Daraga, Albay

Daraga, officially the Municipality of Daraga (Central Bicolano: Banwaan kan Daraga; Tagalog: Bayan ng Daraga), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 126,595 people.[3]

This article is about a municipality in the Philippines. For the former United States Navy patrol boat, see USS Daraga (SP-43).
Daraga
Municipality
Municipality of Daraga
Daraga Church with Mayon Volcano in the background
Map of Albay with Daraga highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Daraga
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 13°09′43″N 123°41′38″E
Country Philippines
RegionBicol Region (Region V)
ProvinceAlbay
District2nd district
FoundedJune 12, 1772
Barangays54 (see Barangays)
Government
 [1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorVictor U. Perete
 • Vice MayorGerry Raphael Z. Jaucian Jr.
 • CongressmanJose Ma. Clemente "Joey" S. Salceda
 • Electorate75,413 voters (2019)
Area
 [2]
 • Total118.64 km2 (45.81 sq mi)
Population
 (2015 census)[3]
 • Total126,595
 • Density1,100/km2 (2,800/sq mi)
 • Households
27,551
Demonym(s)Daragueño
Economy
 • Income class1st municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence17.23% (2015)[4]
 • Revenue (₱)275,468,829.84 (2016)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
4501
PSGC
050503000
IDD : area code +63 (0)52
Climate typetropical rainforest climate
Native languagesAlbay Bikol language
Tagalog
Websitewww.daraga.gov.ph

The town is home to the landmark Cagsawa Ruins.

History

The word daraga historically referred to a "maiden", and is the modern term for an "unmarried woman" in many of the Bikol languages. The original settlement of Daraga dates back to 12th century, but has changed location repeatedly due to the constant threats posed by Mayon Volcano. The town was previously named Budiao, Cagsawa, and Locsin.

Year Event
12th c. Early settlers were mostly traders. The name Daraga came from a type of tree that was abundant on the hill where a baroque Catholic church now stands.
1578 Franciscan missionaries arrive, and christen the place Budiao, later renaming it to Cagsawa.
1595 Cagsawa becomes a visita (satellite mission station) attached to the town of Camalig.
1772 Governor-General Simón de Anda renames Cagsawa to Salcedo, which is later renamed Daraga.
1814 Town is destroyed in the deadliest eruption of Mayon Volcano, killing 1,200 people that sought refuge inside the church.
1815 Government for Daraga is formally organized, with Venancio Espíritu Salomon as Barangay Captain.
1892 Under the Becerra Law, Daraga becomes a constituent of Legazpi City.
1922 Daraga regains its autonomy when the Philippine Assembly ordered the partition of Daraga from Albay, composed of Albay and Legazpi City.
1948 Under Republic Act 306, Daraga is again incorporated into Legazpi as one of its districts.[5]
1954 Republic Act 993 officially recreates the Municipality of Daraga.[6]
1959 Daraga renamed to Locsin, through Republic Act No. 2505.[7]
1967 Republic Act 4994 restores the name Daraga.[8]
1973 Under Presidential Decree 125, Daraga is again incorporated as part of Legazpi City;[9] implementation of decree was suspended.
1993 Daraga adjudged the 'cleanest and greenest' municipality in Bicol.
2001 Mayon Volcano erupts in June, blanketing the town with an inch of ash.
2002 Municipal government finishes construction of modern supermarket.
2006 Mudflows from Mayon Volcano, triggered by heavy rains from Typhoon Reming (international name: Durian) buried at least eight villages. More than 20,000 Individuals were evacuated, and thousands lost their homes.
2007 The National Museum declared the town's 400-year-old Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church a national cultural treasure.
2008 Daraga experiences economic boom with the opening of several national food chains and the opening of LCC Supermarket.
2010 The government of Daraga negotiates for the establishment of the Bicol International Airport in the town, with the proposed construction site in Barangay Alobo.
2012 Daraga holds first ever Cagsawa Festival in February.
2016 Daraga became the first applicant for cityhood in the 17th congress.[10]

