independent from the province, in accordance with Section 25 of theLocal Government Code.[9] It is also the second most populous city in Isabela after the capital city,Ilagan.
Santiago was previously a native settlement discovered by the early Spanish missionaries at the bank of the old Carig River (now Diadi River) from which its original name, Carig, was derived. When theSpanish settled in, it was named Pueblo of Santiago Apostol de Carig, withSantiago as the Spanish name ofSaint James the Apostle. In the early 1950s, the Municipal President Vicente Carreon changed the name to simply Santiago.
.jpg)
Carig was initially established in 1743 at the foothills of mount Dalayag between present-day Isabela andNueva Vizcaya. A few years later, it was moved to its present location 15 kilometers away. Carig was also the site of a military garrison established by the Spaniards as a base for expeditions against unconquered tribes in present-dayIfugao and Quirino and to guard the mountain pass to Nueva Vizcaya.[10]
The early inhabitants of Santiago were theGaddangs and theIbanags.
Santiago was originally a part of the province ofCagayan (comprising the wholeCagayan Valley region), which was reorganized as a political subdivision in 1583 with Nueva Segovia (nowLal-lo) as its capital.
When the province of Nueva Vizcaya was created in 1839, Santiago became part of the new province. On May 1, 1856, when the province of Isabela was carved out by a Royal Decree, Santiago was among the towns relinquished to the newly created province. The first five barrios after the Cadastral survey in 1927 were Patul, Batal, Nabbuan, Buenavista and Dubinan.
It was said that there were only about three Filipino-owned sari-sari stores in Santiago in 1917. The settlers acquired most of their merchandise and other provisions from Chinese traders inEchague, the landing zone for products intended for Santiago and other towns, owing to its proximity to theCagayan River.
It was when the Villaverde Trail was opened when things were set in motion. It facilitated the entry of immigrants from various provinces inLuzon to the Cagayan Valley and Santiago absorbed a sizable share of these travelers. The new route served as an impetus for growth and introduced new technologies and business opportunities, and made Santiago a melting pot of different cultures.
In 1942, duringWorld War II, Japanese forces occupied Santiago. In 1945, the town was liberated by the Filipino soldiers of the 1st, 2nd, 12th, 13th and 15th Infantry Division and the USAFIP-NL 11th Infantry Regiment of thePhilippine Commonwealth Army, the 1st Constabulary Regiment of thePhilippine Constabulary and the recognized guerrilla fighter units. Santiago survived through the war, although badly damaged, and from then on developed to become the leading trading and commercial city in Cagayan Valley.
On December 17, 1993, the bill converting Santiago into an independent component city was approved by the House of Representatives spearheaded by the then Mayor Jose "Pempe" Miranda. In the following year, the Senate Committee on Local Government approved another public hearing dated February 23, 1994.
On May 5, 1994, PresidentFidel V. Ramos signed Republic Act 7720. The plebiscite was held on July 6, 1994, showed that voters approved this conversion, making Santiago the first city inCagayan Valley and 5th independent component city, afterCotabato City,Dagupan,Naga, andOrmoc.[11]
On February 14, 1998, Republic Act 8528 repealed this statute transforming it to a component city.[12] On December 29, 1999, theSupreme Court struck down the law and restored Santiago's independent cityhood.
During the 13th Congress, House Bill No. 3709, which sought to amend certain sections of Republic Act No. 7720, was filed byIsabela's 4th District Representative Anthony C. Miranda, but did not pass.[13]
The total land area of Santiago is 80% flat or nearly level land in the northwestern, eastern and western parts of the city. While adjacent areas have gently undulating and moderately rolling areas, and the remaining areas constitute steeply undulating and rolling lands. The Dariuk Hills is the highest point in the city.[citation needed]
The city sits on a vast area of predominantly flat and fertile land in the Cagayan Valley, surrounded by the Namamparang Mountains to the south, theSierra Madre to the east and theCordillera Mountain Range to the west alongside theMagat River.
Santiago is situated 76.44 kilometres (47.50 mi) south of the provincial capitalIlagan, and 359.28 kilometres (223.25 mi) north ofManila. It is located between 16º35’00” to 16º47’30” north latitude and 121º25’00” to 121º37’00” east longitude.
