Pasacao (), officially the Municipality of Pasacao (; ), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the , it has a population of people. The area is noted for its brown sand beaches and is sometimes referred to as the "Summer Capital of Camarines Sur.
During the Spanish colonization in the 16th century, a settlement surrounded a port in what is now Pasacao, serving as a primary embarkation point in Camarines Sur and the only sea link to Manila.
History
Early European travelers noted that Pasacao, located at the present-day town center, was seen as separate from nearby barangays like Dalupaon and Tinalmud. This suggests that these areas were independent villages before being formally organized. The current municipality of Pasacao, which now includes all its barangays, was officially established during the American colonial period, while the individual barangays existed earlier as separate communities.
Spanish colonization
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. In 1823, the town had an estimated population of only 200 people due to frequent attacks.
In 1627, an attempt was made to establish a canal linking a river in Pasacao to the Bicol River, which would have connected the town to Nueva Caceres (now Naga). However, the project was abandoned due to concerns about the high costs involved. There was also uncertainty over whether the small boats that would utilize the canal would justify the expense, and fears arose that seawater intrusion might threaten the town's rice fields.
Geography
Pasacao is located on the northwest coast of Camarines Sur. It shares its northwestern border with Libmanan, marked by Mount Bernacci, while San Fernando lies to the east and Pamplona to the north. The town center is nestled in a valley between the Ragay Hills, offering direct access to the Bicol Plains. Pasacao's coastline lies on the southern part of the municipality, facing the Ragay Gulf, which is part of the Sibuyan Sea. thumb|left|Daruanak Island|149x149px
It covers an area of approximately . The municipality is characterized by flat lowlands in the north and east, consisting of silt, 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, The town's topography is characterized by steep slopes, with elevations ranging from sea level to over above sea level. The highest point in the town is Mount Bernacci, which stands at 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 .
Pasacao's coastline extends approximately . Its brown sand beaches, are used for activities like swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. Balogo Beach, the most notable beach, is near Daruanak Island, the town's landmark and one of the major features of the official seal.
! colspan="2" |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
|3.41%
| 1,823
|-
| Odicon
|5.69%
| 3,043
|-
| Quitang
|5.59%
| 2,991
|-
| Salvacion
|1.86%
| 995
|-
| San Antonio
|1.15%
| 613
|-
|scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6F3"| San Cirilo
|scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6F3"|9.97%
|scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6F3"| 5,53
|-
|scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6F3"| Santa Rosa Del Norte
|scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6F3"|7.74%
|scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6F3"| 4,136
|-
|scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6F3"| Santa Rosa Del Sur
|scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6F3"|6.60%
|scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6F3"| 3,527
|-
| Tilnac
|1.73%
| 927
|-
| Tinalmud
| 4.55%
| 2,435
|-
! Total
! 100%
! 53,461
|}
Climate
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. The municipal government organizes various events, including pageant competitions, civic parades, and other activities. These festivals are key to Pasacao's cultural calendar, showcasing the town's heritage and offering opportunities for local celebration. Additionally, the Daruanak Summer Festival takes place during the summer season. The park is also designated to host the municipal office, which is under construction.
Roadways
Pasacao is primarily accessible via the Danao-Pasacao Road, a 8.89 km (5.52 mi) 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. Complementing this, the 40.69 km (25.28 mi) Pasacao-Balatan Tourism Coastal Highway, developed under the Build, Build, Build program, links the municipality with neighboring towns including San Fernando, Minalabac, Bula, and Balatan, integrating 15 barangays along the route. These roadways are critical for regional connectivity, the movement of goods, and access to local services.
Ports
thumb|right|Pasacao PortPasacao Seaport, also known as the Port of Pasacao, locally known as Pier, is a fishing, passenger, and cargo port managed by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in Camarines Sur. It is situated in Barangay Sta. Rose del Sur. The port serves passengers traveling from Pasacao to Burias and Mobo 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.
Education
The Pasacao Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.
The municipality has several educational institutions catering to different levels of education. For elementary education, the town has 16 public schools and 2 private schools. At the secondary level, there are 6 public high schools and 2 private high schools. Students can continue their studies in nearby cities like Naga and Legazpi.
A key institution in Pasacao is the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) - Pasacao Campus, which offers undergraduate programs in education. The town also supports non-formal education through the Alternative Learning System (ALS) for out-of-school youth and adults, and technical and vocational training through the Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (CASIFMAS), which offers courses in various vocational fields.
Below is the list of the tertiary and secondary level existing schools on the municipality.
Primary and elementary schools
- Arborvitae Plains Montessori
- Bagong Silang Elementary School
- Bahay Elementary School
- Balagon Elementary School
- Balogo Baptist Christian School
- Balogo Elementary School
- Caranan Elementary School (North)
- Caranan Elementary School (South)
- Compra Elementary School
- Cuco Elementary School
- Dalupaoon Elementary School
- Hubo Elementary School
- Itulan Elementary School
- La Florianne Institute of Learning
- Lyceo de Pasacao
- Macad Elementary School
- Odicon Elementary School
- Pasacao Academy
- Pasacao Central School
- Quitang Elementary School
- Salvacion Elementary School
- San Antonio Elementary School
- Tilnac Elementary School
- Tinalmud Elementary School
Secondary schools
- Antipolo Heights Integrated School
- Arbovitae Plains Montessori
- Balogo Baptist Christian School (Junior High School)
- Dalupaon National High School
- Dr. Lorenzo P. Ziga Memorial High School
- Juan F. Triviño Memorial High School
- La Florianne Institute of Learning (Junior High School)
- Lyceo de Pasacao
- Pasacao Academy
- Pasacao Municipal High School
- Rolando R. Andaya Memorial High School
Higher educational institutions
- Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries & Marine Sciences
- Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries & Marine Sciences (Caranan Campus)
- Central Bicol State University for Agriculture
Notable people
- Tomas Karingal
Notes
References
External links
- 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