# San Mateo, Isabela

San Mateo (pronounced locally as /sænˈmäCHō/ not /sæn mə-tay-oh/ , Spanish for St. Matthew), officially the Municipality of San Mateo (Ilocano: Ili ti San Mateo; Tagalog: Bayan ng San Mateo), is a municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 66,663 people.
San Mateo is one of the cleanest town in the region. The administrators encourage the people of the municipality to use paper bags instead of plastic bags in line with its claim as an "Agro-Ecological Town".

## Etymology

The town was first named as Marasat. It was a former barangay of Cauayan, then Santiago. It was called the Municipality of Yoshisawa under the government of the Japanese Imperial Army during the Second World War. After the liberation, it was finally created and named San Mateo by virtue of Presidential Executive Order No. 97 on March 17, 1946, by then President Sergio Osmeña. It was named for its founder, the late Don Mateo A. Cadeliña.

## History

On March 17, 1946, President Sergio Osmeña issued Executive Order No. 97, which established San Mateo as a formal municipality. According to the provisions of Executive Order No. 249 of the Office of the President of the Philippines, and based on the municipality's annual average income for CY 2004–2007 as certified by the Commission on Audit, and as implemented by Department of Finance Order No. 23–08 dated July 29, 2008, the municipality was reclassified from a second class municipality to first class municipality.
On December 1, 2008, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo designated the Municipality as an Agro-Ecological Destination in Cagayan Valley Region as recommended by the Department of Agriculture due to its vast ecological and agricultural production areas, as well as being the recipient of the Galing Pook Award 2007 for the best local governance programs. On January 27, 2012, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala designated the municipality as the Munggo Capital of the Philippines. This is in acknowledgment of local leaders' valuable efforts to promote munggo production, which is a high-value commercial commodity.'
According to Republic Act No. 7160, also known as the Local Government Code of 1991, the municipality is responsible for coordinating and providing basic, regular, and direct services to its residents in order to promote social and economic development. As proof, the municipality of San Mateo received the Seal of Good Local Governance from 2015 to 2019 and again in 2022, the Department of the Interior and Local Government's highest accreditation for performing local governments.

## Geography

San Mateo is situated in the southwestern part of Isabela. It is bounded on the north by Aurora, on the northeast by Cabatuan, on the east by Cauayan, on the east-southeast by Alicia, on the south by Ramon and on the west Alfonso Lista in the Province of Ifugao.
San Mateo is 54 kilometers (34 mi) from Ilagan and 350 kilometers (220 mi) from Manila.

### Barangays

San Mateo is politically subdivided into 33 barangays.  Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.
* Bacarreña
* Bagong Sikat
* Bella Luz
* Dagupan
* Daramuangan Norte
* Daramuangan Sur
* Estrella
* Gaddanan
* Malasin
* Mapuroc
* Marasat Grande
* Marasat Pequeño
* Old Centro I
* Old Centro Proper
* Barangay I (Poblacion)
* Barangay II (Poblacion)
* Barangay III (Poblacion)
* Barangay IV (Poblacion)
* Salinungan East
* Salinungan West
* San Andres
* San Antonio
* San Ignacio
* San Manuel
* San Marcos
* San Roque
* Sinamar Norte
* Sinamar Sur
* Victoria
* Villafuerte
* Villa Cruz
* Villa Magat
* Villa Gamiao (Buyon)

### Climate

Climate data for San Mateo, Isabela :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 29 (84) | 30 (86) | 32 (90) | 35 (95) | 35 (95) | 35 (95) | 34 (93) | 33 (91) | 32 (90) | 31 (88) | 30 (86) | 28 (82) | 32 (90) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 15 (59) | 17 (63) | 18 (64) | 19 (66) | 23 (73) | 24 (75) | 23 (73) | 23 (73) | 23 (73) | 22 (72) | 19 (66) | 17 (63) | 20 (68) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 31.2 (1.23) | 23 (0.9) | 27.7 (1.09) | 28.1 (1.11) | 113.5 (4.47) | 141.4 (5.57) | 176.4 (6.94) | 236.6 (9.31) | 224.9 (8.85) | 247.7 (9.75) | 222.9 (8.78) | 178 (7.0) | 1,651.4 (65) |
| Average rainy days | 10 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 144 |
| Source: World Weather Online ||||||||||||||
The climate of San Mateo falls under third type. This type of climate is characterized by no pronounced maximum rain period with a short dry season lasting from one to three months. Rainfall starts in July and continues through December with either October or November as the peak of the rainy season.
Per data gathered from the ISU PAG-ASA PCARRD AGROMET Station, Echague, Isabela, the average monthly rainfall for 2011 was 238.20mm with the highest recorded at 558.20mm in September and at least in March with 32.6mm. The highest recorded temperature was its peak in May at 34.40C during the summer season and the lowest at 26.10C in January. However the average temperature for the same period was 30.70C.