Santiago is politically subdivided into 37barangays. [14] Each barangay consists ofpuroks while some havesitios.
| PSGC | Barangay | Population | ±% p.a. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024[15] | 2010[16] | |||||
| 023135001 | Abra | 1.2% | 1,756 | 1,580 | ▴ | 0.73% |
| 023135002 | Ambalatungan | 1.0% | 1,547 | 1,376 | ▴ | 0.81% |
| 023135003 | Balintocatoc (Dariuk) | 2.5% | 3,777 | 3,598 | ▴ | 0.33% |
| 023135004 | Baluarte | 3.5% | 5,225 | 4,282 | ▴ | 1.38% |
| 023135005 | Bannawag Norte | 1.0% | 1,436 | 1,177 | ▴ | 1.37% |
| 023135006 | Batal | 5.6% | 8,461 | 7,994 | ▴ | 0.39% |
| 023135007 | Buenavista (Sitio Carubucod) | 2.7% | 4,010 | 3,776 | ▴ | 0.41% |
| 023135008 | Cabulay | 2.2% | 3,320 | 3,452 | ▾ | −0.27% |
| 023135009 | Calao East (Poblacion) | 2.2% | 3,259 | 4,111 | ▾ | −1.58% |
| 023135010 | Calao West (Poblacion) | 0.9% | 1,411 | 1,024 | ▴ | 2.23% |
| 023135011 | Calaocan (Talab) | 4.3% | 6,496 | 6,176 | ▴ | 0.35% |
| 023135012 | Villa Gonzaga (Caralet) | 1.1% | 1,723 | 1,619 | ▴ | 0.43% |
| 023135013 | Centro East (Poblacion) | 0.8% | 1,223 | 1,823 | ▾ | −2.70% |
| 023135014 | Centro West (Poblacion) | 0.8% | 1,185 | 2,375 | ▾ | −4.66% |
| 023135015 | Divisoria (Lantaran) | 2.9% | 4,373 | 4,372 | ▴ | 0.00% |
| 023135016 | Dubinan East | 1.3% | 1,888 | 2,485 | ▾ | −1.87% |
| 023135017 | Dubinan West | 2.1% | 3,103 | 3,312 | ▾ | −0.45% |
| 023135018 | Luna (Palasian) | 0.7% | 1,100 | 1,003 | ▴ | 0.64% |
| 023135019 | Mabini | 4.1% | 6,223 | 7,724 | ▾ | −1.47% |
| 023135020 | Malvar | 2.3% | 3,508 | 3,305 | ▴ | 0.41% |
| 023135021 | Nabbuan | 2.3% | 3,417 | 3,040 | ▴ | 0.81% |
| 023135022 | Naggasican | 3.7% | 5,560 | 5,379 | ▴ | 0.23% |
| 023135023 | Patul | 3.6% | 5,459 | 4,621 | ▴ | 1.15% |
| 023135024 | Plaridel (Dullit) | 4.2% | 6,245 | 6,531 | ▾ | −0.31% |
| 023135025 | Rizal | 9.2% | 13,803 | 12,709 | ▴ | 0.57% |
| 023135026 | Rosario (Pakret) | 7.6% | 11,441 | 11,364 | ▴ | 0.05% |
| 023135027 | Sagana (Kaminurian) | 3.0% | 4,473 | 3,667 | ▴ | 1.37% |
| 023135028 | Salvador (Kapayakan) | 1.3% | 1,991 | 1,687 | ▴ | 1.14% |
| 023135029 | San Andres | 1.2% | 1,747 | 1,371 | ▴ | 1.68% |
| 023135030 | San Isidro | 0.7% | 1,050 | 848 | ▴ | 1.48% |
| 023135031 | San Jose (Matunga-tungao) | 0.8% | 1,195 | 1,032 | ▴ | 1.01% |
| 023135032 | Sinili (Casilihan) | 0.9% | 1,409 | 1,335 | ▴ | 0.37% |
| 023135033 | Sinsayon | 2.1% | 3,172 | 3,246 | ▾ | −0.16% |
| 023135034 | Santa Rosa (Marubo-rubo) | 0.5% | 703 | 605 | ▴ | 1.04% |
| 023135035 | Victory Norte | 3.1% | 4,707 | 5,055 | ▾ | −0.49% |
| 023135036 | Victory Sur | 1.6% | 2,348 | 2,166 | ▴ | 0.56% |
| 023135037 | Villasis | 0.7% | 1,026 | 1,584 | ▾ | −2.94% |
| Total | 150,313 | 132,804 | ▴ | 0.85% | ||
Santiago has a climate with no pronounced wet or dry season. Usually, the city has a considerably dry climate with minimum rainfall. The average yearly temperature is measured at 24.9 °C (76.8 °F). Annual and daily temperature variation is minimal. Temperature ranges are usually from 18 to 35 °C (64 to 95 °F).
