Municipal Profile: Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur

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Historical Development

The municipality of Sta. Cruz was an active participant in the making of Mindanao's and Philippines' histories. From the Spanish rule, to American regime, to Japanese occupation, to independence, to Martial Law, to EDSA \ Revolution, Sta. Cruz' story was intricately interwoven into the country's saga.

This gulf town was originally called "Labo" a Bagobo word meaning "marshland". Labo is situated "between a confluence of two mountain streams where waters were as clear as crystal and was but a short distance from the coast". According to pioneering residents, this place was later called Balalan (this covers the area from Lubo up to Digos River).

Long before the Spaniards came, the "Lumads" or the natives Tagabawa Bagobo inhabited Sta Cruz that was mostly forested then except in the Darong coast where the Davao Muslim Calagans settled. Their respective leaders called "datu" ruled them. Foremost among them were Datus Ali, Malado and Bukina Samal.

When the Spaniard established the Davao Settlement in 1848 that was under Provincia Moro, Datu Bago, a Muslim from Maguindanao tribe in Cotabato ruled the area. The priests and missionaries belonging to the Recollect Order started the evangelization but the Lumads resisted Christianity and it was documented that in 1852 only two lumads in Sta Cruz were baptized. They were Petra Pamansag and Basilisa Agustin of Sibulan. In 1870 the Bagobos had their first chapel in Tuban through the effort of Fr. Marcelino Vivero, a missionary from the east coast town of Caraga, who according to story, was drifted by strong wind to Caburan while sailing during his apostolic work. On his way back to Caraga via the cabecera of Davao, he passed by the coastal villages where banners were staked on the shore to signify "welcome". One of these was Tuban where he stayed long enough to exhort the natives to embrace Christianity. In 1873, Fr. Quirico More arrived in Davao and resumed missionary works down to Darong and as far as Balut Island. In 1882, Fr. Matthew Gisbert, a Society of Jesuits missionary, began a "reduccion" (a resettlement and subjugation area for the natives) in Labo where some 9 Bagobo Datus settled with their families and sacopes.

Records and testimonials are vague on how Sta. Cruz derived its name. According to stories of pioneers, in 1880 the Spaniards planted a cross under a shelter upon their failure to convert the settlers who continued to resist them. They left the place with cursing words "forever the people in this area shall sacrifice in the name of the cross". It was said that several years later, another group of migrants settled adjacent to the cross that is near the present Municipal Hall site and the place came to be known as "SA CRUZ" which means "at the cross".

On the other hand, official records from Manila Archives disclosed how the town got its official name during the Spanish Civil Administration. It was documented that on October 4, 1884, Angel Rodriguez, the Spanish Governor General of Mindanao Province arrived on board the warship "Gardoqui" escorted by a sergeant, a corporal and 12 persons from the capital's detachment. Christian and non-Christians greeted them with banners where the word "Sta. Cruz" was embroidered. The next day, October 5, 1884, Rodriguez blessed the town and thus created "Sta. Cruz of Mindanao".

Darong then became the biggest Spanish Community in Southern Philippines if not in Mindanao. Spaniards who ventured to Davao eventually acquired vast fertile lands, became prosperous and settled in Sta Cruz. Antonio Matute, whose parents owned the Agencia de Emperos in Manila arrived in 1890 in Davao and set up a trading company. He married Sul-len, the B'laan daughter of Datu Cagnap of Saranggani in a small chapel in Darong in 1895 solemnized by Fr. Saturnino Urios, S.J. with Don Damaso Palacios and Don Benito Saavedra as sponsors. He established his ranch and farm in the neighboring Sibulan. His

success served as inspiration for other Spaniards to follow suit and try their luck in Darong. Prominent among them were: the Gutierrez brothers (Restituto- arrived 1904, Domingo-1921 and Manuel-1927) from Santander, Spain who developed 1,400 hectares into coconut plantation and cattle ranch (now owned by Ayala Agricultural Development Corporation, SODACO and San Miguel Corporation); Don Damaso Palacios and his nephew, Don Marcos Saez, also from Santander; Luis Surrochi who settled in Astorga; the Gomezes in Sibulan; Eugenio Aznar in Padada; and Maria Villa Abrille (married to Prudencio Chicote) who bought Patulangon from a Bagobo Datu in 1882.

