Santa Cruz, officially the Municipality of Santa Cruz (Tagalog: Bayan ng Santa Cruz), is a 1st class municipality and capital of the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 123,574 people.[3]

Santa Cruz
Municipality of Santa Cruz
Municipal Hall
Municipal Hall
Flag of Santa Cruz
Official seal of Santa Cruz
Nickname(s): 
Laguna's Capital, The Heartland of Calabarzon, Santa Cruz the Land of Star
Motto(s): 
Bayan natin, Sama-Samang Unahin, Santa Cruz, Kaya natin to! Arriba Kabisera!
("Our town, let's put it first together, Santa Cruz, we can do it! Arriba Capital!")
Anthem: Himno ng Santa Cruz
Map of Laguna with Santa Cruz highlighted
Map of Laguna with Santa Cruz highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Map
Santa Cruz is located in Philippines
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 14°17′N 121°25′E / 14.28°N 121.42°E / 14.28; 121.42
CountryPhilippines
RegionCalabarzon
ProvinceLaguna
District 4th district
FoundedSeptember 6, 1602
Barangays26 (see Barangays)
Government
[1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorEdgar S. San Luis (Aksyon)
 • Vice MayorLaarni A. Malibiran (PFP)
 • RepresentativeMaria Jamina Katherine B. Agarao (PFP)
 • Municipal Council
Members
  • 1st:
  • Ambiel John C. Panganiban (Aksyon)
  • 2nd:
  • Lea A. Almarvez (PFP)
  • 3rd:
  • Norman T. Tolentino (Aksyon)
  • 4th:
  • Esmeraldo C. De Las Armas Jr. (PFP)
  • 5th:
  • Rizaldy N. Kalaw (PFP)
  • 6th:
  • Mark Anthony P. Joven (Independent, Detained)
  • 7th:
  • Lucena R. Odejar (Aksyon)
  • 8th:
  • Alan T. Pamatmat (Aksyon, Suspended)
  • ABC President:
  • Laura P. Obligacion
  • Calios
  • SK President:
  • Mark Anthony M. Juangco
  • San Pablo Norte
 • Electorate79,938 voters (2022)
Area
 • Total38.59 km2 (14.90 sq mi)
Elevation
12 m (39 ft)
Highest elevation
54 m (177 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total123,574
 • Density3,200/km2 (8,300/sq mi)
 • Households
31,029
Demonym(s)Santa Cruzeño (masculine)
Santa Cruzeña (feminine)
Economy
 • Income class1st municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
9.75
% (2021)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 393.3 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 475.9 million (2020)
 • Expenditure₱ 408.3 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 110.1 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityManila Electric Company (Meralco)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
4009
PSGC
IDD:area code+63 (0)49
Native languagesTagalog
Major religions
Feast date
  • December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception)
  • June 4 (Feast of the Our Lady of Maulawin)
Ecclesiastical dioceses
Patron saints

Santa Cruz is situated on the banks of the Santa Cruz River which flows into the eastern part of Laguna de Bay. The town is bounded by the Bay on the north, by Lumban and Pagsanjan towns in the east, Pagsanjan and Magdalena towns in the south, and Pila in the west. It is 88 kilometres (55 mi) from Manila via Calamba and Los Baños. It is accessible by land from Metro Manila passing through Rizal Province via Manila East Road or via South Luzon Expressway

Santa Cruz is considered as the service and commercial center on the eastern part of the province. The town is composed of five barangays in the Poblacion area and 21 classified urban barangays. Although relatively far from the immediate urbanizing influence of Metropolitan Manila, Santa Cruz continues to progress. It is now classified as first class municipality. The present administration is headed by the Mayor Egay San Luis Sr.. Santa Cruz is also the seat of the provincial government since 1885, giving the municipality an additional administrative function over the entire province. It also functions as the service center for transportation, commerce, health, education, and other social services for the predominantly rural north-eastern municipalities of the province. Boosting the economy of the municipality are the incipient and fast-growing agribusiness industries such as livestock raising, horticulture and aquaculture. The town is composed of twenty-six (26) urban barangays. All barangays are being classified as urban.