| Climate data for Santiago City | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 27 (81) | 27 (81) | 29 (84) | 28 (82) | 27 (81) | 25 (77) | 26 (79) | 27 (81) | 31 (88) | 29 (84) | 27 (81) | 27 (81) | 28 (82) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 20 (68) | 20 (68) | 21 (70) | 20 (68) | 21 (70) | 20 (68) | 21 (70) | 22 (72) | 23 (73) | 23 (73) | 21 (70) | 21 (70) | 21 (70) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 162 (6.4) | 156 (6.1) | 90 (3.5) | 60 (2.4) | 144 (5.7) | 201 (7.9) | 159 (6.3) | 108 (4.3) | 111 (4.4) | 237 (9.3) | 276 (10.9) | 171 (6.7) | 1,875 (73.9) |
| Average rainy days | 14 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 180 |
| Source: World Weather Online(modeled/calculated data, not measured locally)[17] | |||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source:Philippine Statistics Authority[18][19][16][20][21] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The dominant religion in the city isRoman Catholic (Saint James the Apostle Parish in Barangay Centro West and Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Barangay Rizal). However, other Christian sectors are also present in Santiago such asIglesia ni Cristo,United Methodist Church, Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch),Jesus is Lord Church, Christ the Rock Church andthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Being a district full of different cultures, such as Indians, Muslims, and Chinese, several religious groups have also opened their places of worship to the public, such as the Chinese Temple, the Muslim Mosque and the Gurudwara Jagat Sudhar Indian Sikh Temple.
Home of several business enterprises, banking institutions, educational entities, as well as manufacturing companies, Santiago is considered the Commercial and Trading Center of Cagayan Valley and tagged as the Investment Hub of the North.[22]
Robinsons Land Corporation launchedRobinsons Place Santiago as its pioneer mall in Cagayan Valley.Vista Land and Lifescapes, Inc. built its first horizontal subdivision in the Valley with Camella Isabela Communities, Inc. In 2013, it launched another project named Camella Santiago. In 2018, Camella Santiago expanded and named as Camella Santiago Trails. It is building its banner mall in the Cagayan Valley Region, theVista Mall Santiago. Another multi-national real estate developer will soon be built its prime subdivision, Primeworld Suburb, owned by Primeworld land holdings Company.
The head-office of Grupo Marilens, the largest homegrown corporation in the region, is in Santiago. Aljay, an agri-chemical company, has a presence in the city and has a manufacturing plant for agrichemical, fertilizer and feeds supply for poultry and piggery and the only manufacturing plant for fertilizers and agrichemicals in the region.
Three of the biggest TV networks in the country (i.e.ABS-CBN,GMA7,TV5) stationed their regional networks and relay stations in the city.San Miguel Corp.,Pepsi Cola,Purefoods,Digitel andPLDT also operate in the city.
Santiago houses some of the biggest hospitals in the region. De Vera's Medical Center, Callang General Hospital and Medical Center and Santiago Adventist Hospital are private hospitals. The Southern Isabela Medical Center is the biggest public hospital while Flores Memorial Hospital and Medical Center is the oldest in the city. Santiago also has Renmar Specialists' Hospital, which is a specialty hospital for complicated cases of pulmonology and orthopedics. Santiago Medical City is the latest addition. The city's location is key to the growth of smaller hospitals like Renmar Hospital and Corado Hospital.
Based on the 2016 City Competitiveness Index, Santiago is the fastest growing local economy in the entire Philippines and is now ranked 51 in terms of economy size among all cities in the country.