Other famous families in Sta Cruz during the Spanish regime were: Don Mariano Regino who was given the distinctive "Cedula de Cruz de Plata del Merito Naval" from Madrid's Ministro de Marina in 1891. Also in 1896, Governor General Don Ramon Blanco Y Erenas conferred upon him the "Medalla del Merito Civil" for his contribution in the propagation of Catholicism in the island of Samal, Davao District. Don Mariano was the great grandfather of the Tancontian and Regino families in Sta. Cruz.

During the Spanish period, some Japanese nationals have already established abaca plantations in the municipality.

The Spanish-American War or World War I broke out in 1896 and ended in 1898 by virtue of the Treaty of Paris whereby Spain ceded the Philippines to America. When the Spanish officials left, Sta. Cruz's Provisional Government was entrusted to Angel Brioso, a teacher who for unexplained reasons led the local insurrection. It was only in 1899 that the American forces arrived in Davao.

Three significant events were brought about in Sta. Cruz during the American period. First, a teacher named Orville Wood pioneered education in Sta. Cruz. Second, the Thomasites led by the American missionary Rev. Robert Black, introduced Protestantism and was first to preach the gospel to the Bagobos in Melilia in 1904. Consequently, Melilia became the bastion of UCCP and from it hailed the founders of Brokenshire Hospital of Davao and the Silliman University. Third, the entire Sta. Cruz was surveyed per Cadastral Survey No. 275 paving the way for granting property rights. The first to be recognized by the American Commonwealth to own cadastral property in Sta. Cruz were the families of Lim Juya, Tan Kim Kee and Tancontian. In 1905, Francisco Tancontian bought from the family of Datu Bantang for P150.00 a 100-hectare property, part of which is now occupied by Franklin Baker Desiccating Plant in Coronon.

In 1909, the Robert Black Mission School was established in Melilia. Maximiano Tongcaling became the first Bagobo preacher. Also in the same year, Vandermieren introduced irrigation into his abaca plantation containing 50,000 hills.

According to pioneering residents, the succeeding years saw the influx of migrants from abroad, Luzon and Visayas to the Land of Promise. In the 1920s, General Paulino Santos of the Philippine Army, led migrants from Luzon and Visayas to settle in Mindanao. The first batch was mostly Ilocanos. Property records showed that in 1918, Don Mariano and Dona Josefa Marcos, parent to the late President Ferdinand Marcos, lived and acquired property in Sta. Cruz. Matea Almendras-Ralota, a migrant from Cebu, remarried to Bendigo and became matriarch to a clan of politicians, namely: Almendras, Bendigo, Ralota and Cagas, among others.

The second wave of Japanese migrants arrived. Yoshizo Furukawa came in 1914 and later established plantations of abaca, coconut, maguey and ramie in Darong and Inawayan. Some became tenants in the abaca and coconut plantations of the Diaz family in Sitio Lacube. In 1928, the Vandermierens expanded their plantations into abaca and coconut and in 1935 these were leased to the Japanese. In 1940, S. Schlinger acquired the Vandermieren's plantation and converted it purely into coconut area.

While the foreigners were engrossed in developing their agricultural estates, more migrants from Cebu, Bohol and Iloilo came and eventually settled in the municipality. When the foreign plantation owners left, their properties were acquired by pioneering migrants who made good in Sta. Cruz. The Schlingers sold their property to Matea Almendras. The Reids sold their property in Tuban to the Tan Kim Kee family.

World War II broke out in 1941 and the Japanese Imperial Army occupied Davao. Accordingly, the Japanese firepower was far superior resulting to the surrender of the USAFFE in May 10, 1942. Sta. Cruz's residents evacuated to the mountains and municipal officials went underground. Life during the Japanese occupation (1941-1944) was full of terror, anguish, poverty and physical exhaustion.

When war ended in 1945, Plamin Diangco was appointed as the Philippine Civil Authority Office (PCAO) Mayor.

