Santa Catalina, Ilocos Sur

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.
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).

Country     Philippines Region       Ilocos Region (Region 1) Province    Ilocos Sur District       1st District

Barangays  9

Government -Mayor Carlos R. Asuncion

Area -Total     9.68 sq. km (3.7 sq mi)

Population (2007) -Total 13,284 -Density    1,372.3/sq. km (3554.3/sq. mi)

Time Zone  PST (UTC +8)

Zip code 2701

Income Class  5th class