Pasacao

Nickname: Motto: 13°30′37″N 123°02′31″E / 13.5103°N 123.0419°E / 13.5103; 123.0419CountryPhilippinesRegionBicol RegionProvinceCamarines SurDistrict2nd districtFounded1872Barangays19 (see Barangays)Government • TypeSangguniang Bayan • MayorJorge R. Bengua • Vice MayorMaryol O. Tayco • RepresentativeLuis Raymund F. Villafuerte Jr. • Municipal Council • Electorate31,618 voters (2022)Area • Total149.54 km² (57.74 sq mi)Elevation36 m (118 ft)Highest elevation756 m (2,480 ft)Lowest elevation0 m (0 ft)Population • Total53,461 • Density360/km² (930/sq mi) • Households11,971DemonymPasaqueño (Masculine) Pasaqueña (Feminine)Economy • Income class3rd income class municipality • Poverty incidence41.62% (2015)^[4] • Revenue₱197,378,822.82 • Assets₱ 528.4 million (2020) • Expenditure₱ 137.2 million (2020) • Liabilities₱ 168.3 million (2020)Service provider • ElectricityCamarines Sur 1 Electric Cooperative (CASURECO 1) • WaterPasacao Water District (PAWADI)Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)ZIP codePSGCIDD : area code +63 (0)54Native languagesCentral Bikol
TagalogMajor religionsRoman CatholicismFeast dateAugust 30Catholic dioceseDiocese of LibmananPatron saintSaint Rose of LimaWebsitepasacao.gov.ph

Pasacao (/pɑːsəˈkoʊ/), 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] The area is noted for its brown sand beaches and is sometimes referred to as the "Summer Capital of Camarines Sur.^[5]

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.^[6]

The town was formed in 1872, according to records from the Archdiocese of Cáceres.^[6]

The town's name is derived from the Spanish-Tagalog portmanteau Pasa-Ikaw (English: Pass it on). This is because dock guards stationed at the Pasacao Port would regularly issue directions to passengers by shouting "Pasa ikaw, Pasa ikaw." Passengers mistook the phrase for the town's name, Pasacao.^[6]

From 1585 to the 19th century, Pasacao served as a crucial defense port against Moro pirate incursions. The raid in Caranan on October 4, 1779, is an example. Pasacao and 9 other towns and two missions were entirely destroyed.^[7] In 1823, the town had an estimated population of only 200 people due to frequent attacks.^[6] To defend Pasacao against these raids, Alcalde Jacinto Rodriguez Morales contributed material for a balwark. The fortification of Pasacao in 1848, which included Cabusao in Camarines Sur, Pantao (now Libon), and Donsol in Sorsogon, was motivated by these attacks.^[6]

Between 1609 and 1616, during the governor generalship of Juan de Silva, two galleons, the Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe and Angel dela Guardia, were built in Barangay Dalupaon, as well as the Astillero de Dalupaon (English: Dalupaon Shipyard). Guadalupe was vital in the galleon commerce between Manila and Acapulco, as well as the defense of the Philippines against the Dutch at the Battle of Playa Honda.^[6]

An attempt was made to establish a connection between the Pasacao River and the Bicol River during this time,^[8] but it was abandoned due to cost concerns over whether the tiny boats that would use it would justify the undertaking.^[9]

Historical journals from early European travelers indicate that Pasacao was referred to separately from neighboring barangays such as Dalupaon and Tinalmud. This distinction suggests that, in pre-colonial times until it's ratification, these areas were recognized as distinct political entities rather than being considered part of a unified territory.^{[citation needed]}

In World War II, the Tangcong Vaca Guerilla Unit [bcl], based near Mount Bernacci, carried out significant operations against Japanese forces. Notably, after Japanese ships docked at Pasacao Pier, they were bombed as part of the guerrilla resistance, marking Pasacao’s involvement in the region’s wartime activities.^[6]

The Six Daughters of Charity arrived in Pasacao to establish Naga's first regular girls' school, Universidad de Santa Isabel.^[6]

On July 20, 1966, a major fire devastated the commercial and residential center of Pasacao. The blaze, ignited by sparks from a chimney, swept through approximately 13 blocks, resulting in damage estimated at PHP 3 to 4 million. The fire left about 700 families, or 3,000 individuals, homeless. Key structures, including the mayor's residence and a rural bank were destroyed.

