Tabaco


Tabaco, officially the City of Tabaco, is a component city in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the, it has a population of people.

Etymology

According to native stories, the "Legend of Tabaco" was about a lost foreigner who asked the locals what the name of the place is. However a confused and frightened native whom the lost foreigner asked didn't understand what the lost foreigner was asking. The native screamed "Tabak ko!" meaning "My bolo" insinuating a person to get his tabak. The lost foreigner assumed that the native understood what he asked, then thought the name of the place is Tabaco.
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.

History

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 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 17 years.

American period and independence

The Americans landed at Tabaco on February 9, 1900, under the command of Col. Walter Howe. Despite the well-documented courage and patriotism of the Tabaqueños, the residents of Tabaco, the superior armaments and well-trained soldiers of the American army hastened its conquest of Tabaco and adjoining towns, starting the History of the [Philippines (1898–1946)|American rule] in the area.
With the restoration of peace after World War II, the Tabaqueños started rebuilding their lives and their land. By the time the Philippines gained Treaty of [Manila (1946)|independence] in 1946, Tabaco was once again a thriving town.

Other catastrophic events

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.

Cityhood

Then Representative Krisel Lagman-Luistro 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 President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on February 5, 2001. The municipality was finally converted into a city after the plebiscite conducted on March 24, 2001.

Local Government

Past municipal administrators

Inclusive yearsGobernadorcillo
1731Don Martin Aguirre
1732Don Gabriel Tabad
1733Don Pascual Payante
1734Don Francisco Lomalag
1735Don Bartolome Daguinot
1736Don Pedro Gauban
1737Don Antonio Mabangquiray
1738-1739Don Gabriel Tabad
1740-1741Don Antonio Mabangquiray
1742Don Felipe Tiangco
1743Don Gabriel Tabad
1744Don Antonio Mabangquiray
1745Don Sebastian Ortiz
1746-1750Don Juan Flores
1751Don Gabriel Tabad
1752-1753Don Juan Flores
1754-1755Don Manuel dela Cruz
1756-1757Don Hilario Gobarat
1758Don Pedro Manlagñit
1759Don Vicente Geronimo
1760-1762Unknown
1763-1765Don Jose Bacilio
1766Don Pedro Barajadia
1767Don Jose dela Torre
1768Don Felipe Poblete
1769Don Pedro Barajadia
1770Don Juan Gonzales
1771Don Lorenzo Magdaraog
1772Don Juan Gonzales
1773Don Jose dela Torre
1774Don Jose dela Virgen
1775-1776Don Pedro Barajadia
1777-1779Don Manuel dela Cruz
1780Don Pedro Esteban
1781Don Manuel dela Cruz
1782Don Pedro Esteban
1783Don Felix Geronimo
1784Don Felix Mendez
1785Don Andres Flores
1786Don Cornelio Delos Flores
1787Don Esteban Santelices
1788Don Jorge Geronimo
1789Don Cayetano de la Cruz
1790 - 1791Don Jorge Geronimo
1792Don Luis Amaro
1793Don Silvestre Valentin
1794Don Andres Flores
1795Don Evaristo Quintin Geronimo
1796Don Jose Fermin
1797Don Jose Madriaga
1798Don Felix Geronimo
1799Don Jorge Geronimo
1800Don Felix Geronimo
1801Don Pablo Geronimo
1802Don Manuel Bautista
1803Don Gervacio Clemente
1804Don Felix Geronimo
1805Don Pedro Atanacio
1806Don Jorge Geronimo
1807Don Gervacio Clemente
1808Don Bartolome Jorge
1809Don Gervacio Clemente
1810Don Francisco de la Torre
1811Don Evaristo Quintin Geronimo
1812Don Gervacio Clemente
1813Don Evaristo Quintin Geronimo
1814Don Felix Geronimo
1815Don Bernardino delos Santos
1816Don Juan de Dios
1817Don Martin Luciano
1818Don Bernardink delos Santos
1819Don Esteban Flores
1820Don Luis Beltran
1821Don Eustaquio de Vera
1822Don Felix Soriano
1823Don Sixto Mariano
1824Don Luis Silvestre
1825Don Sebastian Sales
1826Don Eustaquio de Vera and Rodrigo de Villa
1827Don Manuel de Mesa
1828Don Bernardino delos Santos
1829Don Vicente Fermin
1830Don Luciano Geronimo
1831Don Silvestre Sotero
1832Don Pedro Navarro
1833Don Silvestre Rodocendo
1834Don Agapito Flores
1835Don Antonio del Castillo
1836Don Eustaquio de Vera
1837Don Jose Romano
1838Don Leon del Castillo
1839Don Jose Rodocendo
1840Don Bernardino delos Santos
1841Don Juan del Rosario
1842Don Felipe del Rosario
1843Don Santiago del Rosario
1844Don Antonio del Castillo
1845Don Bernardino de Vera
1846Don Silvestre Bonifacio
1847Don Luis Imperial
1848Don Crisanto dela Virgen
1849Don Antonio delos Santos
1850Don Balbino Corral
1851Don Joaquin Bufi
1852Don Antonio Celon
1853Don Ceferino Borbe
1854Don Ramon Baldonado
1855Don Placido Bongon
1856Don Gavino Corral
1857Don Ramon Baldonado
1858Don Lauriano Brucelas
1859Don Antonio Celon
1860Don Pedro Calla
1861Don Calixto Bono
1862Don Tomas Borondia
1863-1864Don Martin Bonafe
1865-1866Don Saturnino Sagubia
1867-1870Don Andres Ordoñes
1871-1872Don Apolinario Brucelas
1873Don Fausto Bombase
1874Don Juan Bien
1875-1876Don Rodocendo Zamora
1877-1880Don Custodio Bobis
1881-1882Don Mariano Villanueva
1883-1884Don Domingo Bardonada
1885-1886Don Valentin Brimbuela
1887-1888Don Eriberto Berces
1889Don Mariano Villanueva
1890-1891Don Toribio Poblete
1892Don Isidro Santillan
1893-1894Don Francisco Almonte
1895-1898Don Agustin Zamora

