| City of Tabaco (Tabaco City) | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
| Nickname(s): City of Love, Padyak Capital of the Philippines | |
| Location of the City of Tabaco within the province of Albay | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | V (Bicol Region) |
| Province | Albay |
| Incorporated (town) | circa 1731 |
| Incorporated (city) / Cityhood | March 24, 2001 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Cielo Krisel Lagman-Luistro (Lakas-CMD) |
| Area | |
| • Land | 117.14 km2 (45.2 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 13 m (43 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 8 m (26 ft) |
| Population (2007) | |
| • Total | 123,513 |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+8) |
| ZIP code | 4511 |
| Area code(s) | 52 |
| City Class | Component City |
| Income Class | Fourth Class City |
| Website | The Official Website of Tabaco City, Albay |
Tabaco City is a 4th class city in the province of Albay in the Philippines. It is one of the three component cities of the province. The mainland part of the city is bordered by the town of Malinao to the north, the towns of Polangui and Oas to the west, Ligao City to the southwest, Malilipot town to the southeast, and Lagonoy Gulf to the east.[1] Beautifully symmetric Mayon Volcano, the most active volcano in the Philippines, lies south of the city. Tabaco is one of the eight towns and municipalities that share the volcano, dividing the peak like slices of a pie when viewed from above.
The island of San Miguel, the westernmost of the four main islands in the Lagonoy Gulf, falls under the jurisdiction of Tabaco. Five of the barangays of Tabaco are located on the island and a total of 47 barangays composed the city. According to the 2007 census, its total population is 123,513 people in 19,599 households.[2]
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It is not true that Tabaco got its name from "Tabak Ko" which mean "My Bolo", but from Tobacco or in Spanish "Tabaco", a primary product of the City in the pre-Hispanic period, unbeknownst to this fact, the Official Seal of the city was still conceived from the "Tabak Ko" legend, and was officially adopted through Municipal Council Resolution No. 29 on February 23, 1966.
According to the Estado Geografico Estadistico Historico written in 1805 by Father De Huerta, the recorded history of the city began in 1587 through the missionary work of the first Franciscan Fathers. In 1616, Fr. Pedro De Alcareso became the first permanent parish priest and established a church dedicated to St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of the city.
The first inhabitants settled along the seashore and engaged in fishing and crude farming. Due to the continuous attacks by the Moro raiders, the natives migrated to San Vicente and San Carlos, and started the foundation of the first poblacion in 1703, while the fishermen of the town transferred to the shores of the bay of what is now known as Barangay Cormidal. Under the administration of the first town executive, a church was built in Cormidal in 1731. Records on the elected capitan municipal [town mayor] started only in 1731 with Martin Aguirre listed as the first mayor of Tabaco.
In 1811, a terrible typhoon called Baguiong Oguis or White Typhoon brought havoc to the town. This was followed in 1814 by the most destructive eruption of the Mayon Volcano, which showered the areas with ashes and stone. These two events rendered many residents homeless and left the fields unproductive for many years after. It took a full decade for the people to recover, at which time they built a cemetery and laid the foundation of the present church which was completed in a period of 17 years.
Elias Ataviado, in his "Lucas y Libertad, Tomo 11", records that the Americans landed at Tabaco on February 9, 1900, under the command of Col. Walter Howe. With the coming of the Americans and the restoration of peace, after the war the Tabaqueños - the locals of Tabaco - started to rebuild their own.[3]
Another catastrophe to hit the town was Typhoon Trix in 1952, which completely submerged Natunawan Island. A 1964 fire razed the commercial center, and in 1970, another destructive storm, Typhoon Sening slashed through the town.
The incumbent mayor, Krisel Lagman-Luistro, is the 177th to hold the position. She introduced House Bill No. 7851, upgrading the municipality of Tabaco into a component city of the Province of Albay. Senate Bill No. 2244 was sponsored by Senators Sergio Osmeña III and Franklin Drilon as its counterpart in the Senate. The Republic Act No. 9020 converted the Municipality of Tabaco into a component city of the Province of Albay. It was signed into law by the president of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on February 5, 2001. The municipality was finally converted into a city after the plebiscite conducted on March 4, 2001.
