Santa Teresita, officially the Municipality of Santa Teresita (Ibanag: Ili nat Santa Teresita; Ilocano: Ili ti Santa Teresita; Tagalog: Bayan ng Santa Teresita), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 19, 038 people.
Sta. Teresita, Cagayan was formerly Barrio Namunit, the largest barrio of the Municipality of Buguey. It is located about fifteen (15) kilometers East of its mother town.
With the introduction of the logging industry by business entrepreneurs from Manila, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Pangasinan and even as far as Quezon Province, the usually quiet barrio Namunit suddenly became a bustling noisy community in the early 50s. There were 14 logging firms that exploited the accessibility of Barrio Namunit to the rich Sierra Madre Mountain and likewise its proximity to the navigable rivers and the China Sea. Thus, more and more people from these provinces flacked and migrated to Namunit. Some of them go married and stayed for good. Long before the introduction of the logging business, people from Abra and Ilocos Provinces, found their way to this place through the sea in search of fertile soils suitable for agriculture. Ilocano customs and traditions are therefore predominant in the locality.
And on June 22, 1963, Republic Act No. 3728 was promulgated creating the municipality of Sta. Teresita composed of initial nine (9) barangays namely: Alucao, Buyun, Dungeg, Luga, Masi, Mission, Namunit, Villa and Tuyo. It was formally inaugurated as a municipality on August 27, 1963. Barrio Namunit was the set of local government being the most strategic and progressive location. This was later created into two (2) barrios namely: Centro West and Centro East. Barangay Mission is believed to be a place of historic importance, being the landing site of the Spanish Missionaries led by Juan de Salcedo of Spain in the year 1557. The mouth of the Mission River where they entered was believed to be the convergence area from Rio Grande de Cagayan (Cagayan River) to the sea at that time.
(Source: Wikipedia and LGU Sta. Teresita)
DEMOGRAPHY
| Total Population (PSA 2015) | Working Age Population | Employed | Unemployed |
| 19,038 | 13,173 | 6,109 | 6,487 |
INFRASTRUCTURE
| Total Road Network | Existing Internet Service Providers | Existing Water Service Providers | Existing Electricity Service Provider and Capacity |
| 140.992 | Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, Talk and Text and Touch Mobile (TM) | NDA | Cagayan Electric Cooperative (CAGELCO) |
PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLES
| Tricycles |
| 220 |
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
| No. of Remittance Centers | Other Financial Institutions |
| 5 | 3 |
MEDICAL SERVICES
| Medical Services Provider | Category | Existing Bed Capacity |
| Regional Health Unit | Health Center | 4 |
ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES AND BED CAPACITY
| Name of Accommodation Facility | Category | Maximum Bed Capacity |
| Rosal Apartelle | Tourist Inn | 6 |
| Valen Resort Hotel | Resort | 8 |
| Vilma Gampong | Resort | 6 |
MAJOR COMMODITY, CROPS AND/OR PRODUCE
| Major Crops and Produce | Productivity for 2016 (In Metric Tons) | Existing Market/Buyers |
| Rice | 4.5 | Local |
| Corn | 4.1 | Local |
| Vegetables | 2.8 | Local |
MAJOR PRODUCTS
| Product Name | Producer/Processor | Existing Market |
| Rice | Local Farmers | Local |
| Corn | Local Farmers | Local |
| Vegetables | Local Farmers | Local |
EXISTING BIG-TICKET INVESTORS (Asset Size of at least P60 Million)
| Name of Investors | Product Lines | Existing Market |
| Vannamei Shrimps | DATAJ Aquafarm | International |
| Processed Vannamei Shrimps | DATAJ Aquafarm (Processing Plant) | International |
FISCAL AND NON-FISCAL INCENTIVES
| Fiscal Incentives | Non-Fiscal Incentives |
| Tax Incentive based on the paid up capital of actual capital contributions for New Enterprises of the expansion or diversification made by and Existing Enterprise, computed from the date of approval of the application of new or existing enterprise by the Sta. Teresita Investment & Incentives Board as follows: New Enterprise Existing Enterprise Period of Exemption For Corporation 20-50M 10-25M 1 Year Above 50M Above 25M 3 Years For Partnership 10-25M 5-8.5M 1 Year Above 25M Above 8.5M 3 Years For Single Proprietorship 5-10M 4.5M 1 Year Above 10M Above 4.5M 3 Years Qualified enterprises shall be 100% exempt for the first three (3) years from the date of approval of the registration with the Board from business taxes imposed under Municipal Revenue Code