Inclusive yearsMunicipal presidentMunicipal vice-president
August 14, 1898 - June, 1901Manuel Medina Timoteo Bueno

Inclusive yearsPortraitMunicipal presidentMunicipal vice-presidentNotes
1900Toribio Poblete
1901Manuel Medina
1902-1903Agustin Zamora-
1904–1905Juan Bongon
1906-1908T. Buenconsejo
1909 – 1911Agustin Zamora
1912 – 1913Juan Bongon
1914 - 1916Calixto Brucelas
1917 - 1921Victoriano Poblete
1922Juan Bongon
1923Calixto Brucelas
1924-1926Victoriano Poblete
1927 - 1934Bernardino Santillan
1935 - 1937Victor Bocaya
1938 - 1941Bernardino Santillan

Inclusive yearsPortraitMunicipal Mayor
1941 - 1943Felipe Manalang
1943 - 1944Pacifico Buenconsejo
1944 Conrado Bootan
1944 Emiterio Manga
1944 Pacifico Buenconsejo
1945 - August 1945Apolonio Bocalbos

Inclusive yearsPortraitMunicipal MayorMunicipal Vice MayorSK Federation PresidentAssociation of [Barangay Councils|ABC] PresidentRemarks
September 29, 1945 – June 13, 1946Brigido BobisTomas Cabiles Acting Mayor, Appointed by Pres. Sergio Osmeña
June 14, 1946 – 1947Andres RiosAppointed by Pres. Manuel Roxas
1947 – December 30, 1951Tomas Cabiles
January 1, 1952 – December 30, 1955Apolonio Bocalbos
January 1, 1956 - December 30, 1959Tomas Cabiles
January 1, 1960 - December 30, 1965Antonio Berces
January 1, 1965 - December 30, 1967Apolonio Buban
January 1, 1968 – 1975Leticia BercesFirst Female Mayor in Tabaco and in all Albay province
1976 – 1980Salvador MoranOIC
1981 - March 1986Jaime Berces
1986Jaime BobisAppointed Mayor by Pres. Corazon Aquino
1986 and 1987 Johny RochaAppointed Mayor by Pres. Corazon Aquino
1987 – June 30, 1998Antonio O. Demetriou
June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007Atty. Alex A. Burce
June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2013Cielo Krisel B. Lagman-LuistroReynaldo B. Bragais
June 30, 2013 - June 30, 2016Maria Josefa V. DemetriouReynaldo B. Bragais
June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2025Cielo Krisel B. Lagman-LuistroNestor T. San Pablo
Term Starts on June 30, 2025Reynaldo B. BragaisBaby Glenda O. BongaoMayor Elect

Geography

The City of Tabaco is located on the eastern coast of Albay province with an area of. The terrain in the poblacion or town center of Tabaco is generally flat with the highest elevation at around. The northwestern portion reaches above sea level. The city's southwest boundary reaches all the way to the top of Mayon at an elevation of.
Tabaco is one of the three component cities of the province, along with Legazpi and Ligao. 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 to the southwest, Malilipot town to the southeast, and Lagonoy Gulf to the east. The symmetric Mayon Volcano, the most active volcano in the Philippines, lies south of the city. Tabaco is one of the eight towns and cities that share jurisdiction on the volcano, dividing the peak like slices of a pie when viewed from above. It is from Legazpi City and from Manila.
The island of San Miguel, the westernmost of the four main islands in Lagonoy Gulf, falls under the jurisdiction of Tabaco. Five of the barangays of the city are located on the island for a total of 47 barangays composing the city.
Total forest area in Tabaco is.

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 pronounced warmness and humidity throughout the year with a mean temperature of and a humidity range up to 80%. February is the coldest month with a low of. The warmest temperature is experienced during May with a mean temperature of.