The City of Tabaco is located on the eastern coast of Albay province with an area of 117.14 square kilometres (45.23 sq mi). The terrain in the poblacion or town center of Tabaco, is generally flat with the highest elevation at around 5 meters (16.4 feet). The northwestern portion reaches 400 meters above sea level. The city's southwest boundary reaches all the way to the top of Mayon at an elevation of 2,462 meters (8,077 ft)
San Miguel Island is almost entirely surrounded by groups of small hills with the highest elevation at about 35 metres (115 ft) above sea level.
Total forest area in Tabaco is 2,572 hectares (6,360 acres).
The City of Tabaco belongs to the Type II climate of the Philippines. It is characterized by no distinct dry season but with a very pronounced maximum rainfall from November to January.
The area has pronounced warmness and humidity throughout the year with a mean temperature of 26.0 °C (78.8 °F) and a humidity range up to 80%. February is the coldest month with a low of 21.0 °C (69.8 °F). The warmest temperature is experienced during the month of May with a mean temperature of 27.0 °C (80.6 °F).
Bicol-Naga is the main dialect in Tabaco and in the region. Majority of the population speak Tagalog and English is widely used. Other languages/dialects spoken are Spanish and Chinese.
Christianity is the predominant religion with Roman Catholicism with the biggest practitioners. Other Christian denominations are also present in the city like Protestants, Baptist, Philippine Independent Church, United Pentecostal Church, Members Church of God International and Iglesia ni Cristo. Islam and Buddhism also have followers in the city.
The Church of San Juan Bautista in San Juan, Tabaco City is one of the most impressive religious structures in the province of Albay. The construction of the present church started in 1864 and was completed in 1879. What makes this church unique among other Philippine churches are the stones used to build the church as they bear the distinct marks of the Masons.[6] It was designated as National Landmark by PD. 260 on August 1, 1993.
Its economy is still heavily dependent on agriculture. Hardship had made the residents strive harder, and the people are making the most of their bountiful natural resources, the sea, and the wide fertile plains. Major crops include rice, corn, root crops, vegetables, coconuts and abacá. Poultry and swine raising as well as fishing and other major industries such as cuttlery are very much alive.
Tabaco today is rapidly growing with a thriving commercial center and port area. The city has the sole International Seaport in the region contributing to the city's vibrant economy.
There are sixteen coastal barangays, five in the island of San Miguel and eleven in the mainland of the city.
National and regional banks that have offices in Tabaco
All the major national daily newspapers and magazines are available in the community. The major newspapers are transported to Tabaco via Daily Overland Corporation. There are four weekly regional newspapers circulating in the city namely:
The city receives signal from all the major radio stations from Legazpi City and even Naga City in Camarines Sur. FM Stations that originate from the city are:
There is one TV relay station operating in the city (ABS-CBN). However, local TVs get strong signals from nearby Legazpi City stations. Cable services are also offered in the area by two companies:
Roads are good in Tabaco and they are classified as follows:
The nearest airport is in Legazpi City - Legazpi Airport - about 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Tabaco City. Four commercial airline companies (Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, Zest Air and Philippine Airlines) operate in the airport.
The Port of Tabaco City is one of the ports of entry open to overseas shipping in the province of Albay. It also serves as a passenger and cargo movement facility to the islands of San Miguel, Cagraray, Batan and Rapu-Rapu as well as the Province of Catanduanes and the coastal town of Camarines Sur. The main Sea Transportation operators in the port are:
There are regular transportation to and from Manila and to the other main cities in the Bicol Region. Some bus companies with stations in Tabaco:
Two power companies provide electricity to the city.
Water supply is managed by the Tabaco Water District (TAWAD) located in Karangahan Blvd. Tabaco City. Its present service area encompasses the poblacion and 21 other barangays, serving about 25,000 people in 2,933 households presently connected to the system.[3]
In dealing with solid waste management, the City of Tabaco has adopted the usual means of dumping garbage in an open-pit dumpsite. Garbage is collected from each barangay in the poblacion daily. The city has four garbage trucks and four compactor to ensure that the garbage is collected and disposed in the waste disposal site located at Pinagbobong, about 4-kilometre (2.5 mi) distance from the central business district.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) Tabaco City Station is manned by five police officers and seventy-five police NCO’s (non-commissioned officers), located at Llorente St., at the back of the City Hall, headed by Police Chief Superintendent Jose Lipa Capinpin.
