Research Study on Lucapon North Sta.

Cruz, Zambales Culture

Ramon Magsaysay Technological University College of Education Major in Social Studies Second Year

Ronnel Mas Romart Pacifico Elaine Romero Nomer Tandoc Rizalyn Corpuz Regie Anne Corpuz

Carlito Mediario Rofer Jay Ferrer Reynan Mila Jaime Mose Shiela Formanes Joy Abanes

STA.CRUZ ZAMBALES OVERVIEW

KASAYSAYAN NG STA.CRUZ
At the beginning of the 17th century, in the year 1612, the town of Sigayan, now Sta. Cruz, was founded in the Sitio of Tambobong, which is now within the jurisdiction of the municipality of Dasol, Pangasinan.

It is said that when the first Spanish missionaries arrived in the Sitio, they asked the natives the name of the place, but the latter, thinking that the strangers were asking for the name of the shells that were found in abundance on the seashore, answered Sigayan. Hence the name.

The Catholics of the town later built a church which was placed under the charge of Fr. Alonzo de San Agustin. One day, many years later, a Negrito by the name of Ytahat killed the priest whose sermon on the churchs pulpit was mistaken for insults directed at the natives.

This incident forced the founders of the town to transfer the town sitio to another place, the sitio of Salasa , which is now within the jurisdiction of the barrio of

Bayto, perhaps because they feared of further depredations by the savage Negritoes.

This town was named Alinsaog, founded at the beginning of the 18th century, whose ruins could still be seen up to the present. The town site remained in this place until the later part of the 19th century when it was abandoned by thenatives because of the overflowing of the Bayto River which brought death and destruction to the inhabitants. The natives moved to another townsite, the present location of the municipality.

Years later, the people of this town found the image of St. Michael, from among the debris carried by the floodwaters of the Bayto River years back. They forthwith placed a cross on the spot where they found the Holy image on which they built the present church and named the town Santa Cruz.

Another interesting story on the history of Sta. Cruz, Zambales is the Legend of the Golden Necklace. To read more on the legend, download the picture on the right.

Barangays and Boundaries

The municipality is sub-divided into 25 barangays and located in relative distances from the poblacion. The farthest barangay is Babuyan which is 27 kilometers. The 2 islands - Hermana Menor & Hermana Mayor are 10 & 15 kilometers, respectively, away from Poblacion.

LUCAPON NORTH

Relihiyon
Lucapon North Sta. Cruz, Zambales, isa sa mga may malaking porsiyento ng mga katoliko (Catholic) sa bayan ng Sta. Cruz. Ang bawat tao rito ay iginagalang at ipinagdiriwang ang kanilang patron na si Sto. Nio, na kung saan ipinagdiriwang ang kanyang kapistahan tuwing ikatlong linggo ng buwan ng Enero.sinusunod nila ang nakaugaliang tradisyon ng mga katoliko sa pananampalataya at pagdiriwang ng mga nakaugaliang kapistahan. Malaking epekto rin ang relihiyon sa kanilang pamumuhay sapagkat, ito ang kanilang nagiging basehan sa kanilang pang araw-araw na pamumuhay. Sa mga salo-salo makikita natin ang pagkakaisa ng bawat tao, mapapansin rin natin ang kanilang debosyon sa kani-kanilang mga relihiyon.

Kapyestahan ng Barangay Lucapon North

Sa bayan ng Sta. Cruz, kalimitang nagdaraos ng ibat-ibang kapistahan ng Santo. Tulad na lang sa Barangay Lucapon North na dinaraos ang kapistahan ni Sto. Nio na ginaganap tuwing ikatlong linggo ng buwan ng Enero. Katulad ng mga karaniwang kapistahan ito ay pinaghahandaan ng mga tao. Mayroon din silang ati-atihan festival na kinakahalukan ng mga estudyante ng kanilang paaralan. Maraming mga aktibidad na nagaganap sa kanilang kapistahan. Isa na rito ang paglilibot ng Sto. Nio sa buong barangay ng Lucapon North. Tuwing kinaumagahan ng Fiesta sa barangay na ito inililibot ang Sto. Nio sa dalampasigan para sa masaganang paghuli ng isda at paghingi ng gabay sa kanilang patron, para sa mga mangingisda. At pagsapit naman ng kinahapunan inililibot naman ito sa kalsada at maging sa kabukiran para naman sa masaganang ani para sa mga magsasaka.