Barangays

Tabaco City is politically subdivided into 47 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
There are sixteen coastal barangays, five on the island of San Miguel and eleven in the mainland of the city. San Pedro became a barrio in 1952.
  • Agnas
  • Bacolod
  • Bangkilingan
  • Bantayan
  • Baranghawon
  • Basagan
  • Basud
  • Bogñabong
  • Bombon
  • Bonot
  • Buang
  • Buhian
  • Cabagñan
  • Cobo
  • Comon
  • Cormidal
  • Divino Rostro
  • Fatima
  • Guinobat
  • Hacienda
  • Magapo
  • Mariroc
  • Matagbac
  • Oras
  • Oson
  • Panal
  • Pawa
  • Pinagbobong
  • Quinale Cabasan
  • Quinastillojan
  • Rawis
  • Sagurong
  • Salvacion
  • San Antonio
  • San Carlos
  • San Isidro
  • San Juan
  • San Lorenzo
  • San Ramon
  • San Roque
  • San Vicente
  • Santo Cristo
  • Sua-Igot
  • Tabiguian
  • Tagas
  • Tayhi
  • Visita

Demographics

Language and dialect

is the primary language in Tabaco and the region. The majority of people speak the Tabaqueño Dialect derived from Coastal Bicol. Although Bicolano Viejo is also spoken, it has fallen out of mainstream use and has since been reduced to the status of sociolect as only very few members of Tabaco's oldest and more affluent families still use it. As in most parts of the Philippines, Filipino and English are spoken and afforded official language status. Spanish, Hiligaynon, Cebuano, Arabic, Cantonese, Hokkien and Mandarin are also spoken owing to Tabaco's significant migrant and mestizo populations.

Religion

is the predominant religion with Roman Catholicism with the most number of practitioners. Other Christian denominations are also present in the city like Protestants, Baptist, Philippine Independent Church, United Pentecostal Church, Evangelical Christian and Iglesia ni Cristo. Islam, Mormonism, Hinduism, Jainism, Wicca, Modern Paganism and Buddhism also have followers in the city.

Economy

Agriculture

Its economy is still heavily dependent on agriculture. Major crops include rice, corn, cacao, pili, root crops, vegetables, coconuts and abacá. Poultry and livestock raising as well as aquaculture and fishing are very much alive.

International seaport

Tabaco is growing and has a commercial center and port area. The city has the sole International Seaport in the region.

Local fishport

Situated in Barangay Fatima and San Roque. Which serves as the trading area of products, from neighboring islands in San Miguel, Bacacay, and Rapu-Rapu.

Other industries

  • Woodcraft. Wood furniture and accessories manufacturing.
  • Metal Craft. Tabak 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 from Paraguay leaves.
  • Ship Repair and Building. Dry dock facility is available in Barangay Salvacion.
  • Padyak, Trucks, Bus and AUV Manufacturing

Tourism

Places of interest

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 1750. It was designated a National Historic Landmark by PD. 260 on August 1, 1973.
Beaches and resorts:
Historical:
  • Angela Manalang Gloria Ancestral House at Quinale
Educational:
Institutions:
  • Tabaco Port
  • Mayon Skyline Hotel and Convention Center in Buang. Formerly known as Mayon Resthouse, it is located on the northern slope of Mayon Volcano.

Events and 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 is celebrated on June 24.

Transportation

Roads

Roads in Tabaco are classified as follows:
  • National roads –
  • Provincial roads –
  • Municipal roads –
  • Barangay roads –

Airport

The nearest airport is in Daraga – Bicol International Airport – about from Tabaco City.

Seaport

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 provinces of Catanduanes and Camarines Sur. The main Sea Transportation operators in the port are:
  • M/V Eugenia
  • M/V Regina Calixta 2, 3 and 4

Buses

There is regular transportation to and from Manila and to the other main cities in the Bicol Region.

Others

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

Public services

; Waste disposal:
In dealing with solid waste management, the City of Tabaco has adopted the usual means of dumping garbage in an open-pit landfill. Garbage is collected from each barangay in the Poblacion daily. The city has four garbage trucks and four compactors to ensure that the garbage is collected and disposed of in the waste disposal site located at Pinagbobong, about distance from the central business district.
; Fire protection:
  • 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 has its volunteer fire brigade that helps the fire department in extending its services to the residents of Tabaco.
  • Tabaco Chinese-Filipino Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Police and law enforcement

; Tabaco Police Force: The Philippine National Police Tabaco City Station is staffed by five police officers and seventy-five police NCOs, located at Llorente St., at the back of the City Hall, headed by Police Chief Superintendent Jose Lipa Capinpin. Police headquarters is now located in front of the Central Terminal, Pawa, Tabaco City
; 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, away from the city proper. The jail structure is composed of six operation cells, staffed by two BJMP officers and twenty non-officer ranks.

Utilities

; Power:
Two power companies provide electricity to the city.
  • Albay Power Electric Cooperative inc 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.
  • The office of Albay Power Electric Cooperative in Tabaco City is Located in J.B Berces street/Rizal street, Bacolod/Tayhi Tabaco City.
; Water:
Water supply is managed by the Tabaco Water District 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.

Notable personalities