The development of Santa Cruz as the administrative, commercial, and service center of Laguna makes it accessible for all private/public vehicles going to nearby places particularly Pagsanjan, Lake Caliraya, Liliw, Paete and Nagcarlan.

History

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During the last decade of the 16th century, Santa Cruz was once a well populated barrio of the present municipality of Lumban, as well as other contemporary towns like Pagsanjan, Cavinti, Paete and Pangil. On September 6, 1602, Santa Cruz separated from Lumban and became a pueblo with its church and local government.

Since its foundation in 1602, the town had been ravaged by calamitous forces such as fires, typhoons, floods and human vandalism during the Philippine Revolution of 1896–1899, the war of the Philippine Independence (1899–1902), Battle of Santa Cruz, the assault of the Tulisanes (bandits) during the Spanish times. The Filipino troops of the pre-war 4th and 42nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and recognized guerrillas also came from the town and was involved in the Second Battle of Santa Cruz on January 26, 1945.

Characterized by fertile flat lands situated along the coastal plains of Laguna de Bay, the economic base of the town had been traditionally anchored on two primary industries, namely agriculture and fishing which still remain up to the present. In view of the strategic location of Santa Cruz relative to the other coastal settlements about the lake, trading activities have likewise rooted on the town during those early settlement days. The town proper which has always been the focal point of activities used to be accessible to the other lake-shore areas due to the navigable Santa Cruz River aside from Laguna de Bay itself. Since those early days, water is the principal mode of transportation.

Today, Santa Cruz serves as the capital of Laguna and is considered as the business and commercial center on the eastern part of the province.

Geography

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Situated at the central portion of Laguna province along the south-eastern coast of Laguna de Bay, Santa Cruz lies 87 kilometres (54 mi) southeast of Metro Manila via Calamba and is geographically located at approximately 14 degrees 17' latitude and 121 degrees 25' longitude. The municipality is bounded on the north and north-west by Laguna de Bay, on the north-east by Lumban, on the east by Pagsanjan, on the southeast by Magdalena, on the south by Liliw, and on the south-west by Pila. It has 26 barangays and covers approximate land area of 3860 hectares which comprises about 2% of the total land area of Laguna Province.

  • Land Area: 3,860 hectares
  • Residential: 381.97
  • Commercial: 35.96
  • Institutional: 92.17
  • Functional Open Space: 31.27
  • Roads: 157.73
  • Total Built-up: 696.10
  • Agricultural: 3,048.57
  • Special Use: 115.33

Geology

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The two types of rocks found in Santa Cruz are alluvium and clastic rocks. Clastic rocks are located at the eastern portion of the municipality specifically in Barangay Alipit, San Jose, Oogong, Jasaan, San Juan, Palasan, and portions of Barangays Pagsawitan, Patimbao, Bubukal, Labuin and Malinao. These rocks consist of inter-bedded shale and sandstone with occasional thin lenses of limestone, tuff, and reworked sandy tuffs, calcareous sandstone and partly tuffaceous shale.

Climate

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Like most areas in the province of Laguna, the climate of Santa Cruz is characterized by two pronounced seasons: dry from January to April and wet during the rest of the year. The municipality has annual temperature of 27.2 degree Celsius and annual rainfall of 1962.7mm. Northeasterly winds with an average wind speed of 9 knots prevail in the municipality.