Local firefighting efforts were hampered by inadequate equipment, and looting occurred amidst the chaos. In response, President Marcos allocated PHP 10,000 in initial aid, and Governor Armando B. Cledera provided PHP 10,000 worth of goods and materials. Various organizations, including the Philippine Red Cross and the Naga City Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, contributed food and supplies to support the affected residents.^[10]

Pasacao is situated on the northwest coast of the Camarines Sur. The town is bordered by Mount Bernacci that it shares a border with Libmanan in the northwest, San Fernando in the east, and Pamplona in the north. The town center is situated in a valley gaping the Ragay Hills, providing direct access to the Bicol Plains.

Pasacao covers an area of approximately 149.54 square kilometers (57.74 square miles). The municipality is characterized by flat lowlands in the north and east, consisting of silt,^[11] and mountainous regions in the west. The western area mainly features rolling hills that are part of the highlands surrounding the Ragay Gulf, with the terrain primarily consisting of limestones, sandstones, and marls.^[9][12][13] The town's topography is characterized by steep slopes, with elevations ranging from sea level to over 400 metres (1,300 ft) above sea level. The highest point in the town is Mount Bernacci, which stands at 756 metres (2,480 ft) above sea level.

Pasacao is characterized by several rivers, notably including the Caranan, Cagbunini, Itulan, Balogo, and Tinalmud Rivers. All these waterways flow into the Ragay Gulf. Among them, the Tinalmud River is the longest, extending approximately 10.5 kilometers.

Pasacao's coastline extends approximately 22 kilometers. Its brown sand beaches, are used for activities like swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. Balogo Beach, the most notable beach, is near Daruanak Island, a prominent landmark of the town.

Pasacao's natural ecosystem includes caves such as those in Barangay Caranan, Dalupaon, and Bahay, which are crucial for maintaining ecological balance.

Suminabang Cave, located in Caranan and near Dalupaon, hosts insectivorous species like the Caroline swiftlet (Aerodramus inquietus) and the Philippine forest roundleaf bat (Hipposideros obscurus).^[11]

A cave in Bahay, situated on Mt. Tigbi's slopes, features a distinctive dog-head shaped entrance and is accessible after a one-hour hike. This cave is part of a limestone mountain range that forms the natural boundary between Bahay and Caranan.^[11]

Pasacao is home to 73 species across 64 genera and 41 families, including 10 mammals, 53 birds, 4 reptiles, and 6 amphibians.^[11]

The town includes a marine sanctuary at Stampa Beach, which supports a variety of marine life such as fish, corals, and sea turtles.^[14]

Pasacao is politically subdivided into 19 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.   Poblacion

Barangays[15]	Population (2020)
Antipolo	1.78%	953
Bagong Silang	1.03%	550
Bahay	3.56%	1,905
Balogo	10.82%	5,785
Caranan	19.57%	10,460
Cuco	3.75%	2,004
Dalupaon	7.44%	3,977
Hubo	1.46%	780
Itulan	2.29%	1,226
Macad[b]	3.41%	1,823
Odicon	5.69%	3,043
Quitang	5.59%	2,991
Salvacion	1.86%	995
San Antonio	1.15%	613
San Cirilo	9.97%	5,53
Santa Rosa Del Norte	7.74%	4,136
Santa Rosa Del Sur	6.60%	3,527
Tilnac	1.73%	927
Tinalmud	4.55%	2,435
Total	100%	53,461

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Pasacao has a tropical rainforest climate. The north-east monsoon dominates the area; therefore, rainfall is evenly spread throughout the year. From October to January, the wind blows from north to east, from east to southeast from February to April, and from May to September, it blows from east to southeast. From December to May, the area is rather dry, and the rest of the year is wet. The town is occasionally affected by typhoons during the wet season, which can cause flooding and landslides in some areas.

Based on PAGASA’s Climate Projections, the temperature in Pasacao is estimated to rise ranging from 0.9°C to 1.1°C in year 2020, and will continue to rise in 2050 ranging from 1.8°C to 2.2°C. This will affect vital ecosystems such as forest, agriculture, and coastal and marine. The agricultural sector may experience loss as studies reveal that 1°C increase in temperature causes 10% decrease in rice yield.^[11]

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.

Population census of Pasacao

Year Pop. ±% 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%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 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%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 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[17][18][19][20]

Poverty incidence of Pasacao

10 20 30 40 50 2006 50.00 2009 48.74 2012 44.55 2015 41.62 2018 32.75 2021 44.87 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]

The primary language spoken in Pasacao is Bikol, specifically the Central Bikol dialect. However, many residents also speak Tagalog and English, which are the official languages of the Philippines.

Despite the presence of a single church, Saint Rose of Lima Parish, and a few chapels, Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in the municipality. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Iglesia ni Kristo, Born Again denominations, Jehovah's Witnesses, and other Christian denominations are also present across the municipality.