### Land Classification and Uses

The soil type of San Mateo is 49.89% Santa Rita Clay Loam which is suited for lowland crops like rice, tobacco and mungo. Other soil types are Bago Series (26.04%), San Manuel Series (9.87%), Peñaranda (2.31%), Agustin Series (7.95%) and River Wash Gravel (3.95%).
The existing land uses of the municipality are as follows:
The long and mighty Magat River, the biggest tributary of the Cagayan River lies in the vast plains devoted to agriculture in the area.
The Tao-Tao River and the four (4) creeks found in the municipality named Porvida, Gaddanan, Macañao and Balaobao are likewise tapped to supply water to elevated portions of agricultural lands through the use of water pumps.

### Topography

The terrain of the municipality is basically plain with 98% of the total land area under 0-2 percent slope category and only 2% of the total area is under the 2.3-5 percent slope category. The excellent topography of the municipality has made irrigation by gravity method applicable in flooding of rice paddies.

## Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of San Mateo, Isabela, was 66,663 people, with a density of 550 inhabitants per square kilometre or 1,400 inhabitants per square mile.

### Language

The population is a combination of different ethnic group dominated by Ilocano speaking people which make Ilocano the common language used in the municipality.

## Economy

Poverty incidence of San Mateo
* 5
* 10
* 15
* 20
* 25
* 30
* 2000 26.49
* 2003 20.30
* 2006 14.30
* 2009 14.63
* 2012 12.72
* 2015 9.94
* 2018 10.66
* 2021 11.57
* Source: Philippine Statistics Authority
According to the 2020 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index conducted by the National Competitiveness Council, San Mateo took the 141st spot among the first class and second class municipalities in the Philippines.
* 2015 44th
* 2016 99th
* 2017 123rd
* 2018 92nd
* 2019 72nd
* 2020 141st
* 2021 292nd
* 2022 242nd
* 2023 160th
* MANG INASAL-San Mateo
* JOLLIBEE-San Mateo
* UltraMega Supermarket
* Andoks

## Culture

* March 17 - Town Fiesta
-In this event, San Mateo, Isabela celebrate its founding Anniversary with highly anticipated programs or events. before the pandemic happen San Mateo isabela conducts Drum and lyre competition by Secondary schools and Elementary schools. they also conduct BINIBINING SAN MATEO/ MISS SAN MATEO/QUEEN SAN MATEO and other events.
* 1st week of May - Munggo Festival
-Balatong festival is celebrated annually to honor and give thanks to God for the blessings and good abundance in harvesting Balatong or munggo, one of the primary product of the town. this celebration highlights the street dance competition, balatong village/eco tourism booth highlighting the products that is made out of munggo like munggo cantoon,munggo bucchi, munggo blend(coffee), munggo pulborun, munggo ice cream etc. also in the previous years san mateo conducting a pagent for Mr and mrs balatong, also, cookfest that a mainly dish is out of munggo.

## Government
### Local government

As a municipality in the Province of Isabela, government officials at the provincial and municipal levels are voted by the town. The provincial government has political jurisdiction over most local transactions of the municipal government.
The municipality of San Mateo is governed by a mayor, designated as its local chief executive, and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the municipal councilors are elected directly in polls held every three years.
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.

### Elected Officials

Members of the San Mateo Municipal Council (2022–2025) :
| Position | Name |
| District Representative | Ian Paul L. Dy |
| Municipal Mayor | Gregorio A. Pua |
| Municipal Vice-Mayor | Arvin M. Barangan |
| Municipal Councilors | Atty. Louella Marie R. Agcaoili,CPA |
| Municipal Councilors | Agosto Gamboa |
| Municipal Councilors | Sherwin Cadeliña |
| Municipal Councilors | Lailo Paulo Palomares |
| Municipal Councilors | Jonabel Collado |
| Municipal Councilors | Atty. Eric Subia |
| Municipal Councilors | Santos Villamar |
| Municipal Councilors | Jennifer Ramones (Appointed) |
| IPMR | Valerie P. Galamay |
| LMB President | Edilberto B. De Leon |
| SK Federation President | Angelo A. Corpuz |