Climate data for Santa Cruz, Laguna
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 26
(79)
27
(81)
29
(84)
31
(88)
31
(88)
30
(86)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
28
(82)
26
(79)
29
(84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22
(72)
22
(72)
22
(72)
23
(73)
24
(75)
25
(77)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
23
(73)
23
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 58
(2.3)
41
(1.6)
32
(1.3)
29
(1.1)
91
(3.6)
143
(5.6)
181
(7.1)
162
(6.4)
172
(6.8)
164
(6.5)
113
(4.4)
121
(4.8)
1,307
(51.5)
Average rainy days 13.4 9.3 9.1 9.8 19.1 22.9 26.6 24.9 25.0 21.4 16.5 16.5 214.5
Source: Meteoblue[5]

Barangays

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Santa Cruz is politically subdivided into 26 barangays.[6]

  • Alipit
  • Bagumbayan
  • Bubukal
  • Calios
  • Duhat
  • Gatid
  • Jasaan
  • Labuin
  • Malinao
  • Oogong
  • Pagsawitan
  • Palasan
  • Patimbao
  • Poblacion I
  • Poblacion II
  • Poblacion III
  • Poblacion IV
  • Poblacion V
  • San Jose
  • San Juan
  • San Pablo Norte
  • San Pablo Sur
  • Santisima Cruz
  • Santo Angel Central
  • Santo Angel Norte
  • Santo Angel Sur

Demographics

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Population census of Santa Cruz
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 12,747—    
1918 14,156+0.70%
1939 17,649+1.06%
1948 22,534+2.75%
1960 32,850+3.19%
1970 47,114+3.67%
1975 52,672+2.26%
1980 60,620+2.85%
1990 76,603+2.37%
1995 86,978+2.41%
2000 92,694+1.37%
2007 101,914+1.32%
2010 110,943+3.14%
2015 117,605+1.12%
2020 123,574+0.98%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[3][7][8][9][10]

In the 2020 census, the population of Santa Cruz, Laguna, was 123,574 people,[3] with a density of 3,200 inhabitants per square kilometre or 8,300 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

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Poverty incidence of Santa Cruz

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2006
3.40
2009
2.33
2012
5.25
2015
4.57
2018
1.98
2021
9.75

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

Commerce

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The provincial capital of Laguna, Santa Cruz serves as service center of the province particularly for the municipalities on its north-eastern part.

Trade and commerce remain to be one of the primary economic activities in the locality. The presence of jeepney services plying Lumban, Paete, Siniloan, San Pablo, Pila, Victoria, Cavinti-Caliraya, Luisiana, Majayjay, Calumpang, Nagcarlan, Liliw, Magdalena, Pagsanjan, Lucban, Lucena and Calamba has further enhanced the municipality's role as a commerce and trade center.

The center of business activities is in the poblacion specifically at Barangay V where the four (4) buildings of Public Market is situated.

Santa Cruz has many establishment that contribute to its development. Development in this vicinity has been a quasi-residential commercial type as manifested by the proliferation of structures which are used both for business and residential purposes by the proprietors/owners. There is also a concentration of business establishments at the section of the national highway/expressway especially Barangay Gatid where a Mall is located, and the abandoned PNR Railway (road) while a strip pattern of commercial development is noticeable along the Quezon Avenue and along the old highway and Pedro Guevarra Avenue. Along P Guevarra Avenue, several establishments are also located such as Hospitals, Meralco office, PLDT office, Red Cross, several Banking Institutions, and Executive Eminent Lending Company. There is also SL Agritech Corporation, in Barangay Oogong, Santa Cruz, Laguna.

Tax collection

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Annual local government collection:

  • 2008 — 160,196,679.38
  • 2007 — ₱ 135,792,097.46
  • 2006 — ₱ 128,812,429.41
  • 2005 — ₱ 117,351,293.14

Points of interest

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Santa Cruz may not have natural tourist spots and no wide areas to develop but one thing the townsmen of Santa Cruz are proud of are the local foods available in the town. Santa Cruz boasts of the famous white cheese or kesong puti, freshly made from carabao's milk.

