Oas, Albay
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- Oas redirects here. For the three-letter abbreviation OAS, see OAS.
History
The origin and foundation of the Municipality can be related to the early Spanish Colonization of the Bicol Peninsula. Scant historic detail tells of the creation of this municipality into some kind of a rural community. In year 1605, the zealous work of a missionary (Father Baltazar de los Reyes y Miranda or de la Magdalena), which resulted to the conversion into Christianity of the twelve (12) leading natives in one single day became the foundation of the community now known as the municipality of Oas. In 2005, Oas celebrated its 400th foundation year.
How the name of the Municipality of Oas evolved, speaks of three (3) different versions attributed to constant traditions of uncontroverted value. The first version mentions the existence of numerous lagoons or pools of water abounding the place which prompted early colonizers to give it the name of "Oasis". The natives soon called the place by this name and later abbreviated it to "Oas". A second version relates to the existence of a dam across the narrowest portion of a river traversing the place. This dam solely irrigates the vast fields of the place including those of nearby town of Libon and results to good harvest. People are wary of any cracks or leaks on the dam walls during months of heavy rains. A crier would shot "nawaswas" giving the call to the people for immediate action in groups. From then on, the natives coined this name to the place and later shortened it to present from in times of this kind emergency. A third version and perhaps the most logical version of how the municipality derived its name gives an account of early Spanish Colonozers reaching this particular section of the Bicol Peninsula. The Spaniards, inquired the name of the place from the about 600 natives found living there, "Como se llama este sitio?" with gesture of their hands. The natives mistakenly thought the question to be, "Onan kading lugar dali maiwas?" in their native dialect. In response, the natives answered, "Si, señores. Labi nikading iwas. Labi nikading iwas." 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 a little town of Oas in Bicol.
The present role of the municipality of Oas is a small town. However, its projected role under the Albay Provincial Framework Plan (1993-2002) is now as a medium town. Under the Legazpi – Iriga – Naga – Daet Growth Corridor, the municipality is projected role that of a Rural Service Center whose functions include: morning wet market, barber shop, eateries, variety stores, drug stores, blacksmith and municipal hall. These indicators aptly describe the projected role of the municipality of Oas for its preferred development strategy for the planning period Year 2000-2004 which are combination of agriculture, light industry, commerce and tourist development.
Barangays
Oas is politically subdivided into 53 barangays.
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External links
| Cities and Municipalities of Albay | |
| Cities: | Legazpi City | Ligao City | Tabaco City |
| Municipalities: | Bacacay | Camalig | Daraga | Guinobatan | Jovellar | Libon | Malilipot | Malinao | Manito | Oas | Pio Duran | Polangui | Rapu-Rapu | Santo Domingo | Tiwi |
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