Pasacao

Pasacao, officially the Municipality of Pasacao (Central Bikol: Banwaan kan Pasacao; Tagalog: Bayan ng Pasacao), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 53,461 people. [3]

Pasacao
Municipality
Municipality of Pasacao
Aerial shot of Pasacao with its port and oil depot.
Seal
Nickname(s): 
Summer Capital of Camarines Sur
Motto(s): 
MATIBAY Pasacao
Map of Camarines Sur with Pasacao highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Pasacao
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 13°30′37″N 123°02′31″E
CountryPhilippines
RegionBicol Region
ProvinceCamarines Sur
District2nd district
Founded1872
Barangays19 (see Barangays)
Government
 [1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorNiño A. Tayco
 • Vice MayorMarilyn H. Sotto
 • RepresentativeLuis Raymund F. Villafuerte Jr.
 • Municipal Council
Members
 • Electorate30,183 voters (2019)
Area
[2]
 • Total149.54 km2 (57.74 sq mi)
Elevation
36 m (118 ft)
Highest elevation
(Mount Bernacci)
756 m (2,480 ft)
Lowest elevation
(Ragay Gulf)
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2020 census) [3]
 • Total53,461
 • Density360/km2 (930/sq mi)
 • Households
9,838
Demonym(s)Pasaqueño (Masculine) Pasaqueña (Feminine)
Economy
 • Income class3rd municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence41.62% (2015)[4]
 • Revenue₱185,378,822.82 (2020)
 • Assets₱528,424,513.41 (2020)
 • Expenditure₱137,225,253.85 (2020)
 • Liabilities₱168,264,669.34 (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityCamarines Sur 1 Electric Cooperative (CASURECO 1)
 • WaterPasacao Water District (PAWADI)
 • TelecommunicationsSmart, Globe, PLDT and GTSI
 • Cable TVCignal, Rising Sun
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
4417
PSGC
051727000
IDD : area code +63 (0)54
Native languagesCentral Bikol
Tagalog
Major religionsRoman Catholicism
Feast dateAugust 30
Catholic dioceseRoman Catholic Diocese of Libmanan
Patron saintSaint Rose of Lima
Websitepasacao.camarinessur.gov.ph

During the Spanish colonization in the 16th century, Pasacao was one of the embarkation points in Camarines Sur and was the only sea transportation link to Manila. It played a vital role in the development of commerce and trade in the province.

Etymology

The port of Pasacao is rich in stories on how it got its present name. Since the part is a bustling area, dock guards were stationed to maintain peace and order. These guards would usually shout “Pasa ikaw, Pasa ikaw” as instructions to passengers. This Spanish-Tagalog mixed up “pasa-ikaw” was mistaken by the passengers as the name of the place – Pasacao.

Another story went around that fisherman who was asked by a Spanish sentry what were the contents of his basket. The fisherman answered “pasa-pasa”, the name of the fish, and simultaneously offered some by saying “ikaw” meaning to say if he wanted some. The sentry on the other hand interpreted the words “Pasa-pasa ikaw” as the name of the place. For long, the place was known among the soldiers as Pasa-pasa ikaw until it shortened to a more convenient Pasacao.

The town’s name was also said to have been derived from “Pasok kayo”. This came from a native as an answer to a Spanish soldier’s query of the name of the place. Misunderstanding clouded the native’s remark when he meant to say that the soldier come up or come in.

In a similar story as the first story, Pasacao came from “Pasa ikaw”. Some Spanish settlers while walking along the shore met a native. The settlers asked the native to pass on by saying “Pasa”. The native, on the other hand, wanted the Spaniards to go first by saying “ikaw”. Through a convenient usage, it became Pasacao. Still another story gives credence to the word “Pasangkay” as the origin of the town’s name. The travelers and traders often used it en route to Manila to ask owners of the sailboats along the shore of the village to let them ride. Pasangkay means the request of the people to get into the boat to travel. From the above-mentioned short atories, the name of the town Pasacao must have been derived from them. The Fil-American or Spanish law recognizing the legal existence of Pasacao believes.

History

Pasacao was the slumbering “visita” and served as the only existing port of the Bicol Region. The Spaniards who set foot in Bicol late in 16th century noted the importance of the visita in their exploration. Pasacao became a strategic defense port against the raids by Moro pirates from 1585 to 19th century. Due to frequent raids the town had an estimated population of only 200 in 1823.

