Santo Tomas, Isabela

History

The municipality was established in 1949 from several barrios of Cabagan.

In 1952, Santo Tomas lost two barrios when the barrios of Abut and Minagbag were transferred to the newly created town of Mallig. In 1961, those barrios were transferred to the newly created municipality of Quezon.

Geography

Santo Tomas is a landlocked municipality situated in the northern portion of the province of Isabela. It is bounded to the west by Quezon, to the south by Delfin Albano, to the southeast by Tumauini, to the north and northeast by Cabagan and the Cagayan River.

Santo Tomas is situated 45.06 km from the provincial capital Ilagan, and 473.98 km from the country's capital city of Manila.

Barangays

Santo Tomas is politically subdivided into 27 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

• Ammugauan
• Antagan
• Bagabag
• Bagutari
• Balelleng
• Barumbong
• Biga Occidental
• Biga Oriental
• Bubug
• Bolinao-Culalabo
• Calanigan Norte
• Calanigan Sur
• Calinaoan Centro
• Calinaoan Malasin
• Calinaoan Norte
• Cañogan Abajo Norte
• Cañogan Abajo Sur
• Cañogan Alto
• Centro
• Colunguan
• Malapagay
• San Rafael Abajo
• San Rafael Alto
• San Roque
• San Vicente
• Uauang-Tuliao
• Uauang-Galicia

Uauang-Galicia is now the population is 0 according in 2010 Census.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2024 census, the population of Santo Tomas was 25,997 people, with a density of {{sigfig|24,528/60.70|2}} PD/km2.

Economy

Farming is its primary source of income. The most widespread plantations were rice, corn and tobacco farms. Locals also raise livestock for extra income.

Government

Local government

Main article: Sangguniang Bayan

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 Santo Tomas 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

Congress representation

Santo Tomas, belonging to the first legislative district of the province of Isabela, currently represented by Hon. Antonio T. Albano.

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 Sto. Tomas Schools District Office governs the public and private elementary and high schools throughout the municipality.

Primary and elementary schools

• Ammugauan Primary School
• Antagan Primary School
• Bagabag Primary School
• Bagutari Elementary School
• Balelleng Elementary School
• Barumbung Elementary School
• Bubug Elementary School
• Calanigan Elementary School
• Calinaoan Elementary School
• Cañogan Elementary School
• Colunguan Elementary School
• Malapagay Elementary School
• San Rafael Abajo Primary School
• San Rafael Alto Elementary School
• San Roque Elementary School
• Sto. Tomas Baptist Christian School
• Sto. Tomas Central School

Secondary schools

• Biga Integrated School
• Calanigan National High School
• Northern Isabela Academy
• San Vicente Integrated School
• Santo Tomas National High School

References

References

1. "Santo Tomas Executiv Summary 2016".
2. {{DILG detail
3. "Executive Order No. 199, s. 1949". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines.
4. "An Act Creating the Municipality of Mallig in the Province of Isabela". LawPH.com.
5. "An Act Creating the Municipality of Quezon in the Province of Isabela". LawPH.com.
6. "Santo Tomas, Isabela Election Results 2022". ph.rappler.com.
7. "House of Representatives: 19th Congress". congress.gov.ph.
8. "HISTORY OF DEPED-ISABELA".
9. "DEPED REGIONAL OFFICE NO. 02".
10. (January 15, 2025). "Masterlist of Schools".