The economy of Pasacao is largely based on agriculture and fishing, with rice, corn, and coconut being the main crops grown in the area. Fishing is also an important industry, with the town's coastal location providing abundant fishing grounds. Many schools and a growing number of local businesses give additional work opportunities for people. Other locals work at the oil depots in Barangay Sta. Rosa Del Sur (the area is also claimed by Barangay Caranan), as well as some labor in Naga and the Metropolitan Manila area. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in eco-tourism, with the municipality's pristine beaches and scenic spots attracting both local and foreign visitors.

The town of Pasacao observes its annual fiesta and Pasa-Pasa Ikaw Festival on August 29-30 in honor of Saint Rose of Lima, the patron saint of the town.

The municipal government organizes a range of events, including pageant competitions, civic and military parades, and other activities. These festivals are significant in Pasacao's cultural calendar, reflecting the town's heritage and providing opportunities for local celebration.^[29]

Pasacao is primarily accessible via the Danao-Pasacao Road, a 8.89km (5.52 mi)^[30] road which extends from a junction with the Pan-Philippine Highway in Tambo, Pamplona, to various local road networks within the town's barangays. This road serves as the main route connecting Pasacao to surrounding areas and facilitates internal transportation.

In addition, the town benefits from the Pasacao-Balatan Tourism Coastal Highway, a 40.69km (25.28 mi) project developed under the Build, Build, Build program. This highway not only links Pasacao to neighboring municipalities—San Fernando, Minalabac, Bula, and Balatan—but also integrates 15 barangays from these towns. The coastal highway is designed to enhance connectivity and promote ecotourism in Camarines Sur.^[31] Together, these road networks play a crucial role in supporting transportation and economic development in Pasacao and its surrounding regions.

The town's civic center, Signature Park (stylized as SigNATURE Park), located in Barangay Sta. Rosa Del Norte, covering 1,145 square meters, is a key civic and recreational center. It includes, the CBD Complex^[32], the DRRM/Evacuation Court, and a Eco-park complex housing the town's plaza. The park will also house the new municipal office, with construction still underway.

Pasacao Seaport, also known as the Port of Pasacao, locally known as Pier, is a fishing, passenger, and cargo port in Camarines Sur. It is situated in Barangay Sta. Rose del Sur. The port serves passengers traveling from Pasacao to Burias in Masbate Province.

The nearby smaller Pasacao Fishport is primarily utilized for fishing and unloading fish, as well as pump boats and fastcrafts for short trips.

The town has several schools and educational institutions that offer quality education to its residents.

At the elementary level, there are 16 public elementary schools and 2 private schools that cater to the educational needs of children in Pasacao. The public elementary schools are operated by the Department of Education (DepEd) and offer the government's K-12 program. At the secondary level, there are 6 public high schools and 2 private schools in Pasacao. Students who complete high school can pursue higher education in colleges and universities in nearby cities such as Naga and Legazpi.

One notable educational institution in Pasacao is the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) - Pasacao Campus. It was established in 1982 and is one of the satellite campuses of CBSUA in the province. The Pasacao Campus offers undergraduate course in education.

Aside from formal education, Pasacao also promotes non-formal education through the Alternative Learning System (ALS). The ALS is a program offered by the DepEd that provides out-of-school youth and adults an opportunity to complete their elementary or high school education through flexible learning modes such as distance learning, modular learning, and face-to-face classes.

In addition, Pasacao also supports technical and vocational education and training (TVET) through the Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (CASIFMAS). CASFIMAS offers various vocational courses in fields such as automotive, welding, food and beverage, and electronics, among others. These courses provide residents of Pasacao with the necessary skills to pursue employment opportunities or start their own businesses

Below is the list of the tertiary and secondary level existing schools on the municipality.

Tertiary

• Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences
• Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences - Caranan Campus
• Central Bicol State University for Agriculture (CBSUA) - Pasacao Extension Campus

Secondary

• Antipolo Heights Integrated School
• Arbovitae Plains Montessori Inc. (APMI) - Pasacao Branch
• Balogo Baptist Christian School, Inc.
• Dalupaon National High School
• Dr. Lorenzo P. Ziga Memorial High School
• Juan F. Triviño Memorial High School
• La Florianne Institute of Learning, Inc.
• Lyceo de Pasacao
• Pasacao Academy, Inc.
• Pasacao Municipal High School
• Rolando R. Andaya Memorial High School

• Official Website of Pasacao, Camarines Sur
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Official Site of the Province of Camarines Sur
• Barangays of Pasacao, Camarines Sur