Vessels carrying goods and passengers made their starts or stop over here. Notwithstanding the rough road to Pamplona, this town has been contributing to, a large degree, in the economic development of the province of the Camarines Sur in particular.

From 1609-1616, at the time of governor general of Juan de Silva, two galleons, the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe and Angel dela Guardia were constructed in Barangay Dalupaon Astillero de Dalupaon was also constructed to support the project. Guadalupe played a significant role in galleon trade between Manila and Acapulco and in the defense of the Philippines against Dutch incursion in the Battle of Playa Honda.

Pasacao’s Strategic location along the rugged coast of the vast expanse of the Ragay Gulf in the east made it very important to the economic and social life of the people of the region. It is for the reason that a parish was established dedicated to the Saint Rose of Lima as the patroness. Annually in the honor of the town patroness, a fiesta is celebrated on August 30. It is said that the geography of Pasacao makes its history full of hardships, troubles and affliction that influenced the customs, traditions and way of life of the inhabitants. The continued Moro piracy likes that one in 4 October 1779 at Caranan. The report of Bishop Manuel dela Concepcion described this raids in his letter to the king on June 29, 1758 as “undoubtedly greater at any other time.” The raids according to Domingo Abella-Bikol Annals, “ten towns and two mission were completely destroyed; ten churches were looted and burned; about 8,000 indios were captured or killed; one priest was killed, two captured, and the capital Caceres, was under alert one night. Alcalde Jacinto Rodriguez Morales provided material for a baluarte (earthwork or fortified rampant) as defense of Pasacao against these raids. He also issued rations to bantayes (watchmen, sentinels).

Very few people of Pasacao except the old during the governorship of Juan de Silva (1609–1626) two galleons (Manila-Acapulco trade) were constructed in the astillero at the Lupaon (or Dalupaon nowadays) Pasacao. They were Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe and the Angel dele Guardia. According to the Bikol historian Jose Calleja Reyes, the galleon “Guadalupe” figured both in the galleon trade between Manila and Acapulco and in the defense of the Philippines against Dutch incursion in the naval battle of Playa Honda.

Other important historical events that unfolded the Pasacao still left them landmark. The Pasacao Pier was the dockyard of the Japanese ships when it was bombed. Until now some of the Japanese ships can be seen under clear waters. The first place where the American landed is the Magtabid Beach in Pasacao. American air transportation first landed in Tinalmud with their Grasshoppers in 1945. The Pasacao seashore was the place where the Six Daughters of Charity (nuns) landed from Spain to establish the first normal school for girls which is now the Collegio de Santa Isabel in Naga City. These and many other events took place in this town.

During the early American school administrators used this port as their landing. When going to manila they had to sail from here. With no roads from Naga City they used to be carried in the hammock by hired men traversing the mountain trails. In spite of the importance of Pasacao-Pamplona road the authorities have been slow improving it. It took three days on foot from Pasacao to Naga back and forth during the late 19th century.

Today, Pasacao has become a fast-growing community. The coconut oil factory was established, the fishery school opened, oil warehouses constructed and more and more people avail of its fine beaches especially during summer time. The cementing of the Pamplona-Pasacao road has made travel a matter of twenty-minutes instead of the three-day trek in the past.

From 1609-1616, at the time of governor general of Juan de Silva, two galleons, the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe and Angel dela Guardia were constructed in Barangay Dalupaon Astillero de Dalupaon was also constructed to support the project. Guadalupe played a significant role in galleon trade between Manila and Acapulco and in the defense of the Philippines against Dutch incursion in the Battle of Playa Honda.

         Persistent moro raids prompted the fortification of Pasacao in 1834 including Cabusao in Camarines Sur, Pantao, and Donsol in Sorsogon.

         There are many other important historical events that can still be remembered. The Six Daughters of Charity from Spain landed in shore of Pasacao on April 3, 1868 on their way to Naga to establish the first Normal School for Girls in the Bicol Region. This is now the Universidad de Sta. Isabel in Naga City.