of 2014 after which the exemption shall be 50% on the 2nd, and 3rd years. | 1. Subject to conditions set by appropriate agencies of the National Government, permission of employment of qualified foreign personnel where there is a need for the efficient operation of the enterprise or for training purpose or transfer of technology; 2. Assistance in seeking Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and land conversion requirements with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Department of Agriculture (DA) and other agencies; 3. Assistance with the cooperation of the Bureau of Customs the release of imported equipment of raw materials for the registered enterprise. |
REASONS TO INVEST IN STA. TERESITA
| Reasons to Invest in Sta. Teresita |
| 1. Top 13 in the 2017 National Competitiveness Index for 3rd -6th class municipalities in the Philippines on Resiliency, 2. Consistent recipient on the Child Friendly Municipality, 3. Declared as the first Drug Cleared municipality in Cagayan Valley, 4. 2019 SGLG Awardee |
STEPS IN REGISTERING A BUSINESS AND REQUIREMENTS
| No. | Steps | Requirements | Processing Time | Office Concerned |
| 1 | Filing and Evaluation (Applicant submits duly accomplished application form with complete requirements attached for verification, validation and one-time assessment of taxes fees and charges). *Incomplete requirements will not be accepted | Application Form (For New application) – CTC – Barangay Clearance – DTI Registration – CDA (for Coops) – SEC (Corporation) (For Renewal) – CTC – Brgy. Clearance – Prior Year Mayor’s Permit – FS/ Statement of Gross Receipts – Zoning Clearance – Building Inspection – Fire Clearance – Sanitary/Health Clearance (Addendum) – SSS Clearance – PAGIBIG Clearance – Philhealth Clearance – BIR Clearance | 10 mins. | BPLO |
| 2 | Payment | Statement of Account/ Billing Statement, Application Form, together with all the documentary requirements | 15 mins. | Treasury Office and BFP |
| 3 | Releasing | Application Form together with all the documentary requirements and Official Receipt | 10 mins. | Mayor’s Office |
COMPETITIVE/COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES
| Competitive/Comparative Advantages of Sta. Teresita |
| 1. Sta. Teresita is located at the middle portion of northeastern Cagayan which is approximately halfway between the Dugo-Camalaniugan junction and the northeastern tip of San Vicente, Sta. Ana, Cagayan. This location makes it accessible from the regional center of Tuguegarao City through the national highway of Dugo-San Vicente Road (DSVR), or through the Magapit-Mission Road or the so called Superhighway. 2. The municipality can also be accessed easily by its neighboring towns of Lal-lo and Buguey at the southwest bound through the Magapit-Mission Road or the Superhighway. 3. The municipality is also accessible to the Cagayan Economic Zone and Freeport at Casambalangan, Sta. Ana, Cagayan. 4. It has also the Bangalao Lake or the so called Laguna de Cagayan where the Hanguana Malayana or the so called “Bakong Plant”, is located. 5. 118 caves are also located in the municipality. |
AWARDS AND CITATIONS
| Awards and Citations of Municipality of Sta. Teresita |
| 1. 2019 (SGLG) Seal of Good Local Governance Awardee. 2. Certificate of Recognition in fitting acknowledgement and invaluable support and commitment in the Brigada Eskwela of DepEd for 2017. 3. Certificate of Recognition 2011 Provincial Entry for the Search of Most Child-Friendly Municipality and City 4th to 6th class municipalities & cities. 4. Plaque of Recognition is awarded to the Municipality for untiring commitment and efforts in the implementation of different programs in the attainment of the sustainable development goals on health for 2017. 5. Plaque of recognition is awarded to the Municipality for its commitment and dedication in implementing the Community Based Rehabilitation Program and its effort that brought about its declaration as Drug Free and Cleared Municipality for 2017. 6. Plaque of recognition is awarded to the Municipality in recognition for untiring commitment and efforts in the implementation of the different health programs in the attainment of sustainable goals on health, January 2019. 7. Plaque of Recognition is awarded to the Municipality for sustaining the gains of Child Friendly Local Governance for CY 2014-2016. 8. Certificate of Award is given for the Local Government Unit of Sta. Teresita for One Unit Community Fish Landing Project with 3 Unit Freezers and 8 Units Fish Stalls. 