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Tabaco

Coordinates: 13°21′N 123°44′E / 13.35°N 123.73°E / 13.35; 123.73
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Tabacco.

Tabaco
Component city
City of Tabaco
Tabaco Park and municipal hall in the background
Tabaco Park and municipal hall in the background
Flag of Tabaco
Flag
Official seal of Tabaco
Seal
Nickname: 
City of Love
Anthem: Tabaco City Hymn
Map of Albay with Tabaco highlighted
Map of Albay with Tabaco highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Map
Tabaco is located in Philippines
Tabaco
Tabaco
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 13°21′N 123°44′E / 13.35°N 123.73°E / 13.35; 123.73
CountryPhilippines
RegionBicol Region
ProvinceAlbay
District 1st district
Founded1731
CityhoodMarch 24, 2001
Barangays47 (see Barangays)
Government
 [2]
 • TypeSangguniang Panlungsod
 • MayorCielo Krisel Lagman-Luistro[1]
 • Vice MayorNestor San Pablo[1]
 • RepresentativeEdcel Lagman
 • City Council
Members
 • Electorate80,465 voters (2022)
Area
[3]
 • Total117.45 km2 (45.35 sq mi)
Elevation
168 m (551 ft)
Highest elevation
2,444 m (8,018 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[4]
 • Total140,961
 • Density1,200/km2 (3,100/sq mi)
 • Households
31,415
Economy
 • Income class4th city income class
 • Poverty incidence
20.21
% (2021)[5]
 • Revenue₱ 731.2 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 2,692 million (2020), 1,172 million (2012)
 • Expenditure₱ 551.6 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 653.7 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityAlbay Electric Cooperative inc (ALECO)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
4511
PSGC
050517000
IDD : area code +63 (0)52
Native languagesCentral Bikol
Tagalog
Websitewww.tabacocity.com.ph

Tabaco, officially the City of Tabaco (Central Bikol: Syudad kan Tabaco; Filipino: Lungsod ng Tabaco), is a 4th class component city in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 140,961 people.[4]

It 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.[6] 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.

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.[7]

Etymology

[edit]

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 (presumably for defense). 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

[edit]

Spanish period

[edit]

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.[8]

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.[6]

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.[8]

American period and independence

[edit]

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 American rule in the area.[8]

With the restoration of peace after World War II, the Tabaqueños started rebuilding their lives and their land. By the time the Philippines gained independence in 1946, Tabaco was once again a thriving town.[8]

Other catastrophic events

[edit]

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.[6]

Cityhood

[edit]
Main article: Cities of the Philippines

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 4, 2001.

Geography

[edit]

The City of Tabaco is located on the eastern coast of Albay province with an area of 117.14 km2 (45.23 sq mi). The terrain in the poblacion or town center of Tabaco is generally flat with the highest elevation at around 5 m (16 ft). The northwestern portion reaches 400 m (1,300 ft) above sea level. The city's southwest boundary reaches all the way to the top of Mayon at an elevation of 2,462 m (8,077 ft). It is 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Legazpi City and 552 kilometres (343 mi) from Manila.

San Miguel Island is almost surrounded by groups of small hills with the highest elevation at about 35 m (115 ft) above sea level.

Total forest area in Tabaco is 2,572 ha (6,360 acres).

Climate

[edit]
Climate data for Tabaco
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 27
(81) 		27
(81) 		28
(82) 		30
(86) 		31
(88) 		30
(86) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		28
(82) 		27
(81) 		29
(84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22
(72) 		22
(72) 		23
(73) 		24
(75) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		23
(73) 		24
(75)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 138
(5.4) 		83
(3.3) 		74
(2.9) 		50
(2.0) 		108
(4.3) 		165
(6.5) 		202
(8.0) 		165
(6.5) 		190
(7.5) 		186
(7.3) 		188
(7.4) 		183
(7.2) 		1,732
(68.3)
Average rainy days 16.8 11.9 13.5 13.8 20.5 25.2 27.4 26.2 26.1 24.7 20.7 18.5 245.3
Source: Meteoblue[9]

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 May with a mean temperature of 27.0 °C (80.6 °F).

Barangays

[edit]

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.[10]

  • Agnas (San Miguel Island)
  • Bacolod
  • Bangkilingan
  • Bantayan
  • Baranghawon
  • Basagan
  • Basud (Barangay 1 Poblacion)
  • Bogñabong
  • Bombon (Barangay 2 Poblacion)
  • Bonot
  • Buang
  • Buhian
  • Cabagñan
  • Cobo
  • Comon
  • Cormidal
  • Divino Rostro (Barangay 3 Poblacion)
  • Fatima
  • Guinobat
  • Hacienda (San Miguel Island)
  • Magapo
  • Mariroc
  • Matagbac
  • Oras
  • Oson
  • Panal
  • Pawa
  • Pinagbobong
  • Quinale Cabasan (Barangay 4 Poblacion)
  • Quinastillojan
  • Rawis (San Miguel Island)
  • Sagurong (San Miguel Island)
  • Salvacion
  • San Antonio
  • San Carlos
  • San Isidro
  • San Juan (Barangay 5 Poblacion)
  • San Lorenzo
  • San Ramon
  • San Roque
  • San Vicente
  • Santo Cristo (Barangay 6 Poblacion)
  • Sua-Igot
  • Tabiguian
  • Tagas
  • Tayhi (Barangay 7 Poblacion)
  • Visita (San Miguel Island)