When World War II broke out on December 8, 1941, Juan Q. Miranda and Elias Madrid, both from the Municipality of Canaman in Camarines Sur and Leon Sa. Aureus from the Municipality of Libmanan, formed the Tangcong Vaca Guerilla Unit (TVGU). It was the first large guerilla unit that was organized in the province on March 18, 1942. The TVGU was named after a strategic site in the Sierra Madre range within the Municipality of Pasacao and Libmanan – Mount Bernacci (Tangcong Vaca) – where they established their camp. One of the crowning battles fought by the TVGU took place at Barangay Taguilid in the Municipality of Pamplona. This was the ambush of General Takano, the highest Japanese Military Commander in the Philippines. On November 28, 1942, the general landed in Pasacao on his way to Naga City. As they traversed the rugged sloppy terrain of Taguilid Pass in the Municipality of Pamplona, they were ambushed by the unit led by Capt. Juan Miranda. The ambush yielded a casualty of 186 dead Japanese soldiers including the general.

The 1st Cavalry Brigade of American Invasion forces under Brig. Gen. Stadler made an amphibious landing on the historic shores of Magtabid in Caranan on April 27, 1945 to liberate the province of Camarines Sur and neighboring provinces.

       

The canonical records of the Holy Catholic Church, particularly of the Diocese of Caceres clearly showed that PUEBLO DE PASACAO, AMBOS CAMARINES was established in 1872, A.D. The creation of an independent parish took place in 1885, by virtue of a decree issued by His Grace, Most Reverend Casimiro Herrero, O.S.A., Bishop of Caceres.[5]

Geography

Barangays
Pasacao Municipal Hall

Pasacao is politically subdivided into 19 barangays.

Barangays Population (2020) Feast Date Political Zones
Antipolo 953 May 24 6
Bagong Silang 550 April 28 7
Bahay 1,905 October 25 6
Balogo 5,785 July 16 7
Caranan 10,460 June 13 14
Cuco 2,004 October 15 7
Dalupaon 3,977 June 24 14
Hubo 780 May 22 7
Itulan 1,226 October 4 5
Macad (Hebrio Lourdes) 1,823 February 11 7
Odicon 3,043 May 16 7
Quitang 2,991 July 25 7
Salvacion 995 April 25
San Antonio 613 May 12 7
San Cirilo (Poblacion) 5,531 May 1 8
Santa Rosa Del Norte (Poblacion) 4,136 October 24 8
Santa Rosa Del Sur (Poblacion) 3,527 January 19 7
Tilnac 927 January 28 7
Tinalmud 2,435

Climate
Climate data for Pasacao, Camarines Sur
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 33
(91)		 31
(88)		 35
(95)		 37
(99)		 38
(100)		 37
(99)		 36
(97)		 34
(93)		 35
(95)		 34
(93)		 33
(91)		 32
(90)		 35
(94)
Average low °C (°F) 27
(81)		 27
(81)		 29
(84)		 31
(88)		 32
(90)		 32
(90)		 30
(86)		 29
(84)		 30
(86)		 29
(84)		 28
(82)		 28
(82)		 29
(85)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 137.19
(5.40)		 44.2
(1.74)		 52.17
(2.05)		 45.43
(1.79)		 54.15
(2.13)		 92.29
(3.63)		 182.23
(7.17)		 289.11
(11.38)		 260.6
(10.26)		 180.07
(7.09)		 340.22
(13.39)		 98.7
(3.89)		 1,776.36
(69.92)
Average rainy days 25 21 22 19 19 24 26 30 29 27 29 24 295
Source: World Weather Online[6]

The municipality belongs to the fourth distinct type of climate. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year with north-east monsoon prevailing in the area. The general direction of the wind is characteristically from north to east from October to January and from east to southeast from February to April and easterly from May to September. The area is relatively dry from December to May and wet for the rest of the year.

From February to May is hot and dry season in the Philippines and Pasacao in particular. From this months most visitors and tourists come to Pasacao to unwind. It is during the "Lingo ng Pagkabuhay" or the Easter Sunday that most resorts and beaches are fully loaded with visitors coming from nearby places and other areas of the world.

Demographics
Population census of Pasacao
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 2,431—    
1918 2,308−0.35%
1939 5,594+4.31%
1948 8,128+4.24%
1960 14,327+4.84%
1970 19,355+3.05%
1975 21,809+2.42%
1980 25,303+3.02%
1990 31,960+2.36%
1995 36,070+2.29%
2000 38,423+1.36%
2007 41,533+1.08%
2010 45,946+3.74%
2015 49,035+1.25%
2020 53,461+1.71%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [7] [8] [9][10]

In the 2020 census, the population of Pasacao was 53,461 people, [3] with a density of 360 inhabitants per square kilometre or 930 inhabitants per square mile.

