LAND USE MAP

The Land Use Map of Barangay Sta. Cruz in the Municipality of St. Bernard illustrates a territory deeply defined by its natural environment and agricultural history. The landscape is overwhelmingly dominated by a vast forest area covering 483.39 hectares, which surrounds the central and southern portions of the barangay. Agricultural activity is concentrated along the central corridor, featuring 232.49 hectares of permanent crops like coconut and fruit trees, alongside 15.39 hectares of cash crops such as rice and root crops. Residential life is focused within a small 2.42-hectare settlement/built-up area that follows the main road and river, housing essential community landmarks like the Barangay Hall, Elementary School, and Auditorium.

 

BASE MAP

DRAINAGE MAP

The Drainage Map of Barangay Sta. Cruz outlines the natural hydrological system that supports the area’s extensive forest and agricultural lands. The map features a network of rivers and creeks that primarily flow from the elevated northern boundaries, near Barangay Upper Bantawon, down toward the southern region bordering the Lower Bantawon Relocation Site. This natural drainage system is essential for preventing waterlogging within the community’s settlement areas and provides necessary irrigation for the permanent crops and rice fields located along the central corridor. By mapping these water paths, local planners can better manage flood risks and protect the integrity of the village’s primary land resources.

 

ROAD NETWORK MAP

The Road Network Map of Barangay Sta. Cruz outlines the transportation routes that connect the community to its neighboring regions, including Barangay Upper Bantawon to the north and the Lower Bantawon Relocation Site to the south. The infrastructure is primarily composed of a network of Barangay roads (indicated by solid red lines) that service the central settlement and agricultural zones. This is supplemented by an extensive system of foot trails (indicated by dashed red lines) that branch out into the more rugged and forested areas. These trails are essential for local farmers and residents, providing vital access to the upland forest and permanent crop areas that characterize much of the barangay’s vast territory.

 

LAND USE MAP

The Land Use Map of Barangay Sta. Cruz outlines a future development strategy that balances the community’s residential expansion with its vast natural and agricultural resources. While the majority of the territory remains designated as Forest (489.39 HA) and Permanent Crops (232.49 HA), the plan focuses development along the central corridor. Key features include a slightly expanded Settlement/Built-up area (2.42 HA) to accommodate population growth, and the continued support of Cash Crops (15.39 HA). The map ensures that essential community infrastructure such as the Elementary School, Barangay Hall, and Auditorium remains centrally located and accessible via the established road and foot trail network.

 

LAND COVER MAP

The Land Cover Map of Barangay Sta. Cruz illustrates the geographical distribution of resources and human settlements within the community. The landscape is dominated by forest/timberland, which covers a vast 477.912 hectares, primarily concentrated in the western and eastern peripheral regions. Agricultural activity is centered in the heart of the barangay, featuring 286.888 hectares of permanent crops and 14.906 hectares of cash crops. Human infrastructure is localized along a central corridor, with 3.288 hectares of built-up area and 0.758 hectares of institutional land, all of which are connected by a network of barangay roads, foot trails, and vital water systems including the river and various creeks.

 

PROTECTION MAP

The Protection Map of Barangay Sta. Cruz delineates the specific environmental preservation areas critical to the village’s ecological health. The map primarily identifies Forest/Timber Land (dark green), which covers the expansive eastern and western peripheral regions of the barangay. Additionally, it highlights a Riparian Zone (teal dashed lines) that follows the natural course of the river and various creeks winding through the central corridor. These protected zones are essential for maintaining biodiversity, preventing soil erosion, and managing water quality for the community.

 

TENURIAL MAP

The Tenurial Map of Barangay Sta. Cruz outlines the legal land classification and ownership status across its territory. The community is divided into two primary categories: Timberland, which covers the vast majority of the landscape at approximately 612.096 hectares, and land under Tax Declaration, which spans about 171.280 hectares. The map shows that the Tax Declaration areas are largely concentrated in the central and southern portions of the barangay, while several small pockets are also scattered within the northern Timberland zone. This classification is essential for local administration, as it distinguishes between protected forest lands and areas available for private development or agricultural taxation.

 

LAND USE CONFLICT & ISSUE MAP

The Land Use Conflict & Issue Map of Barangay Sta. Cruz pinpoint specific zones where essential community infrastructure and livelihoods are threatened by natural hazards. The map identifies several flooding and erosion potential areas (highlighted in red stippling) that directly impact the village’s primary Barangay roads and foot trails, as well as various settlement structures. These high-risk zones are predominantly located near the intersections of the river and local creeks, particularly in the northern and central sections of the barangay. By visualizing these overlapping risks, the map serves as a critical diagnostic tool for local leaders to prioritize disaster mitigation and infrastructure reinforcement in the areas most vulnerable to environmental displacement.

 

PROPOSED LAND USE MAP

The Proposed Land Use Map of Barangay Sta. Cruz presents a forward-looking spatial plan that balances agricultural productivity with environmental conservation. The strategy maintains the vast majority of the territory as protected forest and permanent crop zones, preserving the existing ecological landscape while sustaining long-term livelihoods. Key developments in this plan include the strategic placement of settlement areas and institutional zones along the central road network, alongside the introduction of multi-cropping zones to diversify agricultural output. By integrating these diverse land uses with the natural flow of the river and creeks, the map serves as a blueprint for sustainable growth that respects both the community’s historical roots and its future economic needs.