Edukasyon
Education purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one

Karamihan sa mga Pilipino ang nangangarap na makapagaral at makapagtapos. Subalit ang ilan sa mga itoy walang kakayahan upang

makatungtong sa paaralan dahil sa kahirapan. Sa barangay ng Lucapon North Sta. Cruz, , masasabi kong ang mga tao ditto ay lubos na matiyaga ang mga mag-aaral ay tumutulong sa paghahanap ng trabaho upang matustusan lamang ang kanilang pag-aaral, at upang makabawas sa problema ng mga magulang. Sa aming pananaliksik noong ika-8 ng Abril 2013, marami kaming nakalap na mga impormasyon ukol sa kanilang edukasyon, karamihan sa kanilang mag-aaral ay prayoridad lamang nila ang makapagtapos ng sekondarya sapagkat kadalasang mga dahilan ay mas mabuti nang makapagtapos kahit sekondarya lamang dahil maaari na silang makapag-hanap ng trabaho kahit bilang driver lamang sa mga mayayamang pamilya. Kaya mas malaking porsyento ang nakapagtapos ng sekondarya at maliit naman ang porsyento ng hindi na tumungtong ng kolehiyo dahil sa kahirapan ng buhay sa ngayon.

Kasal
Ang kasal ay isang sagradong gawain,sapagkat itoy nakapaloob sa pitong sakaramento. Itoy tinatangap ng dalawang pusong nagmamahalan na itinadhana ng kapalaran at pinagkakalooban ng Diyos Ama na lumikha sa lahat. Ang kasal ay may ibat-ibang uri. May kasal na ginaganap sa simbahan, sa munisipyo na kung saan pinapatnubayan ito ng isang alkalde, at may roon ding kasal sa kama o iyong walang nagaganap na kasalan ngunit nagsasama sa iisang bubungan. Sa aming paglilibot sa Barangay ng Lucapon North, ay nalaman namin ang ibat-ibang uri ng kasal sa pamamagitan ng aming pagtatanong. At aming nalaman ang dalawang uri ng okasyon patungkol sa kasl, ito ay ang lubot bansal at dise uno. Ang lubot basal ay ang kauna-unahang ginamit bilang uri ng okasyon sa kasal. Ito ay ginaganap ng isang gabi at isang araw. Ang mga ginagawa tuwing unang gabi ay puro sayawan ng mga kaibigan, kapamilya, kapatid at kapuso ng ikakasal. Pagsapit ng kinabukasan, gaganapin na ang kasalan sa simbahan. Pagkatapos ng pagtanggap nila ng sakramento ng kasal, nagkakaroon sila ng konting salo-salo sa partido ng babae. Kasama ang mga ninong at ninang at dito

na rin magkakaroon ng tinatawag nilang sabit-sabit. Ang sabit-sabit ay isang kaugalian na kung saan nagsasabit ng pera bilang tulong o regalo sa kinasal. Ang dise uno naman ay diretsahang ginaganap na mauuna ang kasal sa simbahan bago ang salo-salo. Gaya ng lubot basal ay nagkakaroon rin ng sabisabit. Ngunit amin ding napagtanto na hindi lahat dito ay hindi tumatanggap ng sakramentong ito. Sa kadahilanang wala silang sapat na salapi para panggasta sa okasyon na kailangan nilang unahin ang kanilang kumakalam na sikmura. Kaysaklap isipin na maramingtao ang hindi nakakaranas ng ganitong kaugalian dahil isa ito sa pinakamahalagang pangyayari sa nuhay ng isang tao. Lalung-lalo na sa parte ng ng babae. Kaya dapat ay pinagplaplanuhan ang kasal upang maging handa sa pagharap sa buhay may asawa upang maging masaya ang pagsasama.

