Tabaco

Not to be confused withTabacco.

Tabaco,officially theCity of Tabaco(Central Bikol:Syudad kan Tabaco;Filipino:Lungsod ng Tabaco), is a 4th classcomponent cityin theprovinceofAlbay,Philippines.According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 140,961 people.

Tabaco
Component city
City of Tabaco
Tabaco Park and municipal hall in the background
Flag Seal
Nickname: City of Love
Anthem: Tabaco City Hymn
Map of Albay with Tabaco highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Tabaco Location within thePhilippines
Coordinates:13°21′N123°44′E
Country	Philippines
Region	Bicol Region
Province	Albay
District	1st district
Founded	1731
Cityhood	March 24, 2001
Barangays	47 (seeBarangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
•Mayor	Cielo Krisel Lagman-Luistro
•Vice Mayor	Nestor San Pablo
•Representative	Edcel Lagman
•City Council	Members John Gio O. Bongao Arnaldo B. Bragais Hector D. Rodriguez Roderick D. Martirez Salvacion E. Balingbing Raul Roi B. Borejon Lourdes B. Berces Alfredo C. Adalla Danilo C. Buencosejo Julio C. Azada Chua Jr.
•Electorate	80,465 voters (2022)
Area
• Total	117.45 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)
• Total	140,961
• Density	1,200/km2(3,100/sq mi)
•Households	31,415
Economy
•Income class	4th city income class
•Poverty incidence	20.21 % (2021)
•Revenue	₱ 731.2 million (2020), 340.2 million (2012), 359.5 million (2013), 407.1 million (2014), 448.6 million (2015), 491.6 million (2016), 561.2 million (2017), 612.4 million (2018), 678.5 million (2019), 785.7 million (2021), 1,032 million (2022)
•Assets	₱ 2,692 million (2020), 1,172 million (2012), 1,196 million (2013), 1,168 million (2014), 1,377 million (2015), 1,538 million (2016), 1,744 million (2017), 1,919 million (2018), 2,182 million (2019), 3,070 million (2021), 3,519 million (2022)
•Expenditure	₱ 551.6 million (2020), 225.6 million (2012), 228.7 million (2013), 219.4 million (2014), 247.9 million (2015), 273.2 million (2016), 402.3 million (2017), 443.5 million (2018), 468 million (2019), 513 million (2021), 672.9 million (2022)
•Liabilities	₱ 653.7 million (2020), 228.7 million (2012), 194.7 million (2013), 131 million (2014), 273.2 million (2015), 312 million (2016), 338 million (2017), 289.1 million (2018), 369.3 million (2019), 652.3 million (2021), 459.6 million (2022)
Service provider
• Electricity	Albay Electric Cooperative inc (ALECO)
Time zone	UTC+8(PST)
ZIP code	4511
PSGC	050517000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)52
Native languages	Central Bikol Tagalog
Website	www.tabacocity.ph

It is one of the threecomponent citiesof the province, along withLegazpiandLigao.The mainland part of the city is bordered by the town ofMalinaoto the north, the towns ofPolanguiandOasto the west, Ligao to the southwest,Malilipottown to the southeast, andLagonoy Gulfto the east.The symmetricMayon Volcano,the mostactive volcanoin 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 ofSan Miguel,the westernmost of the four main islands in Lagonoy Gulf, falls under the jurisdiction of Tabaco. Five of thebarangaysof the city are located on the island for a total of 47barangayscomposing the city.

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 (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

Spanish period

According to theEstado Geografico Estadistico Historicowritten in 1805 by Father De Huerta, the recorded history of the city began in 1587 through themissionary workof the firstFranciscanFathers. In 1616, Fr. Pedro De Alcareso became the first permanent parish priest and established achurchdedicated toSt. John the Baptist,thepatron saintof the city.

The first inhabitants settled along the seashore and engaged in fishing and crude farming. Due to the continuous attacks by theMororaiders, the natives migrated to San Vicente and San Carlos, and started the foundation of the firstpoblacionin 1703, while the fishermen of the town transferred to the shores of the bay of what is now known asBarangayCormidal. Under the administration of the first town executive, a church was built in Cormidal in 1731. Records on the electedCapitan municipal(town mayor) started only in 1731 with Martin Aguirre listed as the first mayor of Tabaco.

