Santiago, Isabela

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 2020 census, it has a population of 148,580 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.
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.
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.
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 in Echague, the landing zone for products intended for Santiago and other towns, owing to its proximity to the Cagayan River.
It was when the Villaverde Trail was opened when things were set in motion. It facilitated the entry of immigrants from various provinces in Luzon 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, during World 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 the Philippine Commonwealth Army, the 1st Constabulary Regiment of the Philippine 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, President Fidel 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 in Cagayan Valley and 5th independent component city, after Cotabato City, Dagupan, Naga, and Ormoc.
On February 14, 1998, Republic Act 8528 repealed this statute transforming it to a component city. On December 29, 1999, the Supreme 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 by Isabela's 4th District Representative Anthony C. Miranda, but did not pass.
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.
Santiago is situated 72 kilometres (45 mi) south of Ilagan, the provincial capital, and 326 kilometres (203 mi) north of Metro Manila. 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 located between 16º35’00” to 16º47’30” north latitude and 121º25’00” to 121º37’00” east longitude.
Santiago is politically subdivided into 37 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.
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).
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.
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. 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 and PLDT 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 from Ifugao, Kalinga, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and parts of Isabela are transported either to Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pangasinan or Batangas. 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 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.
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 in the city are elected every three years.
Santiago is represented in the Philippine Congress as part of Isabela's 4th legislative district. Currently, Joseph S. Tan is the city's representative.
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.
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 include Victory 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 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. The office governs the public elementary and public high schools throughout the city.
These are radio and TV stations that are available in the city. Some stations may not be in operation.
List of television stations that are in operation in the city. Some stations may no longer in operation.