The territorial lands of Sta. Cruz prior to the division of Davao Province included the municipalities of Digos, Bansalan, Magsaysay, Matanao, Kiblawan, Hagonoy, Padada, Sulop, Malalag and Sta. Maria that used to be its barangays before. Executive Order No. 236 created the municipality of Digos and Padada in 1949. In mid-60s, President Diosdado Macapagal through an Executive Order created the Municipality of Roxas out of barangays of Inawayan, Sibulan, Darong, Astorga, Coronon and part of the Poblacion area up to the Latong Creek. For eight (8) months, the appointed Mayor Higino V. Somoza and other local officials set up the new municipality with Darong as the seat of government but the temporary municipal hall was in Astorga. The incumbent officials of Sta. Cruz led by Mayor Jesus A. Ralota resisted the Executive Order as Sta. Cruz's jurisdiction will diminish. Vice-President Emmanuel Pelaez questioned before the Supreme Court the authority of the President to create municipalities through an Executive Order. The latter abrogated the Executive Order and thus ended the short-lived municipality of Roxas.

Declaration of Martial Law in 1971 by President Ferdinand E. Marcos resulted to the rise of insurgency and Sta. Cruz earned the "Red Area or War Zone" label due to the massive infiltration of the New People's Army. In terms of development, Sta. Cruz had been passive until the town's leadership was passed on to a former school-teacher, the late Alfredo B. Orpilla who became the OIC Mayor after the EDSA Revolution in 1986. It was during the post-EDSA period that the people's movement for peace, the NAKASAKA (Nagkahiusang Katawhan Alang Sa Kalinaw) emerged in Davao del Sur. The support given by Mayor Orpilla and the Provincial Government under the then Governor Douglas R. Cagas was effective in downsizing the insurgency problem.

The Orpilla administration ushered in improvement in infrastructure, basic services delivery and local governance. It also opened its door to industrialization. Significant development was the establishment of the most modern and biggest brewery of San Miguel Corporation in Darong. The administration of the succeeding and current mayor, Atty. Joel Ray L. Lopez keeps an open and supportive attitude towards development assistance of foreign and national agencies including the private sector. His dispensation pursued the municipal development goals not only by building peoples' capacities but also through strategic alliances with various stakeholders.

The municipal leadership has been passed on to several hands since the late 19th century.

Geography

Sta. Cruz is one of the 15 municipalities of Davao del Sur in Region XI. Situated within longitudes 1250 16' 10" and 1250 29' 25" E and latitudes 60 46' 46" and 60 59' 22" N, it is bounded on the North by Davao City; on the East by Davao Gulf; and on the West and South by Digos City.

It is accessible by land transportation vehicles plying the Davao-Digos City, Davao-Kidapawan City, Davao-Cotabato City, Davao-Koronadal City and Davao-Tacurong City routes passing through the 27-kilometer stretch of national highway that traverses its 11 barangays.

From Davao City, the administrative center of Region XI, it is 38 kilometers away or 45-minute ride. It is 16 kilometers or about 15-minute ride from Digos City, the government's seat in Davao del Sur.

Land Area

The land area of Sta. Cruz per Board of Technical Survey and Maps is 27,960 hectares. However, based on the Field Appraisal and Assessment Sheets (FAAS) and Tax Maps of the Municipal Assessor's Office the total land area of the municipality is 28,759.7855 or about 7.31% of the province's area (393,401 hectares). This excludes the Kapatagan contested area.

Among the 18 barangays, Sibulan has the biggest land area of 6,390.6581 hectares or 22.22% of the total land area.

Poblacion Zone III has the smallest area of 105.3148, only 0.37% of the total.

Topography

Sta. Cruz's topography is extreme. Mountain ranges and high relief that include part of the famed Mt. Apo, the highest mountain peak in the Philippines, straddle the south, central, north and northwestern portions of the municipality. The rugged topography of the central area gradually undulates toward the coastal plains of the northeastern, eastern and southeastern parts. Here, settlements sprawl contiguously along the coast of Davao Gulf under the vast monotony of coconut plantations. On the western frontier, a plateau stretches toward Barangay Kapatagan of Digos City.

