The place now known as Santa Cruz was the site where Captain Juan de Salcedo landed to get provisions, especially water, on his way to pacify the North.

As soon as they came ashore, his men went immediately to the top of the highest sand dune and planted a big wooden cross to signify the place has been conquered by the white men (like what they did later in Santa Catalina).

This cross is visible to mariners passing by, often describing the place as "Santa Cruz."

It is bordered to the north by the municipality of Santa Lucia and Salcedo to the north, Sigay and Suyo to the east and Tagudin to the south Santa Cruz is politically subdivided into 49 barangays.

Poverty Incidence of Santa Cruz Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Santa Cruz, belonging to the second congressional district of the province of Ilocos Sur, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code.