Santa Maria, Davao Occidental

Santa Maria was created as a municipality of Davao on June 18, 1966 out of 12 barangays and 15 barrios from Malalag, by virtue of Republic Act No. 4743. Basiawan was designated as the municipal seat. On May 8, 1967, the municipality became part of Davao del Sur following Davao's division under Republic Act No. 4867. On October 28, 2013, it was ceded to Davao Occidental as a result of a plebiscite, in which the majority of voters approved the creation of the new province. ==Geography==

The municipality, located on Mindanao Island, is about north-west of provincial capital municipality of Malita and about south-south-east of Philippine main capital Manila. It is also located on the coast of Davao Gulf. The noted feature of Santa Maria is the Mount Monkeyawa, standing about more than a hundred-meter above sea level. And at the foot of this mountain, the Municipal Hall where it is located. Climate {{Weather box Barangays Santa Maria is politically subdivided into 22 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios. • Basiawan • Buca • Cadaatan • Kidadan • Kisulad • Malalag Tubig • Mamacao • Ogpao • Poblacion • Pongpong • San Agustin • San Antonio • San Isidro • San Juan • San Pedro • San Roque • Tanglad • Santo Niño • Santo Rosario • Datu Daligasao • Datu Intan • Kinilidan ==Demographics==

Language and dialects • Tagakaulo - a native dialect originates from the mixture of Bagobo, Mandaya, Davawenyo, and the Lumad peoples of Davao City. • Cebuano == Economy ==

Municipal officials 2022-2025: • Mayor: Claude Benjamin Bautista II • Vice Mayor: Josephine Mariscal • Councilors: • Jestoni Tiwo • Rudy Mariscal Jr. • Lino Solo • Amel Vistal • Lea Abe • Jubane Monsad • Ondo Mangayao ==References==