San Jose, Viga

Barangay San José (Oco) Municipality of Viga Barrio Oco, Pueblo de Oco
Barangay
Nickname(s):  Oco
Motto(s):  Tarubo Oco!
Barangay San José (Oco) Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 13°51′20.9″N 124°17′6.9″E / 13.855806°N 124.285250°E / 13.855806; 124.285250Coordinates: 13°51′20.9″N 124°17′6.9″E / 13.855806°N 124.285250°E / 13.855806; 124.285250
Country	Philippines
Region	Bicol Region (Region V)
Province	Catanduanes
City	Viga
Incorporated (settlement)	1969
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Barangay, with Chairman as its head supported by seven (7) Barangay Councilors and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK)
• Barangay Chairman	Alex L. Alcantara
Population  (March 2018)
• Barangay	2,500 [1]
• Urban	2,500
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	4805
Area code(s)	+63 (0)52
Languages	Northern Catanduanes Bicol, Tagalog and English
Demonym	Oconon, Taga-Oco

Barangay San José or most commonly known as Barangay Oco (PSGC: 052010023) is one of the thirty-one (31) barangays and among the two (2) urbanized^[2] barangays of Viga in the province of Catanduanes, Philippines. It lies for about 43 kilometres (27 mi) away from the Provincial Capital Virac, 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) from town proper of Viga and with the distance of 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) to the nearby town of San Miguel. According to the latest census,^[3] it has a population of 1,163 inhabitants (grew from 1,040 in Census 2007^[4]). In August 2015 census ^[5], the population grew +0.33% from 1,163 to 1,183 inhabitants.

The Barrio Oco was changed to Barangay San Jose with the passage of R.A. No. 5561 on June 21 of 1969.

Etymology[]

The aerial view of San Jose Oco overlooking the stretch of Oco River.

The site of the original settlement of Viga was at Caviga-e now called Viga. It was believed that a group of tribesman led by certain “Abines” from the mainland was the first settlers. Due to frequent moro depredations, they fled some four kilometers inland and settled in the place where most of the inhabitants were found to be relatively shorter in height than the size of ordinary natives akin to pygmies, the primitive inhabitants that originally settled in northern Luzon. They called the place “Oco” in reference to short people or dwarfs.

In the latter part of 16th century, a group of Spaniards believed to be a segment of Juan de Salcedo’s expedition reached the place and subdued the natives. They built a military encampment just at the junction called “Burdang” where streams meet and formed Oco River, and extended up to the lowlands. The Spaniards named the settlement Pueblo de Oco, means “Town of Oco”. When moro stopped their plundering activities, the settlers moved back to the lowlands where the soil was more fertile. They selected an area where herbaceous giant gabi-like-plants which they called “Marviga” abundantly grew. The settlers became a mixed stock as a result of the inter-marriages between the natives migrating tribesmen.

An Augustinian friar named Francisco Putiocan became the first Catholic Priest and recognized leader. The Spaniards called the settlement “Viga” a shortened name for Marviga. With the advent of the Spanish civil rule, the inhabitants were easily converted to the Catholic faith. As time went on they felt, however, the strain of Spanish cruelties. When the Philippine Revolution broke out, many able-bodied natives joined the nationalistic movement and fought the colonizer. They were known as the insurrectos and closely identified with the revolutionary movement called Katipunan.

Caviga-e is now today the poblacion of the town of Viga while Pueblo de San Jose de Oco became the Barangay San Jose today. The Barrio Oco was changed to Barangay San Jose with the passage of R.A. No. 5561 on June 21 of 1969.

St. Joseph the Worker Parish Church was founded in 1811 located in San Jose Oco.

Geography[]

San Jose Oco Rice Plantation

San Jose Oco is mostly rugged and mountainous terrain. The nearest prominent mountain forms with important significance include the ranges are Magkanumpor and Magsumoso. It has a vast area of rice paddies. It is among the agricultural barangay of the municipality of Viga, considered as the rice granary of the province. The two types of agricultural products raised are the food and crops. The food crops being raised are palay, corn, banana, camote and other root crops. The export crops are mainly Abacá. It is the principal source of livelihood by the Oconons.

Demography[]

According to 2010 Census,^[3] it has a population of 1,163 inhabitants, grew from 1,040 in Census 2007.^[4] August 2015 census the population grew for at least +0.33% making 1,183 total inhabitants.nscb

Viga Interior Barangays[]

Composed of 10 Barangays and has a total population of 8,425.

Barangay Officials[]

Former Elected Barangay Officials[]

Teniente Del Barrio/Cabesa de Barangay[]

Elected Officials 1945 - 1969

Former Barangay Captains (1970-2013)[]

Current Elected Barangay Officials[]

Barangay Captain

• Hon. Alex L. Alcantara

Sangguniang Barangay Members[]

Barangay Secretary

• Mrs. Rosalie O. Tumaque (Appointed)

Barangay Treasurer

• Mrs. Emily P. Tumaque(Appointed)

Education[]

Elementary School[]

List of public elementary schools in Viga Interior

National High School[]

The table below contains the list of all the public senior high schools found in Catanduanes published by the Department of Education or DepEd. Included on the list are the municipalities, school ID, school names, and program offerings.

San Jose Oco National High School is the only public school offering Senior High School curriculum in Viga Interior.

See also[]

• Viga, Catanduanes
• Catanduanes, Philippines
• Catanduanes State University

References[]