Santander, Cebu

Santander Tañong
Municipality
Fast craft terminal in Liloan
Map of Cebu with Santander highlighted
Santander Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 9°27′N 123°20′E / 9.45°N 123.33°E / 9.45; 123.33Coordinates: 9°27′N 123°20′E / 9.45°N 123.33°E / 9.45; 123.33
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Visayas (Region VII)
Province	Cebu
District	2nd district of Cebu
Founded	1867
Barangay	10 (see § Barangays)
Government [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Marilyn Wenceslao (LP)
• Vice mayor	Wilson Wenceslao
• Town Council	Members Jesusa Estaño Napoleon Teves Elenita Serencio Marites Buscato Wilbert Miral Santiago Gador Juanito Puspus Sal Cepria 2016 unofficial result
• Representative	Wilfredo Caminero
Area[2]
• Total	35.67 km2 (13.77 sq mi)
• Land	29.53 km2 (11.40 sq mi)
Elevation	200 m (700 ft)
Population (2015 census)[3]
• Total	17,857
• Density	500/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
• Voter (2016)[4]	11,577
Demonym(s)	Tañonganon
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	6026
IDD : area code	+63 (0)32
Income class	4th class
PSGC	072245000
Website	santander.gov.ph

Santander is a 4th municipal income class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 17,857.^[3] In the 2016 election, it had 11,577 registered voters.^[4]

Santander is the southernmost municipality of Cebu, at 137 km (85 mi) by road, and which takes 3½-4 hours. It is the location of sea ports that connect to Negros Oriental. Fast craft ferry passengers to Sibulan, with trips taking 20 minutes. Roll-on roll-off barges travel to Amlan, with trips taking one hour.

It is known for its Tostado Festival.

History

Santander is at the southernmost tip of Cebu. The town was originally called Tañong, but with the coming of the Spaniards, it was renamed Santander, after the city on the northern (Atlantic) coast of Spain.

The town was established in 1867; the parish in 1897.

Geography

Santander's terrain is dominated by a backdrop of rugged ranges which raise from a flat narrow coastal plain to an average elevation of 200 metres (660 ft). Strongly sloping to sleepy sloping contours are scattered throughout the municipality.

Barangays

Santander comprises 10 barangays:

PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a. 2015[3] 2010[5] 072245001 Bunlan 12.2% 2,171 1,929 +2.28%      072245002 Cabutongan 5.9% 1,050 1,090 −0.71%      072245003 Candamiang 5.7% 1,023 899 +2.49%      072245010 Canlumacad 5.0% 887 769 +2.76%      072245004 Liloan 12.4% 2,219 1,950 +2.49%      072245005 Lip‑tong 8.0% 1,436 1,138 +4.53%      072245006 Looc 11.5% 2,053 1,899 +1.50%      072245007 Pasil 9.3% 1,665 1,514 +1.83%      072245008 Poblacion 15.6% 2,791 2,583 +1.49%      072245009 Talisay 14.3% 2,562 2,334 +1.79%      Total 17,857 16,105 +1.99%

Demographics

In the 2016 election, it had 11,577 registered voters, meaning that 65% of the population are aged 18 and over.^[4]

The death rate is 3.06 per 1000 people, or 0.306%.

Language

Most of the Tañonganons (people living in Santander) speak Cebuano (Santander Version). In schools, Filipino and English languages are taught and used as a major instruction in all subjects.

Economy

Santander Municipal Hall

Santander may be the third smallest town in Cebu, but it has turned out many professionals. Majority of the people depend on the sea for livelihood – fishermen who continually explore the vast Palawan and East Philippine seas in search for rich fishing grounds. The method of fishing used is the destructive muro-ami technique, which has been banned on several occasions due to its negative effects on marine life.

Before, there were four wholesale enterprises, one superstore and few sari-sari stores. An improvised market composed mostly of "talipapas" serves as satellite mater. This were located along Jose Rizal Street beside the Municipal building. By the year 2001, the business establishments began to grow and develop. Many larger businesses have been established in Santander such as LGC Marketing. The major agricultural produce in Santander is corn, copra, and root crops (cassava and sweet potato). Most people especially those living in mountain barangays plant corns as a source of their income and livelihood.

Santander was the only 5th class and small municipality in Cebu that promoted its income class from 5th to 4th class.

Transport

Before, there were only two ports in Santander serving barges and boats bound for Dumaguete City. Now there are 4 ports connecting to Negros Island – three are located at Liloan and one at Talisay.

Education

There are 8 elementary and 3 high schools in Santander. Two of these schools are private located in Looc. Most of the Tañonganon students are enrolled in public schools especially in Santander Central Elementary School and Santander National School.

Sports

Basketball is the most popular sport in Santander. This game is usually played in the afternoons where school time is over and also for the adults whose work hours is done (specially construction works). During summer, a lot of basketball competitions between different barangays. This was done in order that youths avoid vices and illegal drugs. Volleyball is also played in summer competitions but it is more usually participated in by women. Other sports such as baseball and football are also played in Santander.

Tourism

Waterfront of Santander, with Negros Oriental in the background

Santander's popularity as a tourist destination has increased in the past few years, since it serves as the hub for some world-renowned dive spots like Apo Island, Balicasag, Pescador Island, Sumilon and Siquijor. This is also reflected in the growth of Santander in the tourism industry. 6 years ago there were only two resorts, still open today. Today there are eleven.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Santander.

External links

		Samboan	Oslob
	Amlan, Negros Oriental ⛴ Tañon Strait		Bohol Sea
		Santander
	San Jose, Negros Oriental ⛴ Tañon Strait	Tañon Strait ⛴ Sibulan, Negros Oriental

Province of Cebu
Cebu City (capital)
Municipalities	Alcantara Alcoy Alegria Aloguinsan Argao Asturias Badian Balamban Bantayan Barili Boljoon Borbon Carmen Catmon Compostela Consolacion Cordova Daanbantayan Dalaguete Dumanjug Ginatilan Liloan Madridejos Malabuyoc Medellin Minglanilla Moalboal Oslob Pilar Pinamungajan Poro Ronda Samboan San Fernando San Francisco San Remigio Santa Fe Santander Sibonga Sogod Tabogon Tabuelan Tuburan Tudela
Component cities	Bogo Carcar Danao Naga Talisay Toledo
Highly urbanized cities	Cebu City Lapu-Lapu Mandaue (Administratively independent from the province but grouped under Cebu by the Philippine Statistics Authority. Mandaue is grouped under the 6th legislative district of Cebu but still independent from the province.)