# 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 | Population | Population | ±% p.a. | ±% p.a. |
| | | 2020 | 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 (Rabak) | 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 (Tabuguk) | 2.3% | 1,529 | 1,400 | ▴ | 0.89% |
| 050512045 | San Jose (Badongay) | 1.1% | 744 | 759 | ▾ | −0.20% |
| 050512046 | San Juan | 2.3% | 1,503 | 1,390 | ▴ | 0.78% |
| 050512047 | San Miguel (Mangayaw) | 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 | 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

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
* 60
* 2000 52.35
* 2003 6.85
* 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 |
| Councilors | Arvin Gregg R. Ricarte + | Independent |
| Councilors | Leopoldo R. Zaragoza ‹› | PDP |
| Councilors | Jesus “Boy” R. Reario, II ‹› | Aksyon |
| Councilors | Noel D. Brijuega + | PDP |
| Councilors | Henry R. Raposon ‹› | Aksyon |
| Councilors | Gader B. Rellama ‹› | PDP |
| Councilors | Robert N. Arevalo + | PDP |
| Ex Officio Municipal Council Members ||||
| ABC President | Joseph Rentosa (San Isidro) | Nonpartisan |
| SK Federation President | Kyle Escalada (Rizal) | Nonpartisan |
    Legend
   * A + indicates that the official is elected for the first term
   * A ♯ indicates that the official is re-elected to a higher position
   * A ‹› indicates that the official is re-elected to the same position