### Punong Barangay

Members of the Liga ng mga Barangay (2022–2025) :
| Barangay | Name |
| Bacarreña | Ronaldo P. Cabacungan, Sr. |
| Bagong Sikat | Bagong Kapitan |
| Barangay 1 | Aristoteles Visaya |
| Barangay 2 | Arnelyn Daynos |
| Barangay 3 | Rogelio Dumgca |
| Barangay 4 | Leo Umipig |
| Bella Luz | Julie Pua |
| Dagupan | Rizalito Manglal-lan |
| Estrella | Ronnie Constantino |
| Gaddanan | Robert Barboza |
| Malasin | Edilberto De Leon |
| Marasat Grande | Jomar Antonio |
| Old Centro Proper | Elizabeth Trinidad |
| Old Centro 1 | Noel Visitacion |
| Salinungan West | Genaro Reyno |
| San Andres | Juan Baniaga Jr. |
| San Ignacio | Deogracias Cabiles |
| San Roque | Marino Yahin |
| Victoria | Joseph Lorenzo |
| Villa Cruz | Quirino Cardenas |

### Sangguniang Kabataan Chairpersons

Members of the Pambayang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan (2023–2025) :
| Barangay | Name |
| Bacarreña | Alexis Galiza |
| Bagong Sikat | Jayrald Subia |
| Barangay 1 | Eliza Mina |
| Barangay 2 | John Philip Oppuer |
| Barangay 3 | Geo Niko Villarta |
| Barangay 4 | AJ Laderas |

### Congress representation

San Mateo, belonging to the third legislative district of the province of Isabela, currently represented by Hon. Ian Paul L. Dy.

### MAYORS OF SAN MATEO, ISABELA

| Barangay | Name |
| 1942 | Doroteo Barbero |
| 1943 | Estanislao Bueno |
| 1946 | Don Mateo Cadeliña |
| 1946 - 1951 | Cornelio Alipio |
| 1951 - 1955 | Don Mateo Cadeliña |
| 1955 - 1960 | Marcelo Santiago |
| 1960 - 1962 | Hermogenes Ramil |
| 1962 - 1963 | Braulio Lucas |
| 1963 - 1986 | Severo Lachica |
| 1986 - 1998 | Dr. Venancio O. Villarta |
| 1998 - 2001 | Feliciano Palomares |
| 2001 - 2010 | Roberto C. Agcaoili |
| 2010 - 2019 | Dra. Crispina R. Agcaoili |
| 2019–Present | Atty. Gregorio A. Pua (Ret. Col.) |

### Provincial Leaders from San Mateo

San Mateo also produced provincial leaders which include Governor Gabriel Visaya, Third District Board Members which include Severo Lachica and Dr. Venancio O. Villarta, and appointed Agricultural Representative to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Napoleon Hernandez II.

## Healthcare

* BBCSS Pediatric Medical And Surgical Clinic
* Bumagat Maternity and Medical Clinic
* Juvelo Family Clinic
* New Samaritan Medical And Pediatric Clinic
* Piedad Medical Clinic
* Ricafort's Medical and Surgical Clinic
* San Mateo Integrated Community Hospital
* San Mateo Kidney Care and Dialysis Center
* San Mateo Multicare Hospital
* San Mateo Rural Health Unit
* Sevilleja Medical Clinic

## Education

The Schools Division of Isabela governs the town's public education system. The division office is a field office of the DepEd in Cagayan Valley region. The office governs the public and private elementary and public and private high schools throughout the municipality.

### Colleges and Universities

* Isabela State University (San Mateo Campus)
* Cagayan Valley Automotive and Technical School Inc.

### High school

* Eveland Christian College
* La Salette Of San Mateo, Inc.
* Salinungan National High School
* Salinungan Stand Alone Senior High School
* San Mateo General Comprehensive High School
* San Mateo National High School
* San Mateo Vocational Industrial High School
* Victoria Integrated School- Junior High School Department)
* The Rainbow learning Center

### Elementary

* Bagong Sikat Elementary School
* Bacarreña Adventis Elementary School
* Dagupan Elementary School
* Daramuangan Norte Elementary School
* Daramuangan Sur Elementary School
* Diamond Christian School
* Estrella-Bella Luz Elementary School
* Estrella Elementary School
* Eveland Christian College
* Gaddanan Elementary School
* Grace Christian School
* La Salette of San Mateo, Inc.
* Malasin Elementary School
* Mapuroc Elementary School
* Marasat Pequeño Elementary School
* Mary Shine of Saint Matthew
* Salinungan East Elementary School
* San Antonio Elementary School
* San Ignacio Elementary School
* San Manuel Elementary School
* San Marcos Elementary School
* San Mateo East Central School
* San Mateo North Central School
* San Mateo West Central School
* San Roque Elementary School
* Sinamar Norte Elementary School
* Sinamar Sur Dumag Elementary School
* The Rainbow Learning Center
* Victoria Integrated School
* Villa Cruz Elementary School
* Villa Fuerte Elementary School
* Villa Gamiao Elementary School
* Villa Magat Elementary School