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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Oas, Albay

Oas, officially the Municipality of Oas (Central Bikol: Banwaan kan Oas; Filipino: Bayan ng Oas), is a municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 66,084 people.

Etymology

There are two stories that purport to tell the origin of the name of Oas:

a) There is a dam across the narrowest portion of a local river. This dam solely irrigates the vast fields of the place including those of the nearby town of Libon and results in a good harvest. People are wary of any cracks or leaks on the dam walls during months of heavy rains. A crier would shout nawaswas, giving the call to the people (in times of this kind of emergency) for immediate action in groups. From then on, the natives coined this name for the place and later shortened it to present form.

b) Early Spanish colonizers reaching this particular section of the Bicol Peninsula asked the name of the place from the about 600 natives living there, "Como se llama este sitio?" The natives mistakenly thought the question to be "Onan kading lugar kadi, maiwas?" ("What place is this, it's very big?") in their native language. In response, the natives answered, "Si, señores. Labi nikading iwas. Labi nikading iwas." ("Yes, sirs, this is grand and spacious".) From then on the early Spanish colonizers adopted in their official census the existence of "a rich fertile valley with verdant fields of grain" which is the little town of Oas in Bicol.

History

Foundation

Oas was founded during the early Spanish colonization of the Bicol Peninsula. In 1605, Father Baltazar de los Reyes converted 12 leading natives of the area to Christianity in one day, forming the foundation of the community now known as Oas.

During the Marcos dictatorship

The town was one of the localities particularly harmed by the Dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos; in the waning days of the dictatorship, Oas was hit by a series of political killings targeting those who dared to speak out against the abuses of the Military and against Ferdinand Marcos.

The most prominent of the victims was Clemente Ragragio, the municipal sanitation inspector of Ligao who was later also assigned to Oas. Known for his effectiveness, he had been awarded the 1983 Best Sanitary Inspector for Albay. However, this led the dictatorship's local administrators suspecting him of being a rebel sympathizer, because his close relationship with locals in far-flung barangays allowed him to move around fearlessly, and because he expressed disagreements with the dictatorship's governance. A killer shot him three times in front of his house in the early evening of August 21, 1985, and the government did not investigate his murder. He was later honored by having his name inscribed on the wall of remembrance at the Philippines' Bantayog ng mga Bayani (lit. Monument of Heroes), which honors the martyrs and heroes who fought to restore democracy in the wake of the Marcos dictatorship.

Recent history

Oas has been in the news several times in recent years due to the achievements of its outstanding citizens, notably chess prodigy Bince Rafael Operiano who topped the under-10 age category at the 6th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship in Bangkok in 2022, and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray whose maternal lineage has its roots in Oas.

Geography

Oas is located at 13°15′32″N 123°29′43″E / 13.2589°N 123.4953°E / 13.2589; 123.4953.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 263.61 square kilometres (101.78 sq mi) constituting 10.23% of the 2,575.77-square-kilometre- (994.51 sq mi) total area of Albay.

Oas is 32 kilometres (20 mi) from Legazpi City and 495 kilometres (308 mi) from Manila.

Barangays

Oas is politically subdivided into 53 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.


PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2020 2010
050512001 Badbad 0.9% 622 583 0.65%
050512002 Badian 4.1% 2,681 2,348 1.33%
050512003 Bagsa 1.3% 862 764 1.21%
050512004 Bagumbayan 1.3% 879 1,018 −1.46%
050512005 Balogo 7.9% 5,236 3,897 3.00%
050512008 Banao 0.7% 470 562 −1.77%
050512009 Bangiawon 1.4% 910 785 1.49%
050512011 Bogtong 0.6% 367 351 0.45%
050512010 Bongoran 2.7% 1,816 1,741 0.42%
050512012 Busac 3.1% 2,079 1,939 0.70%
050512013 Cadawag 0.7% 485 427 1.28%
050512014 Cagmanaba 5.0% 3,305 3,039 0.84%
050512015 Calaguimit 1.3% 867 865 0.02%
050512016 Calpi 2.0% 1,335 1,224 0.87%
050512017 Calzada 1.4% 911 1,029 −1.21%
050512018 Camagong 1.8% 1,167 1,146 0.18%
050512019 Casinagan 0.9% 617 530 1.53%
050512020 Centro Poblacion 0.3% 225 277 −2.06%
050512021 Coliat 1.1% 723 717 0.08%
050512022 Del Rosario 1.1% 733 624 1.62%
050512023 Gumabao 1.2% 793 865 −0.87%
050512024 Ilaor Norte 2.3% 1,495 1,525 −0.20%
050512025 Ilaor Sur 3.3% 2,202 2,275 −0.33%
050512026 Iraya Norte 3.0% 1,982 1,909 0.38%
050512027 Iraya Sur 1.2% 779 711 0.92%
050512028 Manga 3.5% 2,322 2,146 0.79%
050512029 Maporong 1.8% 1,184 1,107 0.67%
050512030 Maramba 5.0% 3,301 3,114 0.58%
050512032 Matambo 0.7% 489 435 1.18%
050512033 Mayag 0.7% 452 507 −1.14%
050512034 Mayao 2.4% 1,618 1,514 0.67%
050512031 Moroponros 0.5% 357 283 2.35%
050512035 Nagas 2.5% 1,631 1,665 −0.21%
050512037 Obaliw-Rinas 2.3% 1,504 1,401 0.71%
050512038 Pistola 1.7% 1,135 1,101 0.30%
050512039 Ramay 1.1% 734 724 0.14%
050512040 Rizal 1.3% 864 892 −0.32%
050512041 Saban 2.9% 1,908 1,875 0.17%
050512042 San Agustin 1.9% 1,285 1,240 0.36%
050512043 San Antonio 1.4% 939 938 0.01%
050512044 San Isidro 2.3% 1,529 1,400 0.89%
050512045 San Jose 1.1% 744 759 −0.20%
050512046 San Juan 2.3% 1,503 1,390 0.78%
050512047 San Miguel 1.2% 772 792 −0.26%
050512036 San Pascual (Nale) 1.3% 841 743 1.25%
050512049 San Ramon 2.6% 1,710 1,657 0.32%
050512050 San Vicente (Suca) 1.4% 938 1,046 −1.08%
050512056 Tablon 1.4% 940 903 0.40%
050512051 Talisay 1.2% 777 693 1.15%
050512052 Talongog 1.8% 1,198 1,144 0.46%
050512053 Tapel 2.7% 1,810 1,371 2.82%
050512054 Tobgon 2.5% 1,649 1,517 0.84%
050512055 Tobog 2.0% 1,313 1,277 0.28%
Total 66,084 64,785 0.20%