Geography

Daraga is located at 13°09′43″N 123°41′38″E, in the south-west portion of Albay province, along the Maharlika Highway, making it accessible from Manila, the Visayas, and the other municipalities of eastern Bicol Peninsula. It is roughly "boot-shaped", with the "tall" part ranging 13.05–13.25° north latitude and 123.66–123.73° east longitude and the "wide" part ranging 13.02–13.09° north latitude and 123.56–123.71° east longitude. It is bounded on the north and east by Legazpi City, south by Sorsogon (particularly the municipality of Pilar), and west by Camalig and Jovellar.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 118.64 square kilometres (45.81 sq mi) [2] constituting 4.61% of the 2,575.77-square-kilometre- (994.51 sq mi) total area of Albay. This municipal land area is distributed among the present 16 urban barangays and 42 rural barangays. The urban barangays total 1,500 hectares (3,700 acres) (12.65%) and the rural barangays make up the remaining 10,360 hectares (25,600 acres) (87.35%) of the total municipal land area.[11]

Elevation

67.3% of the total municipal land area has a predominantly low elevation of up to 100 metres (330 ft). The surface terrain is generally characterized by combination of level to nearly level areas, gentle to undulating areas and undulating to rolling areas.

Soil

The different soil types to be found within Daraga are the Mayon Gravelly Sandy Loam, Annam Clay Loam, Gravelly Sandy Loam, Legazpi Fine Sandy Loam (Stoney Phase), Sevilla Clay Loam and Sevilla Clay.

The underlying geology are made up of several types: Alluvium, Shale and Sandstone Limestone and Basalt and Andesite Series. The prevalent geologic type is the Shale and Sandstone Sequence and other equally significant geologic types such as alluvium. Recent Volcanic, Crystalline Limestone and Psyroclastine Limestone are found near the base of Mayon Volcano mostly in the urban barangays.

Minerals available within the municipality of Daraga are non-metallic consisting of Gravel, and Boulders. These minerals are abundant in Barangays Budiao, Busay, Bañadero and Matnog brought down from the slopes of Mayon Volcano during occurrences of volcanic eruptions and rains.

Drainage

The surface drainage pattern of Daraga is largely affected by the water runoff coming from Mayon Volcano coupled with those from other directions. Major river systems which convey and act as natural drainage channels as well as water source include:

  1. Yawa River in Barangay Cullat, Malobago, Kilicao, Tagas, Binitayan & Bañag which connects to the Albay Gulf in Legazpi City
  2. Colabos Creek in Bañag, San Roque, Market Area, Sagpon, and Bagumbayan
  3. Quillarena River in Malabog & Budiao
  4. Gumacon Creek in Barangay Maroroy, Tagas
  5. Gulang-Gulang Creek in Barangay Pandan

Climate

Daraga has a generally wet climate characterized by a lack of dry season. Maximum rainfall is from November to January, and average monthly rainfall is 223.4 millimetres (8.80 in). Prevailing winds are generally from north-east to south-west. Average temperature is 27.0 °C (80.6 °F).[11]

But the climate change phenomenon has changed the past climate pattern. Dry spells are becoming more pronounced, as it is with the wet season. The phenomenon is felt all over the country as well.

Climate data for Daraga, Albay
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 27
(81)		 28
(82)		 29
(84)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 30
(86)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 28
(82)		 29
(84)
Average low °C (°F) 22
(72)		 21
(70)		 22
(72)		 23
(73)		 24
(75)		 25
(77)		 25
(77)		 25
(77)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 23
(73)		 22
(72)		 23
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 65
(2.6)		 44
(1.7)		 42
(1.7)		 39
(1.5)		 87
(3.4)		 150
(5.9)		 184
(7.2)		 153
(6.0)		 163
(6.4)		 154
(6.1)		 127
(5.0)		 100
(3.9)		 1,308
(51.4)
Average rainy days 13.9 9.2 11.1 12.5 19.6 24.3 26.5 25.0 25.5 24.4 19.4 15.1 226.5
Source: Meteoblue [12]

Barangays

Daraga is politically subdivided into 54 barangays.[13]

