圣地亚哥 城镇

Santiago, officially the City of Santiago (Ilocano: Siudad ti Santiago; Ibanag: Siudad nat Santiago; Gaddang: Siudad na Santiago; Filipino: Lungsod ng Santiago), is an independent component city in the Cagayan Valley region of the Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 150,313 people.

It is formerly known as Carig during the time of the Spanish, it is located between the southwestern part of Isabela and the northwestern boundary of Quirino in northeastern Luzon island of the Philippines. It is the gateway to the vast plains of Cagayan Valley.

Despite being statistically grouped by the Philippine Statistics Authority and geographically located within the boundaries of the province of Isabela, as well as part of the province's 4th District, Santiago is administratively and legally independent from the province, in accordance with Section 25 of the Local Government Code. It is also the second most populous city in Isabela after the capital city, Ilagan.

Etymology

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 the Spanish settled in, it was named Pueblo of Santiago Apostol de Carig, with Santiago as the Spanish name of Saint James the Apostle. In the early 1950s, the Municipal President Vicente Carreon changed the name to simply Santiago.

History

Carig was initially established in 1743 at the foothills of mount Dalayag between present-day Isabela and Nueva 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-day Ifugao and Quirino and to guard the mountain pass to Nueva Vizcaya.

The early inhabitants of Santiago were the Gaddangs and the Ibanags.

Santiago was originally a part of the province of Cagayan (comprising the whole Cagayan Valley region), which was reorganized as a political subdivision in 1583 with Nueva Segovia (now Lal-lo) as its capital.

Geography

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.

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, the Sierra Madre to the east and the Cordillera Mountain Range to the west alongside the Magat River.

Santiago is situated 76.44 kilometres (47.50 mi) south of the provincial capital Ilagan, and 359.28 kilometres (223.25 mi) north of Manila.

Demographics

Religion

The dominant religion in the city is Roman 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 as Iglesia ni Cristo, United Methodist Church, Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch), Jesus is Lord Church, Christ the Rock Church and the 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.

Economy

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.

Robinsons Land Corporation launched Robinsons 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, the Vista Mall Santiago.

Government

Local government

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 a mayor-council system. There are ten city councilors. The council is the official governing body of the city, also known as the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The council agenda is presided over by the city vice mayor.

Culture and tourism

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 in Aurora Province facing the Pacific Ocean.

Festivals

Balamban Dance Festival (formerly known as Balamban Butterfly Festival) - In the year 2014, a new festival was conceptualized by the city government to celebrate Santiago's cityhood.

Infrastructure

Santiago is the gateway to the plains of Cagayan Valley. It connects several provinces with the following major roads crossing the city:

Pan-Philippine Highway

Santiago - Tuguegarao Road

Santiago - Saguday Road

Santiago - Diffun Road (Patul Road)

Santiago Bypass Road (Sinsayon to Rizal)

Santiago Bypass Road (Rizal to Divisoria)

Santiago Bypass Road (Sinsayon to Baluarte; on going)

Santiago Bypass Road (Baluarte to Divisoria; planned)

Santiago City Road

Alvarez Boulevard

Serving as a bridge to the region's provincial network, numerous bus terminals are present in the city. These include Victory Liner, Northeast Luzon Bus Line (formerly Nelbusco), GV Florida Transport, Five Star Bus Company, EMC LBS bus lines, GMW Trans among others.

Education

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 and Northeastern 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 the DepEd in Cagayan Valley region.

Media

These are radio and TV stations that are available in the city. Some stations may not be in operation.

AM Radio

828 kHz DZRH Nationwide (DWRH; Manila Broadcasting Company) (repeater)

DWSI 864 Sonshine Radio Santiago (DWSI; Sonshine Media Network International

1143 DZMR Missions Radio (DZMR; Far East Broadcasting Company)

DWEY 1179 Life Radio Santiago (DWET; End-Time Mission Broadcasting Service)

FM Radio

92.9 Brigada News FM Cauayan (DWYI; Brigada Mass Media Corporation) (Served and the airwaves of Cauayan, Isabela and expanded areas)

93.7 Radyo Natin Santiago (DWTR; Manila Broadcasting Company/Radyo Natin Network)

94.5 MHz Love Radio Santiago (DWIP; Manila Broadcasting Company)

96.9 Big Radio (Rajah Broadcasting Network) (Soon to Air)

Cable and Satellite TV

Regal Cable TV Network

Notable personalities

Entertainment

Sheena Mae Catacutan, member of Pinoy pop group Bini and former Pinoy Big Brother: Otso housemate.

4th Impact (formerly 4th Power, Cercado Sisters, Gollayan Sisters, and MICA), girl group consisting of sisters Almira, Irene, Mylene and Celina Cercado.

Peter Musñgi, voice-over artist for Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (early 1980s–1987), Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation (1984–1986), ABS-CBN (1987–2020), Star Cinema (1993–present), Kapamilya Channel and Kapamilya Online Live (2020–present).

Karina Bautista, actress and former Pinoy Big Brother: Otso housemate.

Zig Dulay, film director.

Military

Florence Finch, Filipino-American member of the World War II resistance against the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.

Politics

Heherson Alvarez, politician and Senator.

Sister cities

Local

Ilagan, Isabela

Makati

Marikina

Puerto Princesa