Language
Ang tao ang pinakamataas na uri na nilalang ng Diyos. Likas na sa bawat tao ang makipag-ugnayan o makisalamuha sa iba. Paano nga ba nila naipaparating ang kanilang kaisipan sa bawat isa? Ano nga ba ang dahilan ng kanilang pagkakaintindihan? Noong ika-8 ng Abril 2013, sa pangangalap namin ng impormasyon sa barangay Lucapon North Sta. Cruz, Zambales. Nalaman namin na 81.5% sa kanila ang nakakapagsalita ng sambal. Talaga nga namang binibigyan nila ng halaga ang salitang sambal. Dahil sa aming pagtatanong nalaman din namin na ganun nga nila pinahahalagahan ang ating wika dahil kahit bata pa lamang, ay sambal na ang kanilang salita.

TABLES AND GRAPHS

1. Bilang ng mag-anak sa kanilang tahanan. (Lucapon North)

60.00% a.1-3

50.00%

b.4-7 40.00%

30.00% c.8-12

20.00%

d.higit pa 10.00%

0.00% ilan ang nakatira sa loob ng bahay

2. Ang pangunahing hanap-buhay ng mga taga-Lucapon North.

60.00% a. Pangingisda

50.00%

Pagsasaka 40.00%

30.00% Pagbibigay serbisyo

20.00%

10.00%

Iba pa

0.00% Pangunahing Hanap-buhay

3. Ang relihiyon ng mga tao sa Lucapon North.

100.00% a. Katoliko 90.00%

80.00%

70.00%

b. Iglesia

60.00%

50.00% c. Mormon 40.00%

30.00%

20.00%

d. Iba pa

10.00%

0.00% Relihiyon ng mga taga- Lucapon North

4. Antas ng mga nakapag-aral at kanilang mga natapos.

70.00%

60.00%

a. elementarya 50.00%

b. sekondarya 40.00%

30.00%

c. kolehiyo

20.00%

hindi nakapgaral

10.00%

0.00% antas ng pinag-aralan

5. Dayalekto na kanilang ginagamit.

90.00% a. sambal 80.00%

70.00%

60.00%

b. tagalog

50.00%

40.00%

c. ilokano

30.00%

20.00% d. iba pa

10.00%

0.00% Dayalektong ginagamit

Tables
Ilan kayo naninirahan sa inyong tahanan?
Tanong Ilan kayo naninirahan sa inyong tahanan a.1-3 25.9% b.4-7 55.5% c.8-12 14.8% d. higit pa 3.7%

Ilan kayo naninirahan sa inyong tahanan?

Tanong Ano ang pangunahing hanapbuhay a.pangingis b.pagsasa da ka 51.8% 7.4% c.pagbibigay serbisyo 25.9% d. iba pa 29.6%

Ano ang iyong Relihiyon

Ano ang iyong Katoliko Relihiyon

Iglesia

Mormon

Iba pa

26 Percentage Analysis 96.3%

1 3.7%

0 0%

0 0%

EDUKASYON

Elementarya

Sekondarya

Kolehiyo

Hindi nakapag-aral

15 Percentage Analysis 55.5%

18 66.6%

18 66.6%

1 3.7%

LANGUAGE

Ano ang ginagamit mong dialekto?

Sambal

Tagalog

Ilokano

Iba pa

22 Percentage Analysis 81.5%

19 70.4%

6 22.2%

2 7.4%

Climate and Rainfall

The climate in Lucapon North, Sta. Cruz is generally mild and breezy, with winds ranging from 6-8 knots blowing in variable directions throughout the year. In April, June, and July the wind direction is eastward coming from the China Sea. No rainfalls in January and March with very rare showers (0.7 millimeters) in February. From May, however, the PAGASA records some 367.7 millimeters of rain falling in Lucapon North, Sta. Cruz gradually increasing until August which is the typhoon season, recording 7,295.7 millimeters of rain. By July and August, the maximum wind velocity can blow as much as 60 and 54 knots. This, however, are relatively mild due to the presence of mountain barriers, notably the Caraballo Mountain Range compared to the other areas in the northeastern portion of the Philippines.

Flora and Fauna

Forest in Lucapon North, Sta. Cruz are abundant and may be classified as dipterocarp forest, pine forest, mossy forest, mangrove forest, beach type and molave forest. Flora within the dipterocarp forests consist mainly of almond, tanguile, lauan, guijo, apitong, palosapis, and yakal trees. The pine forest contain Mindoro pine (Pinus Morkussi) and Benguet pine (Pinus Kosya, sp.).Igon, Almaciga, and Makaasin are found in mossy forests.

