Sta. Cruz: The growing industrial haven

Sta. Cruz, a quiet, peaceful and unassuming municipality in Davao Sur. It stretches languidly all its 28,759.80 hectares of vast land with a welcoming landscape that relaxes the eye and awes one’s faith.

Sta. Cruz has the best of both of nature’s gifts, a magnificent view of the mountain ranges capped by the peak of the stately Mt. Apo. 

Being in Sta. Cruz has reminded me of the beginnings of Mandaue City: a small city with the character of country-living considering the strong family ties and well-knit relationships among friends. As a visitor here in Sta. Cruz, I can say I have been welcomed warmly.

The Mayor, Atty. Joel Ray Lopez has shown a zest for development with plans of making this location a home to many promising industries. It is already residence of many leading agro-industrial companies and manufacturing businesses like Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines, Aquamarine Prawn Farm Filinvest Farms Corporation, HEDCOR Sibulan Corporation, a subsidiary of Aboitiz Corporation and San Miguel Brewery Inc.

The municipality also has its own thriving tourism industry with destinations like the Tudaya Falls, a 150 meter drop of clear waters in a 50-meter diameter pool in Sitio Tudaya of Barangay Sibulan. There is also the Sibulan River where White Water Tubing is a favorite pastime to guests who enjoy rafting through the rapids on inflated rubber inner-tubings of tires. Sibulan also opens a trail to Mt. Apo, being at the foot of this large volcano. It is a way to see the wonders there are of the mysterious and breath-taking mountain.

Along the way to Mt. Apo, one passes through the Tibolo Cultural Village where those who are interested in unique cultures can take the Bagobo-Tagabawa Tribe’s practices among their memories. In the village, of our Bagobo-Tagabawa brothers and sisters we can have a fill of the scintillating lights of Davao City at night and enjoy the cool vista of the Davao Gulf.

Sta. Cruz has festivals that show how much the people there appreciate their heritage and the nature that envelope their town. 

Gaining most of its wealth from nature, Sta. Cruz celebrates The Pista sa Kinaiyahan (Nature Fiesta) every last week of April as a tribute to nature. This is highlighted by environment activities such as tree planting and clean-up activities. The Batang Sining (Child of the Arts), continues this advocacy for the environment with theatrical presentations, puppet shows and storytelling, with all the art geared towards encouraging the protection of the environment.

A haven for the artists, Sta. Cruz also promotes creative interpretation of literature through the Tanghal-Tula (Poetry Presentations) workshop, which focuses on performed poetry.

The Araw ng Sta. Cruz celebrates the formation of the municipality every October 5. This is highlighted by traditional festivals. 

The simple life in Sta. Cruz is attractive for investments on medical tourism, eco-tourism, cultural tourism, agribusiness and manufacturing and is fertile for growing export industries on agri-based products.

Investors who may be interested in a community with lush natural resources and a whole array of possibilities, might want to consider checking out Sta. Cruz.