### Past Municipal Administrators

Spanish Era (1734–1898) :
| Inclusive years | Gobernadorcillo |
| 1734 | Don Roque Samco |
| 1735 | Don Juan Pendor |
| 1736 | Don Francisco Sanglitan |
| 1737 | Don Pedro Lagñitnon |
| 1738 | Don Juan Pendor |
| 1739 | Don Jose de Villafuerte |
| 1740 | Don Gregorio Aguilar |
| 1741 | Don Jose de Villafuerte |
| 1742 | Don Domingo Martinez |
| 1743 | Don Francisco Roque |
| 1744 | Don Bernardo Torog |
| 1745 | Don Francisco Romba |
| 1746 | Don Manuel Montañez |
| 1747-1748 | Don Diego Langcauon |
| 1749-1751 | Don Pedro de Valenzuela |
| 1752 | Don Francisco Roque |
| 1753 | Don Pascual Sumba |
| 1754 | Don Antonio Mariano |
| 1755 | Don Pedro de Valenzuela |
| 1756 | Don Domingo de la Cruz |
| 1757 | Don Pedro de Valenzuela |
| 1758 | Don Pascual de la Cruz |
| 1759 | Don Manuel de Sacramento |
| 1760 | Don Ambrocio Doynog |
| 1761 | Don Teodoro de S. Lucas |
| 1762 | Don Atilano de S. Miguel |
| 1763 | Don Pedro de Valenzuela |
| 1764 | Don Manuel de S. Esteban |
| 1765 | Don Gaspar Triquero |
| 1766 | Don Francisco Javier |
| 1767 | Don Manuel de Espiritu Sto. |
| 1768 | Don Gregorio de la Presentacion |
| 1769 | Don Alonso Daiton |
| 1770 | Don Juan Bagamasbad |
| 1771 | Don Andres Tuason |
| 1772 | Don Manuel Salvador |
| 1773 | Don Miguel Geronimo Lacob |
| 1774 | Don Pedro de Valenzuela |
| 1775-1777 | Don Francisco Javier |
| 1778 | Don Alejandro de S. Buenaventura |
| 1779 | Don Miguel Geronimo Lacob |
| 1780 | Don Juan Rafael de los Reyes |
| 1781 | Don Domingo Bruno |
| 1782 | Don Francisco Javier |
| 1783 | Don Miguel Geronimo Lacob |
| 1784 | Don Francisco Bagamasbad |
| 1785 | Don Jose de la Cruz |
| 1786 | Don Pedro S. Juan |
| 1787 | Don Domingo Langcauon |
| 1788 | Don Pascual de la Navidad |
| 1789 | Don Miguel Geronimo Lacob |
| 1790 | Don Miguel S. Pedro |
| 1791 | Don Juan Sto. Domingo |
| 1792 | Don Antonio de la Cruz |
| 1793 | Don Miguel Geronimo Lacob |
| 1794 | Don Juan Sto. Domingo |
| 1795 | Don Domingo S. Nicolas |
| 1796 | Don Francisco Ferrer |
| 1797 | Don Juan Sto. Domingo |
| 1798 | Don Andres S. Fernando |
| 1799 | Don Juan Pinpin de Vera |
| 1800 | Don Domingo S. Nicolas |
| 1801 | Don Francisco S. Buenaventura |
| 1802 | Don Pedro S. Casimiro |
| 1803 | Don Tomas de Jesus |
| 1804 | Don Domingo S. Nicolas |
| 1805 | Don Ricardo Sto. Domingo |
| 1806 | Don Fernando de la Resurreccion |
| 1807 | Don Antonio Florentino |
| 1808 | Don Juan de la Soledad |
| 1809 | Don Domingo S. Nicolas |
| 1810 | Don Gaspar Florencio |
| 1811 | Don Juan de los Santos |
| 1812 | Don Ricardo Sto. Domingo |
| 1813 | Don Mariano S. Nicomedes |
| 1814 | Don Pascual S. Antonio |
| 1815 | Don Ludovico S. Bailo |
| 1816 | Don Serrano Marquez |
| 1817 | Don Bernardo Nicolas |
| 1818 | Don Pascual Conrade |
| 1819 | Don Juan de la Navidad |
| 1820 | Don Francisco Langcauon |
| 1821 | Don Juan Portacio |
| 1822 | Don Francisco Langcauon |
| 1823 | Don Juan Abad |
| 1824 | Don Fabiano Crisostomo |
| 1825-1826 | Don Francisco Langcauon |
| 1827 | Don Pedro Rafael |
| 1828 | Don Ricardo Sto. Domingo |
| 1829 | Don Exeario Domingo Nepomuceno |
| 1830 | Don Juan Perez |
| 1831 | Don Juan Langcauon |
| 1832 | Don Vicente Pendor |
| 1833 | Don Mariano Benequillo |
| 1834 | Don Pascual S. Lazaro |
| 1835 | Don Bernardo S. Francisco |
| 1836 | Don Santiago Andaya |
| 1837 | Don Juan Espinosa |
| 1838 | Don Pedro Lorenzo S. Miguel |
| 1839 | Don Andres del Espiritu Sto. |
| 1840 | Don Santiago Bernardo |
| 1841 | Don Exeario Domingo Nepomuceno |
| 1842 | Don Bernardo S. Juan |
| 1843 | Don Clemente Azanza |
| 1844 | Don Vicente S. Fernando |
| 1845 | Don Pascual Silvestre |
| 1846 | Don Pedro Bagol |
| 1847 | Don Manuel Mancera |
| 1848 | Don Alejandro Pagdato |
| 1849 | Don Rufino Raña |
| 1850 | Don Francisco Bonifacio Sang |
| 1851 | Don Jose Ralla S. Ramon |
| 1852 | Don Leocadio Rafael |
| 1853 | Don Antonio Real S. Fernando |
| 1854 | Don Geronimo Andaya |
| 1855 | Don Cornelio Gumba |
| 1856 | Don Antonio Real S. Fernando |
| 1857 | Don Estanislao Rafael |
| 1858 | Don Mariano Realco |
| 1859 | Don Camilo Romualdo |
| 1860 | Don Pascual Bustamante |
| 1861 | Don Cayetano Real S. Fernando |
| 1862 | Don Pedro Radorez |
| 1863-1864 | Don Francisco Rellante |
| 1865-1866 | Don Romualdo Azanza |
| 1867 | Don Juan Rebusi |
| 1868-1869 | Don Francisco Rellante |
| 1870-1871 | Don Manuel Realista |
| 1872-1873 | Don Guido Recato |
| 1874-1875 | Don Margarito Ragos |
| 1876-1877 | Don Juan Rebusi |
| 1878-1879 | Don Ambrosio R.S. Ramon |
| 1880-1882 | Don Ciriaco Damian |
| 1883-1884 | Don Jose G. Camposano |
| 1885-1888 | Don Mariano Romero |
| 1889-1890 | Don Bartolome Roa |
| 1891 | Don Mariano Austero |
| 1892 | Don Crispin Q. Roa |
| 1893-1894 | Don Mariano Rebueno |
| 1895-1898 | Don Jose Ribaya |
Republica Filipina (1898-1900) :
| Inclusive years | Municipal president |
| 1898-1899 | Guido Recato (Appointed by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo) |
| 1899-1900 | Bartolome Roa (Appointed by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo) |
American rule (1900–1941) :
| Inclusive years | Municipal president |
| 1900–1901 | Mariano Rebueno |
| 1901–1903 | A. Austero |
| 1904-1905 | A. Redillas |
| 1906-1909 | R. Realista |
| 1910-1912 | Luis Romano |
| 1913-1916 | Juan Rayala II |
| 1917-1919 | Crispin Rayala |
| 1920-1922 | Manuel Bustamante |
| 1923-1925 | Crispin Rayala |
| 1926-1928 | Dalmacio Ras |
| 1929-1931 | Alfredo Q. Roa |
| 1932-1938 | Marcial R. Ras |
| 1938-1941 | Virgilio Rempillo |
| 1941 | Alfredo Q. Roa (Elected but did not assume office, due to Japanese Invasion in December 12, 1941) |
Japanese Occupation (1942–1947) :
| Inclusive years | Municipal Mayor |
| 1941-1942 | Reginaldo Torres (Japanese Appointed) |
| 1943-1945 | Pedro Eva (Japanese Appointed) |
Post-War Period (1945-date) :
| Inclusive years | Municipal Mayor | Municipal Vice Mayor | Remarks |
| September 29, 1945 – December 11, 1945 | Amando Ramin | | Acting Mayor, Appointed by Pres. Sergio Osmeña |
| December 11, 1945 – June 28, 1946 | Pedro Eva | | Appointed by Pres. Sergio Osmeña |
| June 28, 1946 – December 31, 1947 | Temistocles Raguero | | Appointed by Pres. Manuel Roxas |
| January 1, 1948 – 1951 | Temistocles Raguero | | |
| 1952-1955 | Pedro Eva | | |
| 1956-1959 | Temistocles Raguero | | |
| 1960-1971 | Jose R. Ricarte | | |
| 1971-1986 | Marcial R. Bustamante | | |
| 1986–1992 | Jose R. Ricarte | | Appointed Mayor by Pres. Corazon Aquino |
| 1992-1995 | Dr. Jesus Rances | | |
| 1995 | Salvador R. Rendor | Gader Rellama | Died in Office |
| 1995-2001 | Gader B. Rellama | | Assume the office of Mayor, after the death of Mayor Rendor (1995), Established the Oas Community College |
| 2001–2007 | Jesus R. Reario, II | | |
| 2007-2016 | Gregorio H. Ricarte | | |
| 2016-2022 | Domingo R. Escoto, Jr | | Incumbent Mayor |

## Notable personalities

* David Nepomuceno - 1924 Olympian, first Filipino to compete in the Olympics
* Catriona Gray - Miss Universe 2018