Mangrove forests have bakauan babae and bakauan lalake, kalapini, dulag, baling-hasai, api-api, dauyon-acite, and nipa. aloho, bitaoy, talisay and camachile are beach type flora. Shrubs are also abundant in Sta. Cruz and include perennial plants and plants that live only within one year. Vines are prevalent in the forests of Lucapon North, Sta. Cruz. Wildlife abounds in Lucapon North, Sta. Cruz. They consist generally of wild pigs, wild ducks, wild deers and monkeys.

Minor Forest Products

Certain minor forest products may also be found in Lucapon North, Sta. Cruz. Bamboo of some varieties, rattan, nipa, almaciga, resine firewood trees, buri, ingual, orchids Hingiw, and charcoal are among those which may be obtained from the products of the forest.

Hydrological Resources
No available data have been found on hydrological resources. However, as one goes around the municipality and in barangay Lucapon North,, one will notice the springs and rivulets that cascade down the mountainsides and flows westward to the China Sea, giving fertility to crop lands along the way. Underground sources of water are also available in the plain area of the municipality.

Natural Resources
A total of 27,687 hectares have been declared public forest land. Non-mineral resources such as gravel and sand, boulders, bamboo, and firewood are abundant in

Barangays and Boundaries

The municipality is sub-divided into 25 barangays and located in relative distances from the poblacion. The farthest barangay is Babuyan which is 27 kilometers. The 2 islands - Hermana Menor & Hermana Mayor are 10 & 15 kilometers, respectively, away from Poblacion.

Sta. Cruz. Aside from the coastal areas on the western side of the municipality, some barangays, have fishponds where cultured fishes are raised.

Some of other barangays are Lucapon South, Lucapon North, Naulo, Biay, Lipay, Tubotubo North, Tubotubo South, San Fernando, Sabang, Bolitoc, Bulawon, Lomboy, Malabago, Gama and Pamonoran. In terms of agricultural resources, the whole municipality grows rice, corn, vegetables, mango, mongo, coconut, sugarcane and other fruit trees.

Industrial Zones

The proposed industrial park covers a total area of 887 hectares in a hilly and flat terrain within Barangays of Biay, Bay to, Sabang and Bolitoc and in another site is the proposed reclamation of about 84 hectares of an offshore expanse of the south China Sea along Barangays of Lipay, Poblacion South and Poblacion North. These areas called as ECOZONES were also embodied in the revised Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Zoning ordinance of Sta. Cruz and in consonance with RA 7916, otherwise known as The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, intended to attract or invite foreign and local investors who are in the field of non-highly pollutive industries.

Road Network and Bridges

The' municipality is being traversed by the national highway with a total of 16 kilometers of asphalted road and a total of 16.7 kilometers of provincial roads. The three urban barangays are crisscrossed by municipal streets with a combined length of 18.27 kilometers. A combined length of 166.99 kilometers of barangay roads are also existing linking the different sitios and barangays to one another. There are 10 concrete bridges, 1 bailey bridge, 3 steel bridges and 1 timber bridge

in the different areas of the municipality with a combined length of 777 meters where 7 of these bridges are classified as national bridges.

Agricultural Industrial Commercial Residential Institutional Open Space Others

4,292.00 hectares 18.00 hectares 50.00 hectares 2,750.00 hectares 20.00 hectares 5,402.69 hectares 31,313.31 hectares

Agriculture
The municipality is primarily an agricultural town. It has about 12.27% of the total land area of Sta. Cruz or 5,082.85 hectares that comprise the total effective land area devoted to agriculture where 3,503.85 hectares are planted to palay. This shows that slightly less than three-fourths of the agricultural land is for palay farming, the main agricultural or primary crop of the municipality. Next to palay, mango is the primary commercial crop which gave a big boost in terms of family income. The mangoes in Sta. Cruz are considered the sweetest mangoes grown in the province.

Irrigation Facilities
There are three irrigation systems in the municipality serving the need of farmers on water supply for palay farming and for other crop production. These systems are expected to irrigate a combined area of 2,806 hectares.

