Tabaco

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
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	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	4511
Area code	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. 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.

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.

History

Etymology

When the Spanish conquistadores landed in Tabaco, they were met by an irate protective father who thought they were taking away his daughter. At the top of his voice he shouted to his family, “Tabak ko! Tabak ko!” (My bolo! My bolo!). His daughter came running with the bolo waving it to the Spaniards. The Spaniards thought that the fisherman was greeting and welcoming them to his land named “Tabaco.” Forthwith, they entered the word "Tabaco" in their catalogue as the name of the place they were exploring.

The Official Seal of the city was conceived from this legend of how the name “Tabaco” came about, and it was officially adopted through Municipal Council Resolution No. 29 on February 23, 1966.

Spanish Period

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.

American Period

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.

After Independence

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.

Geography

Topography

The City of Tabaco is located on the eastern coast of Albay province with an area of 117.14 km². 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.

Forest

Total forest area in Tabaco is 2,572 hectares.

Climate

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 pronounces warmness and humidity throughout the year with a mean temperature of 26.0 degrees Celsius and a humidity range up to 80%. February is the coldest month with a low of 21.0 degrees Celsius. The warmest temperature is experienced during the month of May with a mean temperature of 27.0 degrees Celsius.

People and Culture

Language / Dialect

Bicolano is the main language in Tabaco and in the region. Majority of the population speak Tagalog and English is widely understood. Other languages/dialects spoken are Spanish and Chinese.

Religion

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.

Events/Festival

• Charter Day or the Founding Anniversary of Tabaco as a city is celebrated yearly on March 24.
• Tabak Festival is a week-long celebration showcasing the city's cutlery industry. It is held the third week of March culminating with the founding anniversary of Tabaco.
• City Fiesta. In honor of the patron saint of Tabaco, St. John the Baptist, the city Fiesta in celebrated on June 24.

Tourism

Attractions or Places of Interest

Architecture

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. It was designated as National Landmark by PD. 260 on August 1, 1993.

Beaches and Resorts

• Dhio Endheka Spring Resort in Mayon Crossing, Buang
• Hacienda Long Beach Resort in Barangay Hacienda in San Miguel Island
• Jennifer’s Garden and Resort in Barangay Bantayan
• Natunawan Cove
• Punta Island Beach Resort in Barangay Rawis in San Miguel Island
• San Lorenzo Beach Resort in Barangay San Lorenzo
• Borcels Nature Springs in Barangay Marriroc
• Villa Azon in Barangay Matagbac

Educational

• Mayon Planetarium and Science Park in Buang is a planetarium with library, the virtual room, a mini-museum and an audiovisual hall.
• San Miguel Island Marine Fishery Reserve located in Sagurong, San Miguel Island.

Institutions

• Tabaco Port (International Port of Entry)
• Mayon Skyline Hotel and Convention Center in Buang. Formerly known as Mayon Resthouse, it is located on the northern slope of Mayon Volcano.

Economy

Agriculture

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.

International Seaport

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.

Fishing & Aquatic Resources

Shallow Fishing / Municipal / Sustenance – There are sixteen coastal barangays, five in the island of San Miguel and eleven in the mainland of the city.

Other Industries

• Woodcraft. Wood furniture and accessories manufacturing.
• Metal Craft. Tabak (bolo knife) manufacturing or cutlery, scissors, razors, farm implements, window grills, iron gates and tricycle sidecars
• Rattan Craft. Furniture and fixtures made from rattan.
• Ceramics Industry. Hollow blocks, toilet bowls, floor tiles and reinforced concrete pipes
• Hat & Mat Weaving made of from caragumoy leaves.
• Ship Repair and Building. Dry dock facility is available in Brgy. Salvacion.

Financial Institutions

National and regional banks that have offices in Tabaco

• Land Bank of the Philippines on Riosa St.
• Philippine National Bank at the corner of Ziga Ave. and Bonifacio St.
• Bank of the Philippine Island Ground Floor at the Cambare Bldg. on Ziga Ave.
• Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation on Ziga Ave.
• Bicol Development Bank on Riosa St.
• Equitable-PCI Bank on Ziga Ave.
• Metrobank at the corner of Llorente St. and Gen. Luna St.
• Legazpi Savings and Loan Bank on Ziga Ave.
• Banco de Oro on Ziga Ave,
• Producers Bank on A.A.Berces St.

Media

Newspaper Agencies

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:

• Bicol Reporter
• Bicol Tribune
• Naga Newsdays
• Peryodiko Bikol.

Radio Station

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:

• 91.3 FM One Radio at Chavez Bldg. on Ziga Ave.
• 102.7 Hot FM of the Airwaves Broadcasting Services.
• DWTC FM Radio.

TV Stations

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:

• Estevez Cable (ESTV) on Llorente St.
• Ultra Vision Cable TV on Happy Homes Subd. in Tagas.

Transportation

Roads

Roads are good in Tabaco and they are classified as follows:

• National Roads - 27.8 km.
• Provincial Roads - 48.47 km.
• Municipal Roads - 10.7855 km.
• Barangay Roads - 74.826 km.

Airport

The nearest airport is in Legazpi City - Legazpi Airport - about 30 kilometers from Tabaco City. Four commercial airline companies (Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, Zest Air & PAL) operate in the airport.