Assisting the city police in its drive against criminality is the PNP Criminal Investigation & Detection Group Tabaco Regional Sub-Office. The station is under the direct command of the Provincial Officer and serves the first district of Albay.
The Tabaco City District Jail is situated at Burac St., San Lorenzo, Tabaco City, 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) away from the city proper. The jail structure is composed of six (6) operation cells, manned by two BJMP officers and twenty non-officer ranks.
Tabaco City is politically subdivided into 47 barangays. San Pedro became a barrio in 1952.[8]
| Barangay | Barangay Captain |
|---|---|
| Agnas (San Miguel Island) | Vicente B. Bataller, Jr. |
| Bacolod | Danilo B. Brillantes |
| Bangkilingan | Jose C. Cepcon, Sr. |
| Bantayan | Arsenio B. Biglete |
| Baranghawon | Eduardo C. Borjal |
| Basagan | Elpidio G. Cao |
| Basud (Pob.) | Jaime E. Abaniel, Jr. |
| Bogñabong | Emerita B. Bognalos |
| Bombon (Pob.) | Luis Renir B. Burce |
| Bonot | Aurora B. Bariso |
| San Isidro | Antonio B. Corral |
| Buang | Eusebio B. Lorico |
| Buhian | Wenefredo B. Bronia |
| Cabagñan | Noel B. Bonaobra |
| Cobo | Wilson B. Bondoy |
| Comon | Flaviano B. Bueno |
| Cormidal | Maria Gracia B. Esmenda |
| Divino Rostro (Pob.) | Salvador V. Sabariza, Jr. |
| Fatima | Ruben V. Bualoy |
| Guinobat | Erwin B. Borlagdan |
| Hacienda | |
| Magapo | Regino B. Broncate |
| Mariroc | Mecilla Jarabe |
| Matagbac | Reynaldo B. Borromeo |
| Oras | Vicente B. Burce |
| Oson | Clara B. Boringot |
| Panal | Glenn B. Sanchez |
| Pawa | Felicito L. Bon |
| Pinagbobong | Reinerio B. Bonavente |
| Quinale Cabasan (Pob.) | Johnny Sia |
| Quinastillojan | Josefa B. Cestina |
| Rawis (San Miguel Island) | Preciosisima B. Tango |
| Sagurong (San Miguel Island) | Edwin B. Bora |
| Salvacion | Domingo B. Bataller |
| San Antonio | Asuncion B. Ranola |
| San Carlos | Virgilio Brinas |
| San Juan (Pob.) | Samuel C. Carinan |
| San Lorenzo | Felicitas B. Bongon |
| San Ramon | Danilo B. Bongalbal |
| San Roque | Elias B. Bobiles, Jr. |
| San Vicente | Severino B. Borromeo |
| Santo Cristo (Pob.) | Roderick P. Martires |
| Sua-Igot | Alberto B. Bronia |
| Tabiguian | Lorenzo B. Flores |
| Tagas | Leticia B. Saba |
| Tayhi (Pob.) | Arnulfo C. Onrubia |
| Visita (San Miguel Island) | Pedro B. Boboyo |
Official hymn of the city written and composed by Crispin Nacpil Cadiang. The words of this hymn was a collaboration with incumbent mayor Krisel Lagman-Luistro. This was first sang and played during the 10th Cityhood Anniversary of the city on March 24, 2011:
I.
From the heights and grandeur of Mayon
Unto the depths and soul of the sea
Rich with Nature's best, vast and fertile land
All the seeds of hope are sown
II.
Tested our blades were sharpened
Stronger faith, living hope, enduring love
Let us rise and walk tall and with pride let us move
Tabaqueños we are one
Chorus:
Go! Tabaco City
Grow! Tabaco City
Go Tabaqueño grow!
Let us heed the call
Let us raise our hands now
Pledge to work with love
Let one vision lead us on
In surpassing all
(Repeat Chorus)
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