Fishing and Aquatic Resources

The barangay waters are the streams, rivers, lakes and marine waters. The territorial jurisdiction of the municipality on this body of marine waters covers the area between two lines drawn perpendicularly to the general coastline from points where the boundary lines of the municipality touched the sea during low tide and a third line parallel with the general coastline and the distance from it is 15 kilometers. This body of water provides a long coastline of about 15 kilometers and along this stretch are four inlets (bangans) which are located in different barangays. There are four main rivers, aside from other tributaries that flow into the China Sea. These bodies of water serve as a wider fishing area in the municipality. In addition to these and with regards to in-land fishing, there are a total of 400.7 hectares of fishpond situated in 12 barangays which are adjacent to one another

Trade and Industry

The Barangay Lucapon Noth Municipality of Sta. Cruz is now considered as a commercial center in northern Zambales due to the presence of different types of business establishments where almost fifty percent comes from wholesale and retail trade sector, a great number of which are sari-sari stores. These are mostly situated within the Sta. Cruz Public Market, the biggest public market in the Province of Zambales whose main building houses a total of 466 stalls. Aside from this, there are two buildings for fruits and vegetables section, and the cake section of the public market. In addition, there is an area designated as hawkers area or an area allotted to transient vendors. Different types of business establishments are also situated adjacent to the public market and along the national highway ranging from agricultural supply dealers, hardware stores, drugstores, etc. Sari-sari stores abound in the different barangays providing merchandise needed for day to day livelihood in their immediate area.

There are also small and/or cottage industries such as ice plant, concrete hollow block factory, bagoong and vinegar making, palay thresher fabrication, fabrication of tricycle's side car, etc. Most of these establishments were organized as single

proprietorship and were not capital nor labor intensive business ventures as some of them do not hire employees but for unpaid family workers. Raw materials used are locally available while their finished products are sold within the municipality and to adjacent towns. Other industrial activities are mostly agro-based like piggery, poultry raising and rice mills.

Power Supply
It is the NAPOCOR, through the ZAMECO I , that provides electric power to all barangays of Sta. Cruz except Barangay Babuyan, an upland barangay and 27 kilometers away from Poblacion. It has a capacity of 20 MVA, providing facilities and services that are quite efficient except for the occurrence of occasional brownouts.

Water Supply - Most of the residents of Poblacion rely from the Sta. Cruz Water District on their need for potable water supply. The source of water of this district are two deep wells located in Poblacion North with a water pump having a capacity of 5 LPS and on a 14-hour daily operating time. It has a 100-cubic meter water tank in Barangay Bulawon. All other barangay residents draw supply their

water mostly from deep and shallow wells, except Barangay Babuyan residents whose source of water is a spring.

Communication
Telegraph services in Barangay Lucapon Noth ,Sta. Cruz are made available by the Bayantel (RCPI) and the Bureau of Telecommunication while the delivery of mails, goods and monetary articles are being taken cared of by the Philippine Postal Corporation. There is a radio communication system used primarily by the different government agencies with one line linking all municipalities of the province and another line connects all barangays of the municipality. A landline telephone system already exists in Barangay Lucapon Noth ,Sta. Cruz operated by DIGITEL providing such services and conveniences of national and international direct calls and other mobile telephone system provided by Smart Telecommunication, Telecommunication. Globe Telecommunication and Sun Cellular

Transportation
Land transportation facilities within the municipality consist mainly of tricycles and jeepneys. Tricycles are mainly operating within the municipality, while jeepneys ply the route of Sta. Cruz - Candelaria - Palauig, Zambales and to Dasol Alaminos, Pangasinan. There are mini-buses plying the route of Sta. Cruz Olongapo City and there are also other big bus companies whose transportation lines extend from Sta. Cruz to Dagupan City and Baguio City, to Tarlac City and Manila, and to Olongapo City and Caloocan City.

With regards to air transportation, there is at present only one privately owned airfield situated at Hermana Mayor Island which is in good condition.

With regards to sea transportation, a construction of a seaport was already started adjacent to the former Acoje Wharf in Barangay Bolitoc to be utilized as support facility to the proposed ECOZONES in Sta. Cruz.

Financing Institution
There are two commercial banks operating in Sta. Cruz, branches of Bank of Commerce and the Philippine National Bank. In addition to these, there are three rural banks serving the need of businessmen, farmers and other groups in the municipality as well as those from other municipalities. The related financing sources are 6 pawnshops which are all located in Poblacion South.