Climate

Climate data for Oas, Albay
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 27
(81)
28
(82)
29
(84)
31
(88)
31
(88)
30
(86)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
28
(82)
29
(84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22
(72)
22
(72)
22
(72)
23
(73)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
24
(75)
23
(73)
23
(73)
24
(75)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 55
(2.2)
36
(1.4)
45
(1.8)
42
(1.7)
114
(4.5)
184
(7.2)
245
(9.6)
224
(8.8)
238
(9.4)
171
(6.7)
130
(5.1)
94
(3.7)
1,578
(62.1)
Average rainy days 13.0 9.5 11.8 12.7 21.3 25.3 28.3 26.5 26.4 24.2 19.9 16.1 235
Source: Meteoblue

Demographics

Population census of Oas
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 11,393—    
1918 16,488+2.49%
1939 23,131+1.63%
1948 27,824+2.07%
1960 36,095+2.19%
1970 47,952+2.88%
1975 50,293+0.96%
1980 52,269+0.77%
1990 53,061+0.15%
1995 56,536+1.20%
2000 62,063+2.02%
2007 63,888+0.40%
2010 64,785+0.51%
2015 67,960+0.92%
2020 66,084−0.55%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

In the 2020 census, Oas had a population of 66,084. The population density was 250 inhabitants per square kilometre (650/sq mi).

Economy

Poverty incidence of Oas

10
20
30
40
50
2006
48.40
2009
42.93
2012
36.30
2015
31.79
2018
34.21
2021
31.38

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Government

Elected officials

2022–2025 Oas Municipal Officials
Position Name Party
Mayor Domingo R. Escoto, Jr. ‹› PDP
Vice Mayor Hector R. Loyola + PDP
Councilors Atty. Sharon R. Escoto + PDP
Arvin Gregg R. Ricarte + Independent
Leopoldo R. Zaragoza ‹› PDP
Jesus “Boy” R. Reario, II ‹› Aksyon
Noel D. Brijuega + PDP
Henry R. Raposon ‹› Aksyon
Gader B. Rellama ‹› PDP
Robert N. Arevalo + PDP
Ex Officio Municipal Council Members
ABC President Joseph Rentosa (San Isidro) Nonpartisan
SK Federation President Kyle Escalada (Rizal) Nonpartisan
Legend
  1. A + indicates that the official is elected for the first term
  2. A indicates that the official is re-elected to a higher position
  3. A ‹› indicates that the official is re-elected to the same position

Past Municipal Administrators

Notable personalities

References

  1. ^ Municipality of Oas | (DILG)
  2. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. ^ Census of Population (2020). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  5. ^ "Martyrs & Heroes: Clemente Ragragio". Bantayog ng mga Bayani. June 26, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  6. ^ Abergos, Althea (November 2, 2016). "Ode to the Faceless". The Pillars: The Official Student Publication of Ateneo de Naga University. Vol. LV, no. 2. p. 12.
  7. ^ "House fetes 9-year-old Bicol chess wizard Bince Rafael Operiano". Manila Bulletin.
  8. ^ Kaewjinda, Kaweewit (December 17, 2018). "Catriona Gray of the Philippines crowned Miss Universe 2018". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  9. ^ "Province: Albay". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  10. ^ "Municipal: Oas, Albay". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  11. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region V (Bicol Region)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  12. ^ "Oas, Albay : Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  13. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  14. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  15. ^ "Province of Albay". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  16. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  17. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
  18. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
  19. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
  20. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
  21. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
  22. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  23. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.