Pasacao
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. This strategic location supported commerce and trade across the archipelago.
Colloquially, "Pasacao" refers to this former settlement, which is still recognized separately as the modern town center housing government and business hubs. The settlement was designated as a town in 1854 and expanded to incorporate neighboring barrios, leading to the establishment of a municipality during the American colonial period in the early 20th century.
Etymology
The town's name is derived from the Spanish-Tagalog portmanteau Pasa-Ikaw ''. 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.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. 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, and Donsol in Sorsogon, was motivated by these attacks.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. 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.
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. 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.
Japanese occupation
In World War II, the, 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.The Six Daughters of Charity arrived in Pasacao to establish Naga's first regular girls' school, Universidad de Santa Isabel.
Post-colonization
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.
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.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, sandstones, and marls. 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.
Biodiversity & resources
Pasacao is home to 73 species across 64 genera and 41 families, including 10 mammals, 53 birds, 4 reptiles, and 6 amphibians.Suminabang Cave, located in Caranan near Dalupaon, hosts insectivorous species such as the Caroline swiftlet and the Philippine forest roundleaf bat. Another cave in Bahay, situated on the slopes of Mt. Tigbi, 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.Coastal Pasacao is abundant in marine species, including sea urchins, seaweeds, shellfish, and sea cucumbers. Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphins '' and Spotted dolphins have been sighted in the town's coastal waters.
On August 9, 1993, a fish sanctuary and marine reserve were established under Municipal Ordinance No. 93-007, covering 32 hectares in Calibayan, Dalupan, and 112 hectares in Sarimao, Caranan. The reserve includes a site in Suminabang, Dalupaon, where a Japanese warship wreck can be seen underwater.
Barangays
Pasacao is politically subdivided into 19 barangays.Poblacion
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.
Demographics
In the 2024 census, the population of Pasacao was 50,708 people, with a density of.Language
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.Religion
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.Economy
Pasacao’s economy is primarily driven by agriculture, which occupies approximately 59.6% of the municipality’s total land. Key activities include crop cultivation, livestock and poultry raising, and fishing, which provide the main sources of livelihood for residents. Trade and commerce are concentrated around the Public Market, the town’s main commercial hub, which attracts both local residents and visitors from neighboring areas. Its proximity to Pasacao Port further facilitates the movement of goods and contributes to local revenues.Forestry is another important component of the local economy, with around 383 hectares of land dedicated to forest production. Industrial activity remains limited, with establishments operating across sectors such as construction, utilities, and mining. Most of these are concentrated in Barangay Santa Rosa del Sur, followed by Santa Rosa del Norte, San Cirilo, and Caranan.
Despite possessing natural and cultural resources, the municipality’s tourism sector is relatively underdeveloped. The industry primarily serves short-term or passing visitors, reflecting the limited development of tourism sites and supporting facilities.
The town was formerly included in the Metro Naga area before the designation was discontinued in 2017.