Tourism
In terms of tourist attractions, the municipality is endowed with beautiful natural resources. Numerous scenic spots found in the municipality include, among others, Hermana Mayor and Hermana Minor Islands, Baloc-baloc Spring, Sagrada Familia Cave and Magsaysay Park. In terms of recreational facilities that could serve the need of tourists or visitors for relaxation are several beach resorts located at Barangay Sabang, Bolitoc and Malabago and a number of restaurants and snack parlors in Poblacion and Lipay. A cockpit is also present in Barangay Naulo.

Health Facilities
The municipal government has at its disposal two rural health units at Poblacion North and Barangay Bay to, and health stations in every barangay of the municipality, which are the front-line in the delivery of basic health services. There is also a government owned hospital, the Ospital ng Sta. Cruz which is under the management and supervision of the municipal government of Sta. Cruz. This is a newly renovated hospital offering essential medical services and general medicines. Other health services and facilities include 9 medical clinics, 8 dental clinics and 2 optical clinics, the private sector contribution to the provision of health services.

Education
In terms of school facilities, there are 27 public elementary schools distributed in all barangays of Sta. Cruz with a total of 81 school buildings and a total of 232 classrooms. The total area of public elementary school compound is 23.5 hectares which include 2.382 hectares allotted as playground area.

In the secondary level there are 6 public high schools with a total of 36 classrooms located in 6 thickly populated barangays on a combined school compound of 7 hectares. The lone private high school is located in the heart of the town, in Poblacion South, has 34 classrooms on a 7,480 square meters of school compound which also include 1,531 square meters for playground.

A college institution is already present in Sta. Cruz, the Columban College Sta. Cruz situated in a 6.2 hectares compound in Barangay Naulo. This is a branch of Columban College - Olongapo City.

For those who cannot afford to pursue college education, there is an on-the-job training on different vocational courses being offered through the cooperative efforts of different government agencies, specifically supervised by the TESDA. While education for pre-schoolers is under the auspices of MSWD Office in cooperation with concerned barangay officials and parent's committee through day care services.

Social Services
Social welfare/services provide the backbone of community action to cater to the civic responsibilities of society to its population, particularly the poor. The Department of Social Welfare and Development; Department of Health; Department of Education; Department of Agriculture; Department of Interior and Local Government; and the Local Government Unit of Sta. Cruz, Zambales all join hands in prOViding essential social services. These government agencies are also joined in their efforts by certain private and charitable organizations such as: The Rotary Club (Sta. Cruz Chapter), Catholic Women's League, Knights of Columbus, Iglesia ni Cristo, etc. Who are all working together in implementing worthy community social services which include Community Volunteers Service and

Disaster Relief; Purok Beautification Projects; Social, Cultural and Recreational Activities; and Nutrition Education.

Sports and Recreational Facilities

The most common sports facilities in Sta. Cruz are basketball and volleyball courts. Aside from these, tennis court, billiard hall and bowling lanes are found in the municipality. Also in every barangay there is a multi-purpose pavement which could be utilized as basketball or volleyball courts or for other related sports activities.

In terms of recreational facilities, there is a cockpit in a half -hectare of land in Barangay Naulo, 2 public parks with a total area of 2 hectares, and a number of restaurants and snack parlors in Poblacion and Lipay. Some of these restaurants have a video-oke system as come-ons for the satisfaction and delight of their customers.

In Magsaysay Park in Poblacion South, which is also a tourist spot, you could enjoy a panoramic view of the sunset. Several beach resorts are found in

Barangay Bolitoc, Sa bang and Malabago, eight of which are opened to the public and the others are primarily intended for private use. The fine beach resort is found in Hermana Mayor Island.

Protective and Safety Services

These services playa vital role in providing and maintaining peace and order for all sectoral groups of the community. The police department is manned by police forces with issued firearms of undisclosed number and types. Police equipment includes one mobile patrol car, one motor cycle, a telephone and SSB radio. Complementing these forces are barangay officials and tanods who help in keeping peace and order. Also, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology municipal Office has 4 personnel who are charged for the care and safe keeping of prisoners or detainees. Under the fire protection services are 5 personnel of the Sta. Cruz Fire Station to man one fire truck and who are also issued several fire fighting equipment.

