A bill seeking to convert the Municipality of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur into a component city has been filed in the Congress.
“This move isn’t just about a change in status, it’s about attracting bigger investments and delivering better public services to our people,” said Cagas in his Facebook post.
Davao del Sur Rep. John Tracy Cagas, the bill's author, stated the the town's cityhood has been long overdue
“For decades, the people of Santa Cruz have dreamed of this moment. With its rich history as the oldest town in Davao del Sur, its strategic coastal location, and thriving industries like San Miguel Corporation, Coco Davao Inc., Franklin Baker Co., and GSL Food Industries, Santa Cruz has long met the criteria set under Republic Act No. 11683 for cityhood,” he stated.
He also said that the bill will allow Davao del Sur’s oldest town to improve its quality of life.
Sta. Cruz was founded by Spanish authorities in 1884, 36 years after Nueva Vergara (now Davao City) was founded.
In 1949, Padada and Digos was carved out from the town with the latter becoming the capital of the then-undivided Davao Province.
Sta. Cruz is currently a first class municipality and will be the province's second component city after Digos City should the bill be enacted.