Despite rapid industrialization, agriculture is still the main source of livelihood. The main crops are rice, corn, and high-value fruits and vegetables. The city is where imposing grain stations can be found. Rice mills abound. It is the pivotal place for crops where harvests fromIfugao,Kalinga,Quirino,Nueva Vizcaya, and parts ofIsabela are transported either toNueva Ecija,Bulacan,Pangasinan orBatangas. In addition to the city's product is muscovado sugar which the local government has been promoting for export.
As an independent component city in the Province of Isabela, government officials of Isabela are not voted by the city. Unlike most other towns in the province, the provincial government has no political jurisdiction over local transactions of the city government. Residents of this city are not allowed to run in the provincial level except for congressional representation, where Santiago City is part of Isabela's 4th congressional district.
The City of Santiago is governed by amayor-council system. There are ten city councilors. The council is the official governing body of the city, also known as theSangguniang Panlungsod. The council agenda is presided over by the city vice mayor.
Barangays are also headed by elected officials:Barangay Captain,Barangay Council, whose members are calledBarangay Councilors. The barangays have SK federation which represents the barangay, headed by SK chairperson and whose members are called SK councilors. All officials in the city are elected every three years.
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| District Representative (4th Legislative District the Province of Isabela) | Joseph S. Tan |
| Chief Executive of the City of Santiago | Mayor Alyssa Sheena T. Dy |
| Presiding Officer of the City Council of Santiago | Vice Mayor Alvin N. Abaya |
| Councilors of the City of Santiago | Arlene Jane Alvarez-Reyes |
| Paul C. De Jesus | |
| Resureccion Turingan-Ponce | |
| Cassandra Eunice Sable | |
| Katrina Camille B. Bautista | |
| Jamayne C. Tan | |
Nicoline Shane A. Miranda | |
| Orlando T. Chan | |
| Marcelino Cabucana Jr. | |
| Sherman A. Miguel |
Santiago is represented in the Philippine Congress as part of Isabela's4th legislative district. Currently, Joseph S. Tan is the city's representative.[33]
The majority of the population speaks Tagalog and Ilocano. English is the medium of instruction in schools and is generally understood and spoken especially in the business community.
Tourism is a new industry in the city. Serving as the jump-off point in northeastern Luzon for tourists, many landmarks are developed. Tourist spots near Santiago are Quirino Province,Magat Dam in Isabela,Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao, and white sand beaches inAurora Province facing the Pacific Ocean.
Santiago is the gateway to the plains of Cagayan Valley. It connects several provinces with the following major roads crossing the city:
Serving as a bridge to the region's provincial network, numerous bus terminals are present in the city. These includeVictory Liner, Northeast Luzon Bus Line (formerly Nelbusco),GV Florida Transport,Five Star Bus Company, EMC LBS bus lines, GMW Trans among others.
The Integrated Transport Terminal and Commercial Complex has also been established to cater for all public utility jeepneys, buses, and vans that operate from nearby provinces and localities to the city.
Notable school institutions located in the city are the School of Saint James the Apostle (formerly La Salette Elementary School),Santiago Cultural Institute (Chinese School), Children First School, Infant Jesus Montessori School, AMA Computer College Santiago City Campus, TAPS, Patria Sable Corpus College,University of La Salette andNortheastern College, one of the oldest schools in the region. The Southern Isabela College of Arts and Trades is the biggest vocational school operating in the city. Also, there are numerous international schools operating in the city.
The Schools Division Office of Santiago City governs the city's public education system. The division office is a field office of theDepEd inCagayan Valley region.[34] The office governs the public elementary and public high schools throughout the city. Currently, the city has three school districts: Santiago East, Santiago North, and Santiago West.[35]
These are radio and TV stations that are available in the city.[36][37] Some stations may not be in operation.
List of television stations[38] that are in operation in the city. Some stations may no longer in operation.
 | This sectionneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.(March 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Ilagan, Isabela[citation needed]Makati[citation needed]Marikina[citation needed]Puerto Princesa[citation needed]
Rustavi,Georgia[citation needed]
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Places adjacent to Santiago, Isabela | |
|---|---|
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
