Santa Maria, Romblon


Santa Maria, officially the Municipality of Santa Maria,, 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.
On September 12, 1982, barrio Concepcion 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.
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.

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.

Barangays

Santa Maria is politically subdivided into 6 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
  • Bonga
  • Concepcion Norte
  • Concepcion Sur
  • Paroyhog
  • Santo Niño
  • San Isidro

Demographics

According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 8,360 people.

Language

Onhan, also known as Taga-onhan or Inunhan, 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.

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, a vice mayor and members 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
30 June 2010 - 30 June 2013Artemio R. Madrid Dennis Corpin y Fortu
30 June 2013 – 30 June 2016Artemio R. Madrid Dennis Corpin y Fortu
30 June 2016 - 30 June 2019Artemio R. Madrid Lorilie "Bic-Bic" Fabon
30 June 2019 - 30 June 2022Lorilie "Bic-Bic" FabonDennis Corpin y Fortu
30 June 2022 - 30 June 2025Lorilie "Bic-Bic" FabonRoland Largueza
30 June 2025 - incumbentLorilie "Bic-Bic" FabonRoland Largueza

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

  • Alfredo P. Navarette Memorial School
  • Bonga Elementary School
  • Concepcion Norte Elementary School
  • Concepcion Sur Elementary School
  • Hinugusan Elementary School
  • Long Beach Elementary School
  • Paroyhog Elementary School
  • Sto. Niño Elementary School
  • Talamban Elementary School

Secondary schools

Sister cities