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Events

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Santa Cruz hosted the Palarong Pambansa from May 4–10, 2014.[19]

Festivals
  • Kesong puti Festival — April 4–11
  • Anilag Festival — March 8–17

List of Mayors

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No. Name Party Elec. Term start Term end Vice mayor
1 Rufo de Borja
(1930−2014)
Liberal 1965 December 30, 1965 June 30, 1980 Romeo Ramos
Nacionalista 1967 Enrique Bautista
1971
KBL
2 Enrique Bautista
(Born 1932)
KBL 1980 June 30, 1980 May 23, 1986[20] Jose Uriarte
Independent
Nacionalista
Oscar Feliciano[21]
(died 2013)
Independent May 25, 1986 February 1, 1988 Romeo Ramos[22]
3 Rodolfo San Luis
(1946–2009)
Lakas 1988 February 2, 1988 June 30, 1995 Reynaldo Limjuco
LDP 1992 Ruy Lopez
4 Domingo Panganiban
(1948–2021)
LDP 1995 June 30, 1995 November 20, 1995 Narciso Infante
(2) Enrique Bautista
(Born 1932)
Lakas–CMD November 17, 1995 June 30, 1998
(4) Domingo Panganiban
(1948–2021)
LAMMP 1998 June 30, 1998 June 30, 2007 Heidi Ciriaco
LDP 2001 Ariel Magcalas
2004
5 Ariel Magcalas
(born 1965)
Liberal 2007 June 30, 2007 June 30, 2010 Alan Pamatmat
(4) Domingo Panganiban
(1948–2021)
PMP 2010 June 30, 2010 June 30, 2019 Louis de Leon
Liberal 2013
2016
6 Edgar San Luis
(born 1955)
Nacionalista 2019 June 30, 2019 Incumbent Laarni Malibiran
Aksyon 2022

Elections

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2022 Santa Cruz local elections

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2022 Santa Cruz Mayoral election
Party Candidate Votes %
Aksyon Edgar San Luis Sr.
(Incumbent)
33,062 50.97
PDP–Laban Benjamin Agarao Jr. 31,809 49.03
Total votes 64,871 100.00
Aksyon hold
2022 Santa Cruz Vice mayoral election
Party Candidate Votes %
PROMDI Laarni Malibiran (Incumbent) 37,099 59.74
Aksyon Louie De Leon 24,997 40.26
Total votes 62,096 100.00
PROMDI hold

2019 Santa Cruz local elections

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2019 Santa Cruz Mayoral election
Party Candidate Votes %
Nacionalista Edgar San Luis Sr. 25,075 48.09
PDP–Laban Joseph Kris Benjamin Agarao 23,547 45.16
KDP Ariel Magcalas 3,521 6.75
Total votes 52,143 100.00
Nacionalista hold
2019 Santa Cruz Vice mayoral election
Party Candidate Votes %
KDP Laarni Malibiran 23,149 45.38
Nacionalista Domingo "Dennis" Panganiban 15,189 29.78
PDP–Laban Rizaldy "Pasirit" Kalaw 12,669 24.84
Total votes 51,007 100.00
KDP hold

2016 Santa Cruz local elections

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2016 Santa Cruz Mayoral election
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal Domingo Panganiban 32,605 69.07
UNA Ariel Magcalas 14,604 30.93
Total votes 47,209 100.00
Liberal hold
2016 Santa Cruz Vice Mayoral election
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal Louie De Leon 25,836 55.99
UNA Efren Diaz 20,306 44.01
Total votes 46,142 100.00
Liberal hold

2013 Santa Cruz local elections

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2013 Santa Cruz Mayoral elections
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal Domingo Panganiban (Incumbent) 21,770 54.73
Independent Ramon Tan 9,187 23.10
UNA Ariel Magcalas 8,821 22.18
Total votes 41,598 100.00
Liberal hold
2013 Santa Cruz Vice mayoral election
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal Louie De Leon 25,909 71.02
Independent Bryan Lateo 10,571 28.98
Total votes 41,598 100.00
Liberal hold