Seaport

The port of Tabaco City is one of the ports of entry open to overseas shipping in the province of Albay. It serves mainly 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:

• M/V Eugenia
• M/V Regina Calixta 2,3 and 4

Buses

The are regular transportation to and from Manila and to the other main cities in the Bicol Region. The following companies have bus stations in Tabaco:

• Cagsaua Travel & Tours
• Gold Line Tours, Inc.
• Philtranco
• Raymond Transportation
• RSL Bus Transport Corporation
• Tawtrasco
• Alps
• Antonina Line
• Mark Eves Transit
• JVH Transport
• A.Bragais Liner
• Bobis Liner
• R.U. Diaz Transit
• Belleza Line
• Irosin Tours
• ECSI
• TALEJODA
• Still Young Bus Co.

Other Forms of Transportion

• There are 632 Registered motorized tricycles with routes to different barangays and neighboring municipalities.
• The are over 2,000 Pedicabs for transportation within the poblacion.
• There are several Jeepney routes around the city or to anywhere in the province.

Education

Secondary School

• Bantayan National High School
• Bogñabong National High School
• Comon National High School
• Daniel B. Peña Memorial College Foundation
• Hacienda National High School
• Mariroc National High School
• San Antonio National High School
• San Isidro National High School
• San Miguel National High School
• San Lorenzo National High School
• St. Gregory the Great Seminary
• St. Louise de Marillac School
• Tabaco National High School
• Tabaco Pei Ching School

Tertiary / Vocational / Technical Schools

• Amando Cope College, School of Nursing in Baranghawon
• Bicol Maritime Technical Colleges Foundation on Rizal St.
• Bicol University Tabaco Campus in Tayhi
• Computer Communication Development Institute is located on Gen. Luna St.
• Daniel B. Peña Memorial College Foundation on Ziga Ave.
• Dr. Carlos S. Lanting College, Inc. / Casaul Technological College, Inc. in Tomas Cabiles Ave.
• Informatics Computer Institute is on the corner of Ziga Ave. and Karangahan Blvd.,
• Pacific Technical Institute in Tagas
• Perpetual Help Paramedical College in Tagas
• Polytechnic Institute of Tabaco in Panal
• Tabaco College on Tomas Cabiles Ave.

Utilities

Power

Two companies provide power to the city.

• Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO) in Matagbac, Tabaco City serves 35 of the 47 barangays of the town or 74% of the city.
• ASCO-Tabaco located in A.A. Berces Street, San Juan, Tabaco City serves the rest of the city.

Water

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.

Government Services

Waste Disposal

In dealing with solid waste disposal, 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, 4 km. distance from the central business district.

Fire Station

• The Tabaco City Fire Station, Bureau of Fire Protection is located on Ziga Ave. A total of fifteen fire officers serve in the local fire department, including the City Fire Marshall.
• The local mall (LCC) has its own volunteer fire brigade that helps the fire department in extending its services to the residents of Tabaco.
• Tabaco Chinese-Filipino Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Police & Law Enforcement

Tabaco Police Force

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.

PNP CID Regional Office

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.

Tabaco City Jail

The Tabaco City District Jail is situated at Burac St., San Lorenzo, Tabaco City, three kilometers away from the city proper. The jail structure is composed of six (6) operation cells. It is manned by two BJMP officers and twenty non-officer ranks.

City Government Officials

The table list the officials currently serving the city of Tabaco.

City Officials
City Mayor	Cielo Krisel Lagman-Luistro
City Vice-Mayor	Reynaldo "Rey" Bragais
City Coucilors	Luis Renir Burce
	Sheina Marie C. Onrubia
	Oscar Rocha
	Lourdes Belangel-Berces
	Ronnel Borromeo
	Nestor T. San Pablo
	Noel Que
	Leona Martirez
	Alfredo Adalla, Sr.
	Karen C. Matza
ABC President	Benjamin B. Bron
SKCF President	John Gio Ong Bongao

Department Heads
OIC City Administrator	Manuel B. Belen
City Treasurer	Veronica B. Barrameda
OIC City Budget Officer	Luis B. Melgar
OIC City Accountant	Preciosa Bautista
City Planning and Development Officer	Engr. Juan B. Berces
City Engineer	Engr. Noel S. Bonaobra
OIC City Assessor	Felipe Juan Imperia
OIC City Civil Registrar	Engr. Alex C. Binza
OIC City Agriculturist	Arsenio Onrubia
City Social Welfare and Development Officer	Carmenchita U. Dellova
City Health Officer	Dr. Audwin Azada
City Architect	Arch. Jaime B. Borlagdan
City Legal Officer	Atty. Renato B. Romano
Market Supervisor	Dominador Reynaldo Martirez

Barangay and barangay officials

Tabaco City is politically subdivided into 47 barangays. San Pedro became a barrio in 1952.

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 (San Miguel Island)	Odon B. Bobiles
Magapo	Regino B. Broncate
Mariroc	Rosita A. Cleofe
Matagbac	Reynaldo B. Borromeo
Oras	Vicente B. Burce
Oson	Clara B. Boringot
Panal	Oscar V. Breis, Sr.
Pawa	Felicito L. Bon
Pinagbobong	Reinerio B. Bonavente
Quinale Cabasan (Pob.)	Elmer Uy Gascon
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.)	Manolito P. Berces
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

External links

• Official web page
• Tabaco City profile on the Albay official website
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code