Barangay Population (2010)[14] Area (ha)[15] Class Barangay head
Alcala 2,755 116.18 Rural Ester L. Llandeza
Alobo 792 160.65 Rural Dexter L. Marmol
Anislag 9,445 858.50 Urban Elmer Lodronio
Bagumbayan 3,254 132.54 Urban Mark C. Magalona
Balinad 2,230 153.74 Urban Darren Maceda
Bañadero 1,637 204.00 Rural Archie Bajamundi
Bañag 2,719 27.35 Urban Gayzel M. Cardiño
Bascaran 3,946 423.00 Urban Julius L. Duran
Bigao 1,015 296.08 Rural Salvador Miravalles
Binitayan 4,257 24.06 Urban Celilia A. Arevalo
Bongalon 1,123 73.48 Rural Ferelyn M. Seva
Budiao 271 290.07 Rural Jefferson M. Mapula
Burgos 1,122 148.67 Rural (Urban) Pilar L Llanera 
 2017–Present
Busay 1,684 213.79 Rural Salvyn Mandane
Canarom 501 247.36 Rural Efren M. Llasos
Cullat 1,460 30.78 Rural Luis D. Espejo
de la Paz 773 73.19 Rural Maria L. Marjalino
Dinoronan 608 61.07 Rural Hirfa M. Espadilla
Gabawan 1,983 93.18 Rural Roberto C. Obispo
Gapo 1,982 389.25 Rural Jesus M. Magdaong Jr
Ibaugan 546 179.00 Rural Raul Ll. Malto
Ilawod 1,987 18.42 Urban Cecil Mirabete
Inarado 1,694 682.22 Rural Rommel N. Marticio
Kidaco 1,205 116.03 Rural Nelson Magallano
Kilicao 3,925 379.43 Urban Eriberto M. Madrona
Kimantong 1,980 20.98 Urban Ramon D. Paran Jr.
Kinawitan 405 78.46 Rural Eduardo N. Lubiano
Kiwalo 1,160 57.65 Rural Janet L. Lorilla
Lacag 2,321 383.86 Rural Arthur L. Llabore Sr.
Mabini 581 124.83 Rural Ranulfo N. Llorera
Malabog 4,099 287.46 Rural Paulo Montallana
Malobago 492 61.56 Rural William Marbella
Maopi 1,166 252.95 Rural Alex M.LoteriÑA
Market Area 2,538 20.82 Urban Wilfredo N. Nayve
Maroroy 5,331 73.60 Urban Robinson "toto" Lubiano
Matnog 1,680 270.15 Rural Bonifacio M. Odiver
Mayon 1,759 356.70 Rural Adoracion Blazo
Mi-isi 1,028 518.20 Rural Elmer A. Lorica
Nabasan 506 552.14 Rural Menche A. Llamasares
Namantao 1,538 363.07 Rural Danilo Llaneta
Pandan 1,683 94.32 Rural Rosalito Cimanes
Peñafrancia 2,986 193.74 Urban Jose M. Lobas
Sagpon 5,723 29.62 Urban Loreto Barajas
Salvacion 3,344 551.61 Rural Nelson N. Mabini
San Rafael 296 32.64 Rural Alodea M. Lisay
San Ramon 1,441 784.99 Rural Aidar L. Llaguno
San Roque 4,308 41.97 Urban Gina Callada
San Vicente Grande 961 346.57 Rural Elena M. Vibar
San Vicente Pequeño 320 63.67 Rural Jesus Oarde
Sipi 3,454 38.92 Urban Dexter Billy M. Lorica
Tabon-Tabon 2,588 207.99 Rural Ric M. Rodrigueza
Tagas 6,527 100.45 Urban Cherry M. Mayor
Talahib 541 341.93 Rural Nieves M. Jacob
Villahermosa 2,203 414.71 Rural Eladio L. Rodrigueza

Demographics
Population census of Daraga
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 18,695—    
1939 29,484+1.27%
1960 41,973+1.70%
1970 58,335+3.34%
1975 63,265+1.64%
1980 73,224+2.97%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 83,928+1.37%
1995 91,829+1.70%
2000 101,031+2.07%
2007 110,625+1.26%
2010 115,804+1.68%
2015 126,595+1.71%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[3][14][16][17]

In the 2015 census, Daraga had a population of 126,595.[3] The population density was 1,100 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,800/sq mi).

In 2010, the 2010 municipal population of 115,804 was distributed among the urban and rural Barangays. The urban population was 48.54% while rural population completed the remaining 51.45%. The "built-up density" was 5,659 persons/km2. It had a literacy rate of 96.08% and a municipality growth rate of 1.3%.

In terms of employment and livelihood, farming ranks high at 33.53%, crafts and related workers as well as elementary occupations follow second with 17.71% and 21.89% respectively.