Demographics

[edit]
Population census of Tabaco
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 21,946—    
1918 24,812+0.82%
1939 29,957+0.90%
1948 33,209+1.15%
1960 46,416+2.83%
1970 60,572+2.69%
1975 65,254+1.50%
1980 72,634+2.17%
1990 85,697+1.67%
1995 96,993+2.35%
2000 107,166+2.16%
2007 123,513+1.98%
2010 125,083+0.46%
2015 133,868+1.30%
2020 140,961+1.02%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12][13][14]

Language and dialect

[edit]

Bicolano 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

[edit]

Christianity 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

[edit]

Poverty incidence of Tabaco

10
20
30
40
2006
33.30
2009
35.13
2012
23.78
2015
22.38
2018
19.83
2021
20.21

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]

Agriculture

[edit]

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

[edit]
Port of Tabaco
Tabaco International Seaport in 2007

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

Local fishport

[edit]

Situated in Barangay Fatima and San Roque. Which serves as the trading area of products (fisheries, livestock, variety of fruits and vegetables, woods and charcoals), from neighboring islands in San Miguel, Bacacay, and Rapu-Rapu.

Other industries

[edit]
LCC Mall Tabaco
  • 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 from Paraguay leaves.
  • Ship Repair and Building. Dry dock facility is available in Barangay Salvacion.
  • Padyak (pedicab), Trucks, Bus and AUV Manufacturing (body building)

Tourism

[edit]
Saint John the Baptist Parish Church
Tabaco Cemetery Chapel

Places of interest

[edit]

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.[23][24]

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 in Barangay San Lorenzo
  • Borcels Nature Springs in Barangay Marriroc
  • Cassandra Spring Resort in Barangay Pinagbobong (near Borcels Nature Springs)
  • Villa Azon in Barangay Matagbac
  • KC Land Park in Cabangan

Historical:

  • Angela Manalang Gloria Ancestral House at Quinale

Educational:

  • Mayon Planetarium and Science Park in Buang is a planetarium with library, the virtual room, a mini-museum and an audiovisual hall.[25]
  • 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.[25]

Events and festival

[edit]
  • 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.[26][27]
  • City Fiesta. In honor of the patron saint of Tabaco, St. John the Baptist, the city Fiesta is celebrated on June 24.

Transportation

[edit]

Roads

[edit]

Roads in Tabaco are classified as follows:

  • National roads – 20 kilometres (12 mi)
  • Provincial roads – 48.47 kilometres (30.12 mi)
  • Municipal roads – 10.7855 kilometres (6.7018 mi)
  • Barangay roads – 74.826 kilometres (46.495 mi)

Airport

[edit]

The nearest airport is in Daraga – Bicol International Airport – about 41.7 kilometres (25.9 mi) from Tabaco City.

Seaport

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

Others

[edit]
  • 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.

Education

[edit]

Secondary school

[edit]
  • 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
  • Catholic Central School (CCS)
  • Tabaco National High School
  • Tabaco Pei Ching School

Tertiary, vocational, technical schools

[edit]
  • Amando Cope College, School of Nursing in Baranghawon
  • Bicol Maritime Technical Colleges Foundation on Rizal St.
  • Bicol University Tabaco Campus in Tayhi
  • Carolyn Institute of Technology Incorporated in San Roque
  • Computer Communication Development Institute 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.

Public services

[edit]
Waste disposal

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 compactors to ensure that the garbage is collected and disposed of in the waste disposal site located at Pinagbobong, about 4-kilometre (2.5 mi) 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 (LCC) 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

[edit]
Tabaco Police Force
The Philippine National Police (PNP) Tabaco City Station is staffed by five police officers and seventy-five police NCOs (non-commissioned officers), 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, 3 km (1.9 mi) away from the city proper. The jail structure is composed of six (6) operation cells, staffed by two BJMP officers and twenty non-officer ranks.

Utilities

[edit]
Power

Two power companies provide electricity to the city.

  • Albay Power Electric Cooperative inc (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.????
  • 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 (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.[6]

Notable personalities

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Halalan 2022 CITY OF TABACO, ALBAY Election Results". abs-cbn.com. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  2. ^  City of Tabaco | (DILG)
  3. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Census of Population (2020). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  5. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d "Tabaco Town, Albay Province, Region V, Philippines". Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  7. ^ "City of Tabaco" Archived May 27, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. PSGC Interactive of National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved on April 20, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d "Historical Tabaco". Tabaco City Official Website. Retrieved on April 20, 2012.
  9. ^ "Tabaco City, Albay : Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  10. ^ "An Act Creating the Barrio of San Pedro in the Municipality of Tabaco, Province of Albay". LawPH.com. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
  11. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  12. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region V (Bicol Region)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  13. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  14. ^ "Province of Albay". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  15. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  16. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
  17. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
  18. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
  19. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
  20. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
  21. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  22. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  23. ^ "Church of Tabaco". National Registry of Historic Sites and Structures in the Philippines. Retrieved on May 24, 2012.
  24. ^ Wow Legazpi (March 27, 2010). "Visita Iglesia: Tabaco Church". Wow, Legazpi. Retrieved on 2010-06-29.
  25. ^ a b Gil Francis Arevalo (July 20, 2006). "Mayon planetarium also in danger zone Archived 2012-09-15 at the Wayback Machine". Mayon Monitor. Retrieved on 2010-06-29.
  26. ^ Albay Provincial Government. "Festivals of Albay". Albay Tourism. Retrieved on July 1, 2010.
  27. ^ Department of Tourism, Region V, "Festival & Events". WowBicol. Retrieved on July 1, 2010.
[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Tabaco.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tabaco.
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