2010 Santa Cruz local elections

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2010 Santa Cruz Mayoral election
Party Candidate Votes %
PMP Domingo Panganiban 15,908 37.92
Liberal Benjamin Agarao Jr. 13,867 33.06
Lakas–Kampi Ariel Magcalas 12,175 29.02
Total votes 41,950 100.00
PMP hold
2010 Santa Cruz Vice mayoral eoection
Party Candidate Votes %
Lakas–Kampi Louie De Leon 18,315 46.32
NPC Roselon Pamatmat 12,495 31.60
Liberal Alan Pamatmat 8,728 22.07
Total votes 44,091 100.00
Lakas–Kampi hold

Education

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Partial list of schools
  • Santa Cruz Central Elementary School (The Central School of Santa Cruz)
  • Bagumbayan Elementary School
  • Bubukal Elementary School
  • Calios Elementary School
  • Duhat Elementary School
  • Gatid Elementary School
  • Oogong Elementary School
  • Pagsawitan Elementary School
  • Palasan Elementary School
  • Patimbao Elementary School
  • San Jose Elementary School
  • Santisima Cruz Elementary School
  • Santo Angel Central Elementary School
  • Santo Angel Norte Elementary School
  • Santo Angel Sur Elementary School
  • Silangan Elementary School
  • Pedro Guevara Memorial National High School
  • Basic Christian International School and Special Education Center, Inc.
  • ACTS Computer College
  • AMA Computer University
  • AMA Computer Learning Center
  • Capitol View Christian School
  • Immaculate Conception Catholic College (formerly Don Bosco High School)
  • Laguna Santiago Educational Foundation Inc.
  • Laguna Senior High School
  • Laguna State Polytechnic University
  • Laguna University
  • Little Javannah Montessori School
  • Maranatha Christian Academy of Santa Cruz, Laguna
  • Our Lady of Maulawin Educational Foundation, Inc.
  • Philippine Women's University
  • SHARPMINDS Tutorial Center
  • STI College
  • St. Therese Martin of Lisieux School and Business High School
  • United Evangelical Church School
  • Union College of Laguna
  • Southbay Montessori School
  • GOAL-DEN Learners Center
  • iExcel Learning Hub
  • Mind Builders Academy
  • Rabbi Excellent Christian School

Hospitals

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Private Hospitals: 4 Rural Health Units: 2 Government Hospital: 1

Health Centers
26
  • Laguna Medical Center
  • Santa Cruz Laguna Polymedic, Inc.
  • Laguna Doctors Hospital
  • Laguna Holy Family Hospital
  • Jesus the Saviour Hospital

Notable people

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Sister cities

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Route Bus

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  • DLTBCo PITX Metro Manila Skyway SLEX Real Calamba Pila - Santa Cruz plies via To Manila East Road in Siniloan-Santa Maria route or Mabitac Market also it offers plies Town of Santa Cruz to PITX Bay City Metro Manila & Cubao in Quezon City via SLEX North-Southbound Cupang,Alabang toll plaza flyover, Muntinlupa route North-South Bound.
  • Lucena Lines Santa Cruz Laguna Bus Terminal it offer plies route to Pagsanjan, Laguna via East Manila Road & South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) route North-South Bound or Santa Cruz Province Of Laguna West Portion Of Real Calamba Exit via SLEX North-Southbound Cupang,Alabang Toll Plaza Flyover To EDSA kamias City Of Quezon City.

References

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  1. ^ Municipality of Santa Cruz | (DILG)
  2. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d Census of Population (2020). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Santa Cruz: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Province:". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  7. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  8. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  9. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  10. ^ "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  11. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  12. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  13. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
  14. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
  15. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
  16. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
  17. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  18. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  19. ^ "Laguna wins Palaro hosting bid". SunStar. October 24, 2013.
  20. ^ At this time, after the 1986 EDSA Revolution, President Corazon Aquino forced the resignation of all local government unit heads and appointed officers in charge in their place
  21. ^ Appointed OIC Mayor
  22. ^ Appointed OIC Vice-Mayor
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Preceded by Capital of Laguna
1858–present
Incumbent