Language

While Tagalog is the national language of the Philippines and English is common to the business sectors, these languages are rarely spoken as a medium of communication in Pasacao. Bicol Naga is the language or dialect being spoken by most of its people.

Religion

Even only having one church, Saint Rose of Lima Parish, and a few chapels, Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion in the municipality. Iglesia ni Kristo also has numerous chapels in the different barangays in the municipality.

Economy

Majority of the local residents rely for their income on fishing, farming and engaging in retail business. The presence of many schools and a rising number of local businesses also provides additional employment to the local residents. Other residents are employed to the oil depots located in Barangay Sta. Rosa Del Sur (the area is also being claimed by Barangay Caranan) and some work in other places such as Naga and the Metropolitan Manila area.

Education

Pasacao currently host a vocational school which is CASIFMAS and a state university which is Central Bicol State University for Agricuture (CBSUA), this is in addition to the private and public elementary schools and secondary schools already in the area. The presence of these institutions made Pasacao a significant location for those who wish to complete their studies but cannot afford to do so in Naga City.

Here's the list of the existing schools on the municipality.

Tertiary
  • Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (CASIFMAS)
  • Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (CASIFMAS) - Caranan Campus
  • Central Bicol State University for Agriculture (CBSUA) - Pasacao Extension Campus
Secondary
  • Antipolo Heights Integrated School - Zone 3, Antipolo, Pasacao
  • Arbovitae Plains Montessori Inc. (APMI) - Pasacao Branch - Acacia Drive, Santa Rosa Del Norte, Pasacao
  • Balogo Baptist Christian School, Inc.
  • Dalupaon National High School
  • Dr. Lorenzo P. Ziga Memorial High School - Balogo, Pasacao
  • Juan F. Triviño Memorial High School - Caranan, Pasacao
  • La Florianne Institute of Learning, Inc. - Santa Rosa Del Norte, Pasacao
  • Lyceo de Pasacao - Santa Rosa Del Norte, Pasacao
  • Pasacao Academy - Santa Rosa Del Norte, Pasacao
  • Pasacao Municipal High School - Santa Rosa Del Norte, Pasacao
  • Rolando R. Andaya Memorial High School - Bahay, Pasacao
Intermediate
  • Bagong Silang Elementary School
  • Bahay Elementary School
  • Balagon Elementary School - Balagon, Dalupaon
  • Balogo Elementary School
  • Caranan North Elementary School
  • Caranan South Elementary School
  • Compra Elementary School - Compra, Tinalmud, Pasacao
  • Cuco Elementary School
  • Dalupaon Elementary School
  • Hubo Elementary School
  • Itulan Elementary School
  • Macad Elementary
  • Odicon Elementary
  • Pasacao Central School - Sta. Rosa Del Norte, Pasacao
  • Quitang Elementary School
  • Salvacion Elementary School
  • San Antonio Elementary School
  • Tilnac Elementary School
  • Tinalmud Elementary School

References
  1.  Municipality of Pasacao | (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. PSA. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  4. "PSA releases the 2015 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Quezon City, Philippines. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  5. "History of Pasacao | LGU Pasacao Official Website". Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  6. "Pasacao, Camarines Sur: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". World Weather Online. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  7. Census of Population (2015). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  8. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  9. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. NSO.
  10. "Province of Camarines Sur". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  11. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  12. https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/NSCB_LocalPovertyPhilippines_0.pdf; publication date: 29 November 2005; publisher: Philippine Statistics Authority.
  13. https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2003%20SAE%20of%20poverty%20%28Full%20Report%29_1.pdf; publication date: 23 March 2009; publisher: Philippine Statistics Authority.
  14. https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2006%20and%202009%20City%20and%20Municipal%20Level%20Poverty%20Estimates_0_1.pdf; publication date: 3 August 2012; publisher: Philippine Statistics Authority.
  15. https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2012%20Municipal%20and%20City%20Level%20Poverty%20Estima7tes%20Publication%20%281%29.pdf; publication date: 31 May 2016; publisher: Philippine Statistics Authority.
  16. https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/City%20and%20Municipal-level%20Small%20Area%20Poverty%20Estimates_%202009%2C%202012%20and%202015_0.xlsx; publication date: 10 July 2019; publisher: Philippine Statistics Authority.
  17. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
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