The municipal elevation ranges from 10 meters to 2,939 meters above sea level (m.a.s.1.). Of the 18 barangays, 7 are uplands, 9 are upland-lowland and coastal and 2 are lowland-coastal.

Meteorology

Climate

Two types of climate prevail in Sta. Cruz. The first type has pronounced dry and wet seasons. Generally the months of November to April are dry periods. Wet season occurs from May to October. This type of climate is observable in the plain and coastal areas. In the mountainous barangays, the fourth type of climate is consistently experienced. Rainfall is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. Most often in these areas heavy downpour occurs every afternoon while in the morning the sun shines.

Rainfall

Although the rainfall observation was in Davao City, PAG-ASA assured that the figures also apply to Sta. Cruz due to climatic affinity of the two areas. The year 2000 recorded the highest monthly average rainfall of 196 mm. while the lowest, 112.18 mm. was in 1998. However, the highest amount of rainfall was recorded in October 1977 with 449.3 millimeters and the lowest was in March 1998 with 7.1 millimeters only. Apparently, rainfall is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year in Sta. Cruz except in the months of April and December.

Temperature

The mean annual temperature in the 6-year period just hovered within the range of 27.2 0C - 28 0C. The lowest was in 1990 at only 27.2 0C and the highest was in 1998 at 28 0C. Very slightly, temperature drops in the months of November to February.

Wind Direction

From 1997 to 2002 the prevailing wind direction and average velocity was recorded by PAG-ASA to reveal three prevailing patterns. January to April, the wind blows in northeast direction at a minimum wind velocity of 2 meters/second (mps) and maximum of 3 mps. From May to October the direction is toward the South at 1 mps minimum to 2 mps maximum. November to December, the wind blows toward the North at a minimum speed of 2 mps and maximum of 3 mps.

Fortunately, Davao Gulf municipalities of which Sta. Cruz is one, are outside the typhoon belt. However, flash floods occasionally occur during heavy rain.

Relative Humidity

Average relative humidity was highest in 1999-2000 at 82% and lowest in 1998 at 78%. A slight pattern of low humidity is observed between March and June.

Resources

Agriculture

Among agricultural crops, coconut leads in production followed by banana and sugarcane. Other major crops are corn, coffee and vegetables. The municipality also produces high value fruits like mango, lanzones and durian. Cattle leads in livestock production.

Fisheries

The 24-kilometer long coastline of Sta. Cruz which forms part of the Davao Gulf provides a rich fishing grounds and is suitable for aquaculture.

Mineral

Deposits of sulfur ore, rock phosphate, guano, limestone and cement raw materials were also traced but still have to be tapped for commercial and industrial uses.

Forestry

Tropical evergreen and other timber cover the vast timberland and forest area. Rattan, bamboo and other vines are also in abundance.

Hydrology and Forest Resources

Sta. Cruz has seven (7) rivers, namely: Baracatan, Baruring, Sibulan, Pilan, Tagabuli, Tuban and Coronon. The heaviest volume of run-off is in Sibulan while Coronon River is almost dried up during dry season. Tributaries of these rivers are the 49 creeks that originate from 52 springs. All of these drain to Davao Gulf. (Annex 1.1 and Figure 12)

The upstream portion of the municipal watershed particularly towards Mt. Apo is relatively wooded by more or less 127 species of forest trees resulting to abundant aquifer. This is one resource that attracted the San Miguel Corporation to set up a Brewery, a water-based industry in Darong. As of 2000, the Davao Brewery operation consumed around 425,385 cubic meters of raw water to produce its beer product for the same year.

The Bureau of Mines and Geo-Science Services (BMGS) geological investigation in 1990 found out a positive reserve of sulfur ore (elemental) at 86,400 m.t. in Mt. Apo National Park. In Saliducon, rock phosphate with a probable reserve of 1,000 metric tons and raw materials for cement are subject to investigation. Guano had been extracted in Saliducon with an estimated reserve range of 10,000-25,000 kilograms. Limestone ore reserves for agro-industrial use are present in Tagabuli. However, until this date no further exploration or investigation has been conducted by the BMGS.