It would be stated that peace and order condition in the municipality is generally normal. This was primarily due to that lawless elements, who are formerly active

and have influenced in remote areas of the municipality have already ceased or transferred their nefarious activities elsewhere. This may have been brought by that they could no longer influence the residents of aforesaid remote areas as they are already satisfied with government efforts of looking into their pressing need and the promotion of their welfare by the provision of infrastructure facilities and implementation of several development programs/projects.

Development Objectives
The general objective is to make Sta. Cruz a progressive municipality in northern Zambales inhabited by socially and economically stable populace. The development plan as formulated includes programs/projects that are viable and responsive to the needs of the majority of inhabitants of the municipality. With regards to sectoral development objectives: the sector on Agriculture covers all business pertaining to and affecting the output and demand for foodstuff, commercial crops, etc. The sector on Health and Nutrition cover all aspects that are directly or indirectly aimed in maintaining the healthy state of the population and feeding them with the right amount of essential nutrients. The sector on Infrastructure takes care of social overhead facilities which provide support

services in the overall plan. While the sector on Social Services, Welfare and Community Development cover activities directed towards the achievement of happiness and wellbeing of the citizens. The other sectors cover human development in the municipality, exchange of goods consisting of exports and imports to and from purchasing and producing regions, and the activities of temporary visitors of the municipality.

Physical Framework Plan

The Municipal Physical Framework Plan contains future major development projects. This is a medium term plan where all proposed projects included therein are capital intensive projects. Notable among these projects are the reclamation project and the establishment of industrial park which are intended for minor and major industries, respectively, and in accordance or in support to the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995. All other projects that are included in this plan are considered as supportive infrastructure facilities for the general welfare or for the social and economic upliftment of the townspeople of Sta. Cruz.

Land Use Plan

The Municipality of Sta. Cruz has already a Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), a revision of the then town plan, that contain policies that would guide and improve the allocation, utilization, management and development of the municipality's land resources to ensure their optimum use under the principles of economic growth and efficiency. It would be stated that important factors were considered in the formulation of said CLUP such as the significant development trends within the municipality as well as in the adjoining towns and subject to the laws, rules and regulations set forth in various Presidential Decrees, Republic Acts and other relevant Letters of Instructions pertinent to land use planning. However, identified areas in the municipality are allocated based on its spatial uses such as: Residential Zones, Commercial Zones, Institutional Zones, Industrial Zones, Parks/Open Spaces, Agricultural Areas, Built-up areas, Forest Zones and other areas which include protection land uses and production land uses, among others.

It is noteworthy to mention that this CLUP is not an executory plan but rather a guide or framework for more detailed planning. It is with this reason that the

Zoning Ordinance was also revised to be in consonance with the new CLUP providing regulations and other conditions on the use of land including the limitation on infrastructure that may be placed thereon.

The creation of departments or offices in any form is dictated by efficiency in the administration. It overcomes necessary not only for the purpose of delineating functions to prevent overlapping or duplication but also to pave the way for specialization for more efficient administration. As provided for under the New Local Government Code of 1991/ local government units shall endeavor to be self-reliant and in addition to the powers/ duties and functions currently vested upon them shall also take charge the functions and responsibilities of other devolved national government agencies or offices for the efficient and effective delivery of basic services and other related facilities.

The organizational structure of the Local Government Unit of Sta. Cruz, Zambales was based on the standards organizational structure and staffing pattern prescribed by the then Joint Commission on Local Government Personnel Administration as amended by RA 6758 (Salary Standardization Law) and further

amended by RA 7160, otherwise known as the New Local Government Code of 1991.

Tourism
Where else could you find the Home of the Sweetest Mango in the World (1993 Guinness Book of World Record), the Fish Sanctuary (a Coral Reef), and the Sagrada (the Familia Sagrada Cave)? Only in Sta. Cruz, Zambales.

In terms of tourist attractions, the municipality is endowed with beautiful natural resources. Numerous scenic spots found in the municipality include, among others, Hermana Mayor and Hermana Minor Islands, Baloc-baloc Spring, Sagrada Familia Cave and Magsaysay Park. In terms of recreational facilities that could serve the need of tourists or visitors for relaxation are several beach resorts located at Barangay Sabang, Bolitoc and Malabago and a number of restaurants and snack parlors in Poblacion and Lipay. A cockpit is also present in Barangay Naulo.