Municipality of Milaor - Official Website

Historical Antecedents.

The Consanguieous ties that tether the native families residing in this municipality traces back the bloodline that definitely indicated that a single lineage prospered into a political unit after its union to a group of pioneering families and brought forth the establishment of a settlement or a "RANCHERA". During the Spanish period to this settelement located in a lowland area was known as "MAYLAUD" which was to be nkown later as barrio "MAYAOPAYAWAN" The area as described was accessible through the BITOGAN and MARAPONG rivers which was about four (4) klometers south of Naga. Its name was derived from "LAUD" which locally means a body of water.

Bicol was the first t accept the new faith of Christianity in the entire area of Luzon its was Captian Luis Enriquez in 1569 and Andres Ibarra in 1570 who brought shadow of the Christian Cross in Sorsogon, Camalig, Bato, and Nabua passing by the straits of Mabate, Tikao and Burias. The next to rearch Bicol was the expedition of Captain Salcedo and Pedro de Chavez in the year 1573, fleeting another route via Tayabas, Quezon, Camarines Norte and taking the San Miguel Bay, the Bicol River and proceeding directly to the settlement of Bato and established Santiago de Libon of Albay at the banks of Lake Bato. On their return trip from Bato, Captain Sacedo and Chavez found and occupied the settlement of Milaor and Naga.

Side by side with spread o Christianity was the developement of the settlement into parishes which were considered by the Spaniards during that time as political units or "PUEBLOS" In 1586 Pope Sixtus VI and King Philip II formally assigned the Bicol area to the Franciscans who stayed in Bicol until the American occupation.

In 1585 "MILAUD" was declared a parish under the Titular, Saint Joseph the Patriarch. Fray Pedro Matias de Andrade was the first administrator and later became the fift (5th) Bishop of the See of Nueva Caceres and died in 1613. Milaud area at that time included the Municipalities of Palestina, Minalabac, San Fernando, and Gainza. In 1862 San Fernando and Gainza were likewise declared dependent parishes by late Bishop Gainza.

The name "MAYLAUD" after a long generation metamorphosed into "MILAUD" and finally corrupted into its new name "MILAOR". After the declaration of 1885 the construction of a oncrete chapel was satarted of what is now known as "SINBAHAN" geographically located in Cabogao, where the concrete foundation may still be found. From the frequent attacks launched by the CIMARONES and the TULISANES originating from the nearby areas of Mt. Isarog, the Spanish authorities decided to transfer the church into its present site opposite the west bank of the Bicol River. In 1725 the construction of the present church was started and completed after 15 years (1740). However, its belfry tower was only completed in the year 1840 after 100 years. In the year 1820 Naga Cathedral was constructed and located near Tabuco bridge at the bank of the Naga River, where the present Supermarket now stands. The Bishop's residence called the "PLACE" and the "CASA DE CLERIGOS" (Seminary) were located block bounded by the present Gen. Luna and Padian streets until they were relocated at their present sites by Bishop Bernardo dela Concepcion, the 21st Bishop of the
See of Nueva Caceres (1816 1829), Naga Cathedral was inaugurated on April 27, 1843, three years after the completion
of the Milaor leaning belfry tower in 1840.

Forten and a half centuries the church of Milaor endured the numerous destructive tests of nature, but until this time the church and its leaning tower still stands, a mighty reminder of the Christian revolution in the municipality. The church which has corrugeted walls and plstered foundations still accepts devotees of its Patron Saint.

Indeed, nature has graciously "smiled" at the town of Milaor which s situated at the basin portion of Camarines Sur. The place where water easily collects in time of incessants rains. Being lowland, inundation becomes habitual ocurence in some areas of the municipality in the interim of the wet season.

But while there are many who abhor such condition, there are sectors, however, that bear upon it as bleasings. For upland farmers, the inundation readily provides irrigation. For the local fisherman, they regard the coming of the wet season as an opportunity for the "big catch". As a basin area, Milaor is haven to quality of fresh water fishes.

The vast rice padies make Milaor predominantly an agricultural community. Ninety percent (90%) of the land are cultivated to rice wich is the town's primary product. The others are corn,coconut, rootcrops, vegetables and bamboos. Though Milaor has an undersized land area, yet it maintains a hefty 900 metric tons annual production of rice contributing substantial to the grain requirments of the province, a feat that has continuosly surpassed other noted agricultural town in Camarines Sur.

While Milaor is basically an agricultural community, a large portion of the people's income is derived from business and earnings from the pursuits of calling or profession.

The Municipality has a high incidence of professionals which could be attributed to the constituents' lofty value for education. Other Milaorians have found job abroad and they have contributed more over to the local government's coffers.

The great influence of our ancestral customs and traditions has for the years lived deeply rooted in the way of life of the people of Milaor. Religious, respectful of the elders, strong family ties and infused with the warmth of hospitality which is easly felt within its bounderies. A stranger in the place will never feel lost because of the friendliness and cheerful disposition of the inhabitants.