History reveals scant details
on the origin and foundation of the Municipality of Oas which can be related to
the early Spanish Colonization of the Bicol Peninsula. It tells of the creation
of this Municipality into some kind of a rural community of rather. Provisionary
character in year 1595 or approximately 64 years after discovery of the
Philippines by Magellan in Year 1521. The zealous work of a missionary, Father
Baltazar de los Reyes y Miranda or de la Magdalena which resulted to conversion
to Christianity of the twelve (12) leading natives in one single day became the
foundation or nucleus of the community now known as the municipality of Oas.
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 to 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 SEÑORS, MAIWAS. 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 includes: Morning Wet Market, Barber
Shop, Eateries, Sari-Sari Stores, Drug Stores, Blackmuth and Municipal Hall.
These indicators aptly describes 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.
