Santa Elena, officially the Municipality of Santa Elena, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 40,786 people.
History
Sta. Elena before is known as "ILAYANG SANTOL", a small sitio of barrio Pulongguit-guit, municipality of Capalonga, province of Camarines Norte. Residents then were few and far from each other that in cases of emergency a tambuli is used.
The Japanese during the war and then Eastern Tayabas Bus Company played an important role in establishing the access road to the Bicol Region from Manila, now fully developed and known as the Maharlika Highway. Thus, people began residing along the road, converging on and developing it into the poblacion area.
Until in one of their council assemblies, Eladio Borrio suggested to name the sitio Sta. Elena at the same time making St. Helena, The Empress, their patron saint. The motion was duly seconded and was approved unanimously.
Through the concerted efforts of its local leaders, Sta. Elena became an independent barrio in 1948. This was followed by flurry of donations of lots for its development.
Sta. Elena became a municipality on June 29, 1969 by virtue of Republic act 5480 thru the initiative of the local residents, local officials and then Congressman Fernando V. Pajarillo.
A more recent development is the reacquisition of areas from the nearby town of Calauag, Quezon, involving a boundary dispute ruled in favor of Sta. Elena by the Supreme Court in GR-80796 with an area of 8,762 hectares, thus expanding the area and horizon of Sta. Elena for further development.
Barangays
Santa Elena is politically subdivided into 19 barangays.
- Basiad
- Bulala
- Maulawin 1
- Polungguitguit
- Rizal
- Salvacion
- San Lorenzo
- San Pedro 2
- San Vicente
- Santa Elena (Poblacion)
- Villa San Isidro
- Plaridel (Macahadok) 1
- Cabuluan 1
- Don Tomas (Morato) 1
- Guitol 1
- Kagtalaba 1
- Maulawin 1
- Patag Ibaba 1
- Patag Ilaya 1
- Tabugon 1
Notes:
- Barangay acquired recently from Calauag, Quezon, due to boundary realignment from Macahadok River to Tabugon Stream adjoining Quezon Canal in Barangay Tabansak, Calauag, Quezon.
- Former political dispute between Capalonga, Camarines Norte, and then Calauag, Quezon.
Demographics
| Population census of Santa Elena | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1970 | 8,608 | — |
| 1975 | 10,841 | +4.73% |
| 1980 | 13,092 | +3.84% |
| 1990 | 20,105 | +4.38% |
| 1995 | 33,955 | +10.32% |
| 2000 | 37,878 | +2.37% |
| 2007 | 40,300 | +0.86% |
| 2010 | 40,828 | +0.47% |
| 2015 | 40,786 | −0.02% |
| Source: Philippine Statistics Authority | ||
In the 2015 census, the population of Santa Elena, Camarines Norte, was 40,786 people, with a density of 200 inhabitants per square kilometre or 520 inhabitants per square mile.
SOURCE: Camarines Norte Museum Archived Shrine and Curation Division
www.wikipedia.com