Language

The languages spoken in Daraga include East Miraya (Daragueño), Bicol, Tagalog, and English.

Economy
The tower is what remains of the Cagsawa Church, which was buried by the 1814 eruption of Mayon Volcano.

Daraga's economy, originally agriculture-based, has rapidly transformed into an emerging urban system, benefiting from the economic opportunities of being located contiguously with the urban center of Legazpi. It draws trade relations with the island province of Masbate through the nearby Port of Pilar.

Daraga will be the site of the future Bicol International Airport which will further boost tourism in the region and will introduce more opportunities especially in this town. Local officials are now considering cityhood in the near future or upon the completion of the said international airport, if that so, Daraga would be the fourth city in Albay.

Daraga has the highest number of business establishments among towns in Albay. As of 2011 it has over 2,300 business establishments registered with the Permits and Licensing Office. The town is a center of handicraft manufacturing with several handicraft factories choosing their location in the municipality.

Government

The present town mayor is Victor U. Perete.

Tourism
Our Lady of the Gate Parish or Daraga church

Daraga's existing tourist spots/attractions are the Cagsawa Ruins and Resort and Our Lady of the Gate Parish.

Cagsawa Ruins and Resort is located in Barangay Busay. Its prominent attraction is the Belfry of the Cagsawa Church which submerged in mudflow during the February 2, 1814 Mayon Volcano Eruption which killed 1,200 people.

The Our Lady of the Gate Parish was constructed in 1773 atop Santa Maria Hill in barangay San Roque and is uniquely known for its rich baroque architecture.

Transportation

Daraga has a total Road Network of about 129.01 kilometres (80.16 mi). This is categorized either as National Roads, Provincial Roads, Municipal Roads and Barangay Roads. These barangay Roads comprised the bulk of the municipality road network system. About 24.97% are concrete paved while the remaining 75.03% remains in Asphalt, Gravel of Earth fill pavement conditions. These are about 25 bridges within the municipality and 66.22% of which are within barangay roads while the other bridges are part of national, provincial of barangay roads.

Education

Elementary

Each barangay in town has an elementary school.

High school
  • Anislag National High School
  • Anislag National High School - Bascaran HS Extension
  • Anislag National High School - San Vicente Grande HS Extension
  • Banadero National High School
  • Bicol College (BC) - High School Department.
  • Daraga National High School (DNHS)
  • Immaculate Concepcion College of Albay (ICCA) - High School Department
  • Kilicao High School
  • Lacag National High School
  • Malabog National High School
  • Mary's Child Science Oriented School (MCSOS) - High School Department
  • United Institute (U.I.) - High School Department

College
  • Bicol University – Daraga
  • Belen B. Francisco Foundation Inc.
  • Bicol College (BC)
  • Daraga Community College (DComC)
  • Immaculate Concepcion College of Albay (ICCA)

References
  1. "Municipality". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  2. "Province: Albay". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  3. Census of Population (2015). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  4. "PSA releases the 2015 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Quezon City, Philippines. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  5. "Republic Act No. 306 - An Act Creating the City of Legaspi". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. 18 June 1948. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  6. "Chan Robles Virtual Law Library". Republic Act No. 993 - An Act Recreating the Municipalities of Legaspi and Daraga in the Province of Albay. 8 June 1954. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  7. "Republic Act No. 2505 - An Act Changing the Name of the Municipality of Daraga, Province of Albay, to Municipality of Locsin". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. 21 June 1959. Archived from the original on 3 June 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  8. "Republic Act No. 4994 - An Act Changing the Name of the Municipality of Locsin, Province of Albay, to Municipality of Daraga". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. 17 June 1967. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  9. "Presidential Decree No. 125; Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act No. 2234, Otherwise Known As the City Charter of Legazpi, and For Other Purposes". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Malacañang, Manila, Philippines. 5 February 1973. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  10. Basmayor, MV. "Daraga is first applicant for cityhood in 17th Congress". Bicol Standard. Archived from the original on 20 October 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  11. "General Information". About the LGU. Municipal Government of Daraga. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  12. "Daraga, Albay : Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  13. "Municipal: Daraga, Albay". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  14. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  15. Daraga Municipal Planning and Development Office
  16. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. NSO.
  17. "Province of Albay". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.

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