Oras, officially the Municipality of 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.

Geography

Barangays

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

Climate

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

Secondary