In 1948, San Policarpo was created from the barrios of San Policarpo, Bahay, Alugan, Pangpang, Japonan, Tabo, Binogawan and Cajag-wayan, which used to belong to Oras.[6] The territory of Oras was further reduced two years later, when Arteche was created from the barrios of San Ramon, Carapdapan, Beri, Tangbo, Catumsan, Bego, Concepcion, Casidman, Tawagan, and Tibalawon.[7]
In 1952, the sitios of Trinidad, Tula, Pota, Palao, Sinalo-an, Tamse-on, Cagmalobago, and Maycorot, in the barrio of Agsam, were separated from said barrio and created into the barrio of Trinidad.[8] In the same year, Santa Monica was transferred to the town of San Policarpo.[9]
Geography
Barangays
Oras is politically subdivided into 42 barangays.[10] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
The population of Oras in the 2020 census was 37,451 people,[3] with a density of 200 inhabitants per square kilometre or 520 inhabitants per square mile.
Economy
Oras Integrated Public Market and Bus Terminal
Agriculture is the main source of income for the people of Oras. The major products are coconut, rice, abaca and fish. It devoted a total land area of 13,582.14 hectares comprising 63.01% of the total land to agricultural production.
It is strategically located at the center of the Municipalities of Dolores, Jipapad, San Policarpo, and Arteche. It has a great advantage in the transportation of goods and services, in that agricultural goods from these municipalities pass directly through Oras. The commercial areas in the municipality are accessible by other municipalities and upstream barangays through the municipal wharf. This serves as an entry and exit point in transportation of commercial products in and out of the municipality.
The municipality of Oras received the Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for 2023.[16] It is an award for the LGU's performance in terms of good financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness, social protection for the basic sector, business-friendly and competitiveness, environment compliance, law and order and public safety.
^The name of this municipality is pronounced aw-RAHS, enunciated quickly with the primary stress on the second syllable. This should not be confused with the Filipino word oras ("time"), which is pronounced AW-ruhs, enunciated in moderate speed with the primary stress at the first syllable.
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