The upstream portion of the municipal watershed particularly towards Mt. Apo is relatively wooded by more or less 127 species of forest trees resulting to abundant aquifer. This is one resource that attracted the San Miguel Corporation to set up a Brewery, a water-based industry in Darong. As of 2000, the Davao Brewery operation consumed around 425,385 cubic meters of raw water to produce its beer product for the same year.

Per record of the same office, it was reported that Coronon has a total reserve of 960,000 metric tons of sand and gravel. Boulders strewn all over as a result of volcanic action in the past are now being crushed as aggregates and sold as construction material. Two operators were given permits to quarry sand, gravel, and boulders in Pilan River, between Sinoron and Zone II. Legaspi Concrete Products operates the crushing site in Zone IV and Horizon Aggregates, Inc. in Coronon.

Fishery and Aquatic Resources

Aside from Mt. Apo that was proclaimed as NIPAS, Sta. Cruz is also part of the Davao Gulf eco-system. It has eleven barangays with wide coastal areas, namely: Inawayan, Darong, Astorga, Coronon, Zone I, Zone II, Zone III, Zone IV, Tuban, Tagabuli and Bato. Its shoreline is 24.8 kilometers and the municipal water is 37,200 hectares.

Seagrass area was estimated at about 140 hectares, 70% of which are abundantly growing in Bato waters with eel grass as common specie.

Mangrove area is 124 hectares with "bakhaw, pagatpat, potutan and tangal" (Rhizopora spp... and Sonneratia spp...) as dominant species. These are found mostly in Tuban and Bato areas.

Remaining coral cover is about 134 hectares classified as branching, table, brain and soft corals. Bato has vast area of coral reef and sea grasses where underwater activities like snorkeling and scuba diving can be conducted. The presence of 2.5-hectare Pasig islet is also potential for seascape tour where migratory birds seek refuge on certain season of the year.

Remaining coral cover is about 134 hectares classified as branching, table, brain and soft corals. Bato has vast area of coral reef and sea grasses where underwater activities like snorkeling and scuba diving can be conducted. The presence of 2.5-hectare Pasig islet is also potential for seascape tour where migratory birds seek refuge on certain season of the year.

Utilities

Power Supply

The National Power Corporation through the Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative (DASURECO) provides reliable power supply for Sta. Cruz. The Mindanao Grid with installed capacity of 150 MW is the main source of power backed up by the Mt. Apo Geothermal Power Plant which augments the present power capacity and meet industrial needs.

Telecommunications

The DOTC-Telecommunications Office provides telecommunication facilities with access to both domestic and international lines. Globe, Smart and Sun cellular mobile phone systems also serve the area. Cable television network also operates in Sta. Cruz while the government provides postal and telegraph services.

Water Supply

Springs and underground sources provide water in the area suitable for domestic, commercial and industrial uses. The Local Government Unit is operating an Urban Water ans Sanitation System which is a joint partnership between the LGU and a private company.

Transportation

Air and water transport is accessible in the area through the international air and sea ports located in Davao City and General Santos City. Traveling overland is catered to by the Sta. Cruz Overland Transport Terminal. Concrete-paved national highway runs along Sta. Cruz connecting Davao City and General Santos and adjacent provinces like South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and Cotabato Province.

AGRI-BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

Cottage Industry

There are 18 cottage industries located in the different barangays, the nature of these mostly reflect the type of raw materials that are abundant in the area. Where there are romblon plants, mats and bags are woven. Nipa groves in Astorga, Inawayan, Tuban and Zone I are made into shingles while coconut leaves are made into thatches for roof materials. Broomsticks are also made out of coconut. Salted entrails of tuna fish called "dayok" are sold in Zone III. Other cottage industries are, hand-woven crafts, leather products, bags, slippers/sandals, furniture, basket, woodcrafts, "ampao", candle, curtain, hollow blocks, pillow and pillowcases.

Women in the barangays operate their individual micro-economic enterprises. Association-based enterprises like the Matutungan Mat-Weavers Association in Matutungan, the Bangsamoro Women Association in Darong and the Candle-Making Association in Zone III are being assisted by the Provincial Agri-Industrial Center (PAIC) Office of Sta. Cruz, the provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the San Miguel Corporation through the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). A small-scale hand-woven crafts producing gift-toys-household (GTH) items owned by Tionko family, is operating in Astorga.

