Santa Cruz Town Proposed for Cityhood in Davao del Sur
DIGOS CITY – The province of Davao del Sur may soon welcome a new component city if the proposal to convert Santa Cruz town into a city is approved by Congress. Rep. John Tracy Fortich Cagas of the Davao del Sur lone district filed House Bill 2787, seeking to change Santa Cruz’s status to a city. This bill was officially submitted to the House of Representatives on July 31 this year.
In his second term, Cagas is determined to prioritize this bill, recognizing the potential benefits cityhood would bring to Santa Cruz and its residents. The exact four word keyphrase “Santa Cruz town proposed” captures the essence of this significant development.
Historic Town with Growing Potential
Established on October 5, 1884, Santa Cruz stands as the oldest town in Davao del Sur. It is strategically located, bordered by Davao City to the north and Digos City to the south. The town’s landscape is diverse, with mountain ranges — including parts of Mt. Apo, the country’s tallest peak — stretching across its southern, central, northern, and northwestern areas. Meanwhile, the northeastern, eastern, and southeastern sections feature coastal plains facing the Davao Gulf.
Santa Cruz covers a vast land area of 319.91 square kilometers and has a population of 104,793 according to the 2024 Philippine Statistics Authority census. As a first-class municipality, it recorded an annual income of ₱565.97 million in 2024.
Pathway Toward Cityhood
Digos City, now the provincial capital, originally started as a barangay of Santa Cruz before becoming a town and later a city. Inspired by this transformation, Santa Cruz’s Mayor Jose Nelson “Tata” Sala requested Rep. Cagas to sponsor the cityhood bill. Sala believes that Santa Cruz already fulfills the necessary requirements to become a city.
According to the Local Government Code (RA 7160), a town must meet at least one of these conditions to qualify for cityhood: a minimum local income of ₱100 million for two consecutive years or a population of at least 150,000 within a contiguous territory of 100 square kilometers, certified by the Land Management Bureau.
Challenges and Community Involvement Ahead
Currently, the Philippines has 149 cities classified as chartered, independent component, or component cities. Rep. Cagas emphasized the importance of pushing for Santa Cruz’s cityhood, noting, “The proposal to convert the town into a city has long been overdue, considering that it is the oldest local government unit in the province and a first-class municipality. I must work it out to fulfill the dreams of the people of Sta. Cruz.”
Nonetheless, the conversion process requires several steps. The proposal must undergo public hearings where residents can voice their opinions. It will eventually lead to a plebiscite or referendum, allowing the community to vote for or against cityhood.
Cagas estimates the entire procedure could take around two years before the bill is fully approved and enacted by Congress.
For more news and updates on Santa Cruz town proposed cityhood, visit Filipinokami.com.
