Oras, Eastern Samar

Oras, officially the Municipality of Oras (Bungto han Oras; Bayan ng Oras), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Eastern Samar, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 37,451 people.

History
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. 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.

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. In the same year, Santa Monica was transferred to the town of San Policarpo.

Barangays
Oras is politically subdivided into 42 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.


 * Agsam
 * Bagacay
 * Balingasag
 * Balocawe (Poblacion)
 * Bantayan
 * Batang
 * Bato
 * Binalayan
 * Buntay
 * Burak
 * Butnga (Poblacion)
 * Cadian
 * Cagdine
 * Cagpile
 * Cagtoog
 * Camanga (Poblacion)
 * Dalid
 * Dao
 * Factoria
 * Gamot
 * Iwayan
 * Japay
 * Kalaw
 * Mabuhay
 * Malingon
 * Minap-os
 * Nadacpan
 * Naga
 * Pangudtan
 * Paypayon (Poblacion)
 * Riverside (Poblacion)
 * Rizal
 * Sabang
 * San Eduardo
 * Santa Monica
 * Saugan
 * Saurong
 * Tawagan (Poblacion)
 * Tiguib (Poblacion)
 * Trinidad (Maycorot)
 * Alang-alang
 * San Roque (Poblacion)

Demographics
The population of Oras in the 2020 census was 37,451 people, with a density of undefined PD/km2.

Economy
Agriculture is the main source of income while 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 great advantage in the transportation of goods and services, in which agricultural goods from these municipalities pass directly in 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. 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.

Education
Oras has 39 public elementary schools, 5 public high schools, and 1 private high school.

Elementary

 * Agsam Elementary School
 * Alang-alang Primary School
 * Anacta Primary School
 * Bagacay Elementary School
 * Balingasag Elementary School
 * Balocawe Elementary School
 * Bantayan Elementary School
 * Batang Elementary School
 * Bato Primary School
 * Binalayan Elementary School
 * Buntay Elementary School
 * Burak Elementary School
 * Cadi-an Elementary School
 * Cagdine Elementary School
 * Cagpile Elementary School
 * Cagtoog Elementary School
 * Dalid Elementary School
 * Dao Integrated School
 * Factoria Elementary School
 * Gamot Elementary School
 * Iwayan Elementary School
 * Japay Elementary School
 * Kalaw Elementary School
 * Mabuhay Elementary School
 * Malingon Elementary School
 * Minap-os Elementary School
 * Nadacpan Elementary School
 * Naga Elementary School
 * Oras East Central Elementary School
 * Oras West Central Elementary School
 * Pangudtan Elementary School
 * Rizal Elementary School
 * Sabang Elementary School
 * San Eduardo Elementary School
 * Saugan Elementary School
 * Saurong Elementary School
 * Sta. Monica Integrated School
 * Tawagan Elementary School
 * Trinidad Elementary School

Secondary

 * Holy Cross Academy - Brgy. Butnga
 * Nicasio M. Alvarez II Memorial National High School - Brgy. San Eduardo
 * Nicasio M. Alvarez II Memorial National High School (Sta. Monica Annex) - Brgy. Sta. Monica
 * Oras National Agro-Industrial School - Brgy. Cadi-an
 * Oras National High School - Brgy. San Roque
 * Oras National High School (Dao Annex) - Brgy. Dao