In 1811, a terribletyphooncalled Baguiong Oguis or White Typhoon brought havoc to the town. This was followed in 1814 by the most destructive eruption of theMayon 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 andpatriotismof the Tabaqueños, the residents of Tabaco, the superior armaments and well-trained soldiers of theAmerican armyhastened its conquest of Tabaco and adjoining towns, starting theAmerican rulein 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 gainedindependencein 1946, Tabaco was once again a thriving town.

Other catastrophic events

Another catastrophe to hit the town wasTyphoon Trixin 1952, which completely submergedNatunawan Island.A 1964 fire razed the commercial center, and in 1970, another destructive storm,Typhoon Sening,slashed through the town.

Cityhood

Main article:Cities of the Philippines

Then Representative Krisel Lagman-Luistro introduced House Bill No. 7851, upgrading the municipality of Tabaco into acomponent cityof the province of Albay. Senate Bill No. 2244 was sponsored by SenatorsSergio Osmeña IIIandFranklin Drilonas its counterpart in the Senate. The Republic Act No. 9020 converted the Municipality of Tabaco into acomponent cityof the province of Albay. It was signed into law by PresidentGloria Macapagal Arroyoon February 5, 2001. The municipality was finally converted into a city after the plebiscite conducted on March 4, 2001.

Geography

The City of Tabaco is located on the eastern coast ofAlbayprovincewith an area of 117.14 km²(45.23 sq mi). The terrain in thepoblacionor 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) fromLegazpi Cityand 552 kilometres (343 mi) fromManila.

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

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)
Averageprecipitationmm (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

The City of Tabaco belongs to theType IIclimate 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 andhumiditythroughout 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

Tabaco City is politically subdivided into 47barangays.Each barangay consists ofpuroksand some havesitios.

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 (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

Population census of Tabaco

Year	Pop.	±% 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

Language and dialect

Bicolanois 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

Christianityis the predominant religion withRoman Catholicismwith the most number of practitioners. Other Christian denominations are also present in the city likeProtestants,Baptist,Philippine Independent Church,United Pentecostal Church,Evangelical ChristianandIglesia ni Cristo.Islam,Mormonism,Hinduism,Jainism,Wicca,Modern PaganismandBuddhismalso have followers in the city.

Economy

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

Agriculture

Its economy is still heavily dependent onagriculture.Major crops includerice,corn,cacao,pili,root crops,vegetables,coconutsandabacá.Poultry and livestock raising as well as aquaculture and fishing are very much alive.

International seaport

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

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

LCC Mall Tabaco

• Woodcraft. Wood furniture and accessories manufacturing.
• Metal Craft.Tabak(bolo knife) manufacturing orcutlery,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 fromParaguayleaves.
• Ship Repair and Building.Dry dockfacility is available in Barangay Salvacion.
• Padyak (pedicab), Trucks, Bus and AUV Manufacturing (body building)

Tourism

Saint John the Baptist Parish Church

Tabaco Cemetery Chapel

Places of interest

TheChurch of San Juan Bautistain San Juan, Tabaco City, is one of the most impressive religious structures in the province of Albay. The construction of the presentchurchstarted in 1750. It was designated a National Historic Landmark by PD. 260 on August 1, 1973.

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 Parkin 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.

Events and festival

• Charter Dayor the Founding Anniversary of Tabaco as a city is celebrated yearly on March 24.
• Tabak Festivalis 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 thepatron saintof Tabaco, St. John the Baptist, the cityFiestais celebrated on June 24.

Transportation

Roads

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

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

Seaport

ThePortof 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 ofCatanduanesandCamarines 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 motorizedtricycleswith routes to different barangays and neighboring municipalities.
• There are over 2,000 Pedicabs for transportation within thepoblacion.
• There are severaljeepneyroutes around the city or 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
• Catholic Central School (CCS)
• 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
• 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

Waste disposal

In dealing withsolid waste management,the City of Tabaco has adopted the usual means of dumping garbage in an open-pitdumpsite.Garbageis 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

Tabaco Police Force

ThePhilippine 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 againstcriminalityis 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 DistrictJailis 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

Power

Twopower companiesprovideelectricityto the city.

• Albay Power Electric Cooperative inc (ALECO) in Matagbac, Tabaco City serves 35 of the 47barangaysof 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 supplyis 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.

Notable personalities

• Henry Omaga-Diaz,journalist
• Thomas Franco Rodriguezor Tomás, member of Filipino pop boy band,Alamatand finalist,Pinoy Big Brother: 737teen edition

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Tabaco City profile on the Albay official website
• Albay Province Official Tourism Site
• "Tabaco".Encyclopædia Britannica(11th ed.). 1911.