Some of these products like mats and romblon bags are now for export to Japan while others are marketed locally. Other buyers come to the areas, some waited for items to be brought to them while others buy it in the market place. Depending on the product, the local markets are Sta. Cruz, Digos, General Santos City, Kidapawan City, Lanao, Iligan City in Southern and Central Mindanao; Toril, Davao City, Panabo City, Tagum City and Mawab in Southeastern Mindanao; and Manila.

Agri-Business /Agri-Industrial/ Industrial Establishments

As of 2001, a total of twenty-eight (28) agri-business, agri-industrial and industrial establishments have located in Sta. Cruz occupying a total area of 2,033.5086 hectares.

Classified under agri-business are: Ayala Agricultural Development Corporation producing cattle, bamboo, coconut and related products in 707.1766 hectares; Aquamines and Prawn Farm involve in milkfish and prawn culture in 12 hectares; Aquamines coconut plantation of 45.6272 hectares; Filinvest Sugarcane Plantation cultivating sugarcane in 348 hectares; Alegre Farms producing cattle and coconut in 33.8 hectares; SODACO Farms producing cattle & tropical fruits in 383.8383 hectares; the Tan Kim Kee Estate producing cattle and coconut in 219.5162 hectares property; the Almendras Estate has an actual 103 hectares cultivated into mango, corn and banana plantations in West Astorga; the five (5) individual poultry farms located in barangays Darong, Tuban and Bato with a total of 10.1000 hectares and the CARP beneficiaries of the Almendras Estate have 27 hectares planted to coconut and banana.

The eight (8) agri-industrial establishments are the Franklin Baker Company, and Coco Davao Incorporated that processes desiccated coconut; GSL Food Enterprises, into banana chips processing; Pontmain Resources, maker of coco coir; BB-Fred and Aries BL, into extraction of coconut white meat; the Seorita Piggery and Feed Mill and the SODACO Dairy and Meat Processing, all occupying an aggregate area of 95.5858 hectares.

The six (6) industrial companies are the San Miguel Corporation that brews beer; Pryce Gases and Refilling Plant, that supplies LPG; Horizon Aggregates and Legaspi Concrete Products that crushes aggregates; and Adhi Lao Pre-cast Company that is into pre-casting of construction materials, (the latter's constructiom was however suspended as of this writing); the TNP Rubber Processing (which temporarily closed operation in mid-2002), all with a total area of 47.8645 hectares. These industries are located in Darong, Astorga, Coronon, and Zone IV.

Tourism

Tourism Development Direction

A famous competitive tourism destination in Southern Mindanao where eco-cultural and adventure tourism are properly managed and environmental protection is sustained through the partnership of the private sector and the government.

Programs

Development of eco-cultural tourism model on environmental stewardship Preservation of cultural heritage of the municipality through the establishment of community museum Development of support infrastructure and facilities Development of tourism-related crafts Development of tourism culture Development of marketing and promotion strategies

Tourism destinations/attractions

Sibulan - Mount Apo Trail

History revealed that the year 1880 marked the first successful climb to Mount Apo through the Sibulan Trail of Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur by a group led by Don Joaquin Rajal. Trekking along the trail will be higlighted with an assault via Boulder Face going to the summit of the country's highest peak.

Sibulan River White Water Tubing

Tubing along the rapids of Sibulan River using inflated tubes of rubber tires will drive one's adrenalin rush to the limits with the strong water current of the Sibulan River.

Tibolo Cultural Village

Learn the unique culture of the indigenous Bagobo-Tagabawa Tribe and enjoy the view of the entire Mt. Apo landscape and overlooking scenery of Davao City and Davao Gulf.

Bato and Tagabuli Seascape

Pasig Islet in Bato and the Tagabuli Sea Rock Garden offer white sand beaches ideal fokr island hopping, scuba diving and fishing while giving you a view of the symbiotic relationship of the ecosystemin the highlands down to the coastal system.

Events and Festivals

Pista sa Kinaiyahan. A yearly activity conducted every last week of April as a tribute to the Mother Nature through tree-growing, cleanup activities and Boulder Face challenge.