9. Certificate of Appreciation In grateful recognition for unselfish support and invaluable contribution to the successful conduct of the 430th Aggao Nac Cagayan Agri-Fishery Livestock Fair 2013 fron June 26-30, 2013. 10. Certificate of Award as First Prize Winner (Arts and Crafts SHOW Case) of the 6th Diwang: SAGISAG KULTURA COMPETITION & FESTIVAL (National Finals) September 24, 2018. 11. Certificate of Recognition is awarded to the Local Government Unit of Sta. Teresita- in fitting recognition for successfully achieving the 2017 municipal target member of Community-Based Skills Training Program under the Barangay Based Scholarship Program. 12. Plaque of Recognition is awarded to Sta. Teresita, Cagayan – for garnering 5th Place (Extra Small Category) in the performance and delivery of Civil Registration Services for the period January to December 2010. 13. Plaque of Recognitions is awarded to the Municipality- 13th Most Competitive Municipality in the Philippines for the year 2017 (Resiliency Pillar) 3rd to 6th Class Municipalities. 14. Certificate of Recognition is awarded to the Municipality of Sta. Teresita, Cagayan – symbolizing the municipality’s commitment towards good local governance and for passing six out of seven Local Governance Assessment Areas for the year 2017 namely; Disaster Preparedness, Social Protection, Business Friendliness and Competitiveness, Peace and Order, Environmental Management, Tourism Culture and the Arts. 15. Certificate of Recognition is awarded to the Municipality of Sta. Teresita, Cagayan – symbolizing the municipality’s commitment towards good local governance and for passing five out of six Local Governance Assessment Areas for the year 2014 namely; Good Financial Housekeeping, Disaster Preparedness, Business Friendliness and Competitiveness, Peace and Order, and Environmental Management. 16. Award is hereby given to the Municipality of Sta. Teresita, Cagayan for being rank 192 overall in the 3rd to 6th class municipalities/cities, rank 168 in Economic Dynamism, rank 161 in Government Efficiency and rank 403 in Infrastructure Pillar in the 2016 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) Survey. 17. Conferred with the 2014 Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance by the Council for the Welfare of Children for its commitment in promoting child’s right to survival, development, protection and participation towards a Child-Friendly Philippines: A Caring and Protective Society For, By and with the Children. 18. Conferred with the 2015 Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance by the Council for the Welfare of Children for its commitment in promoting child’s right to survival, development, protection and participation towards a Child-Friendly Philippines: A Caring and Protective Society For, By and with the Children. 19. Conferred with the 2016 Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance by the Council for the Welfare of Children for its commitment in promoting child’s right to survival, development, protection and participation towards a Child-Friendly Philippines: A Caring and Protective Society For, By and with the Children. 20. Plaque of Recognition is awarded to the Local Government of Sta. Teresita, Cagayan for the outstanding performance in delivering early childhood care and development services at the community level given at the 2017 ECCD Inter Sectoral dialogue cum Partners Recognition Day. 21. Plaque of Recognition is awarded to the LGU in gratitude of its steadfast support and continued collaboration in the implementation of various social welfare development programs and services of DSWD throughout the years. 22. Plaque of recognition is awarded to the Municipality for the outstanding support and commitment to Municipal Leadership and Governance program to achieve better health outcomes for the poor given on 20th day of October at Crown Hotel, Baguio City. 23. Plaque of Recognition is awarded to the Municipality, Provincial Finalist, 2017 Best Assistance to Disadvantaged Municipality (ADM) Project Implementer. 24. Plaque of Recognition is awarded to the Municipal Nutrition Committee for garnering 3rd Place on 2016 Green Banner Award. |
CONTACT DETAILS OF LOCAL ECONOMIC AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION OFFICER/REPRESENTATIVE AND DTI NEGOSYO CENTER JUNIOR BUSINESS COUNSELOR (NC – JBC)
| Name | DESIGNATION | Mobile/Telephone Numbers | Email Address |
| Noli P. Apostol | BPLO/LEIPO | 0917 789 9712 | noli.apostol@gmail.com |
| Precious Mae Quintana | NC – JBC Sta. Teresita | 0951 491 6701 | nc.stateresitacagayan@gmail.com |