Araw ng Santa Cruz. It is celebrated every October 5 in commemoration of the legal creation of the municipality in 1884. Highlights include parades, field demonstrations, trade fairs, carnivals and traditional festivities.

Sinabbadan Festival. A festival of ethnic ritual and dances celebrated every September.

Resorts and facilities

Balay ni Ni Nonoy Pension House. Bernadette Snack Inn and Resto Bar Crash Landing Resort El Grande Travel and Tours Municipal Training Center My Paradise Beach Resort Tabing Dagat Resto Tajos Beach Resort Talisay Seafood Houses Carlo Angel Traveler's Inn Habra Covina Restaurant

Investment Destinations

Competitive Advantages

It is strategically located between two growth centers, Davao City and General Santos City, and is traversed by the National Highway serving the Southern Mindanao Development Corridor.

Infrastructure and utilities needed for industrialization are in place like roads and bridges, power, water supply and telecommunications.

It has sustainable water supply from spring and underground sources suitable for domestic, commercial and industrial uses.

It has vast fertile agricultural lowlands available for agricultural production. Sta. Cruz area is relatively peaceful which has been stabilized with the Mindanao Peace Process.

Priority Investment Areas

1. Agri-based Industries o Food and beverages such as brewing, fruit processing, meat and poultry processing, coffee processing,

manufacturing of liquor and fermented beverages, milk and dairy products o Drugs and medicine such as manufacturing of medicines derived indigenous plants which maybe integrated

with herbal plantations o Fishery and aquatic products like fish processing and canning

2. Tourism and Recreation facilities such as but not limited to hotels, beach and mountain resorts, parks and wildlife facilities

3. Light manufacturing industries like coco coir processing, organic fertilizer production, feed milling, textiles and garments production, electronics, salt processing

4. Packaging industries like glass plants, metal closure plants, carton plants, plastic shell moulding plants, bagging facilities, gas refilling and distribution, sack and bag manufacturing

5. Property development and construction like industrial estate development, commercial and residential area development, foundry and steel fabrication, construction materials and services

6. Transhipment infrastructure such as port development, warehousing, cold storage and ice plant, bonded warehousing

Investment Incentives

In addition to the national incentives provided by law, Sta. Cruz offers fiscal incentives to registered and qualified enterprises in the form of:

Business Tax Holidays Non-fiscal incentives

Investor Assistance

One-Stop Information and Investor Assistance Site Identification Government Regulations Facilitation an Documentation Project Launching Incentives Availment

Existing Industries

Franklin Baker Company of the Phils - established in 1968 and produces 20-25 million pounds of desiccated coconut annually

Aquamines Prawn Farm - operates a large brackishwater fishpond in Barangay Inawayan Ayala Agricultural Development Corporation - into coconut plantation and cattle production Coco Davao, Inc. - manufactures desiccated coconut for export Filinvest Farms Corporation - into sugarcane plantation GSL Food Enterprises - a prime producer of banana chips for export HEDCOR Sibulan Corporation - a subsidiary of Aboitiz Corporation which is into the development of a four-billion

hydro-electric power plant Maharlika Agro-Marine Ventures Corporation - a new producer of poultry products Pontmain Resources, Inc. - into coco coir processing producing coco fiber and peat, geotextiles, and bio-logs

Pryce Gases, Inc. - into LPG refilling and distribution San Miguel Brewing Philippines, Inc. - operates the most modern beer manufacturing plant in Asia San Miguel Beverage Packaging Specialists, Inc. - into polyethylene beverage packaging located within the San

Miguel Industrial Estate Senorita Farms - engages in large-scale hog-raising project SODACO Farms - engages in cattle and dairy production, and durian plantation Queen's Delight - engages in the manufacturing of Catsup, Soy Sauce and Vinegar Tagum Rural Bank Sta. Cruz Branch CJ TOYOTA TSUSHU Philippines, Inc. - manufactures Xylose, a food sweetener extracted from Coco Shell Prime Xynergies Food Corp - a producer of Banana Chips International Pipes Industries Corp - into fabrication of Steel Pipes

Sources of information and images: http://www.stacruz.gov.ph/