| Flag Size: | 120x80px |
| Seal Size: | 100x80px |
| Mapframe: | yes |
| Pushpin Map: | Philippines |
| Pushpin Label Position: | right |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location within the |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Philippines |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Type2: | Province |
| Other Name: | Locsin |
| Nickname: | The International Gateway to Bicol "Home of Cagsawa Ruins" |
| Motto: | Viajeng Progreso |
| Subdivision Type3: | District |
| Established Title: | Founded |
| Established Date: | June 12, 1772 |
| Parts Type: | Barangays |
| Parts Style: | para |
| P1: | (see Barangays) |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Victor U. Perete |
| Leader Title1: | Vice Mayor |
| Leader Name1: | Fleur Jazel T. Ruiza |
| Leader Name2: | Caloy A. Loria |
| Leader Title3: | Municipal Council |
| Leader Name4: | voters (electorate_point_in_time}}|) |
| Elevation Max M: | 292 |
| Elevation Min M: | 0 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population Blank1 Title: | Households |
| Population Demonym: | Daragueño |
| Timezone: | PST |
| Utc Offset: | +8 |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP code |
| Demographics Type1: | Economy |
| Demographics1 Title2: | Poverty incidence |
| Demographics1 Info2: | % |
| Demographics1 Title3: | Revenue |
| Demographics1 Title4: | Revenue rank |
| Demographics1 Title5: | Assets |
| Demographics1 Title6: | Assets rank |
| Demographics1 Title7: | IRA |
| Demographics1 Title8: | IRA rank |
| Demographics1 Title9: | Expenditure |
| Demographics1 Title10: | Liabilities |
| Demographics Type2: | Service provider |
| Demographics2 Title1: | Electricity |
| Demographics2 Info1: | Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO) |
| Demographics2 Title2: | Water |
| Demographics2 Info2: | Daraga Water District |
| Demographics2 Title3: | Telecommunications |
| Demographics2 Title4: | Cable TV |
| Blank1 Name Sec1: | Native languages |
| Blank1 Info Sec1: | Central Bikol East Miraya Tagalog |
| Blank2 Name Sec1: | Crime index |
| Blank1 Name Sec2: | Major religions |
| Blank2 Name Sec2: | Feast date |
| Blank2 Info Sec2: | September 8 |
| Blank3 Name Sec2: | Catholic diocese |
| Blank4 Name Sec2: | Patron saint |
| Blank4 Info Sec2: | Our Lady of the Gate (Nuestra Señora de la Porteria) |
Daraga ([dɐrɐ'ga]officially the Municipality of Daraga bcl|Banwaan kan Daraga; East Miraya Bikol: Banwaan ning Daraga; tl|Bayan ng Daraga), is a municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the, it has a population of people.
It is home of the famous Cagsawa Ruins which features one of the best views of the Mayon.[1]
The word daraga historically referred to a "maiden", and term for an "unmarried woman" in many of the Bikol languages. The original settlement of Daraga dates back to the 12th century, but has changed location repeatedly due to the constant threats posed by the Mayon Volcano. The town was previously named Budiao, Cagsawa, Locsin, and Salcedo.
The early history of Daraga dates back to the 12th century when the area was first settled by traders. The name “Daraga” was derived from a type of tree that once grew abundantly on a hill where a baroque-style Catholic church now stands.
In 1578, Franciscan missionaries arrived and established a mission in the area, naming it Budiao. The settlement was later renamed Cagsawa. By 1595, Cagsawa had become a visita or satellite mission station under the jurisdiction of the nearby town of Camalig.
In 1772, Governor-General Simón de Anda renamed Cagsawa to Salcedo, although the town would later revert to the name Daraga. The municipality suffered a major tragedy in 1814 when the eruption of Mayon Volcano destroyed the town, killing around 1,200 people who had sought refuge inside the Cagsawa Church.
Formal governance of Daraga was organized in 1815, with Venancio Espíritu Salomon serving as Barangay Captain. Under the Becerra Law of 1892, Daraga became part of Legazpi City.
In 1922, the Philippine Assembly granted Daraga its autonomy by separating it from Albay and Legazpi.
In 1948, Republic Act No. 306 was enacted, once again incorporated Daraga into Legazpi as one of its districts.[2] [3] [4]
Six years later, in 1984, the Republic Act No. 993 reestablished Daraga as an independent municipality. In 1959, it was renamed Locsin through Republic Act No. 2505, but this was reversed in 1967 when Republic Act No. 4994 restored the name Daraga.[5]
In 1973, Presidential Decree No. 125 again merged Daraga with Legazpi City, but the implementation of this decree was later suspended.[6]
The town gained recognition in 1993 when it was awarded as the “Cleanest and Greenest Municipality” in the Bicol Region.
In June 2001, another eruption of Mayon Volcano covered parts of the town with volcanic ash. The following year, the municipal government completed the construction of a modern public market. In 2006, heavy rains brought by Typhoon Reming (international name: Durian) triggered mudflows from Mayon Volcano that buried at least eight villages, displaced over 20,000 residents, and destroyed thousands of homes.
In 2007, the National Museum declared the 400-year-old Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church (Daraga Church) a National Cultural Treasure. The town’s economy grew rapidly in 2008 with the opening of national food chains and the LCC Supermarket.
The municipal government began negotiations in 2010 for the construction of the Bicol International Airport, located in Barangay Alobo.
In February 2012, the town held its first-ever Cagsawa Festival to celebrate its heritage and history.[7]
In 2024, Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo was arrested for his alleged involvement in the 2018 killing of Representative Rodel Batocabe of the Ako Bicol party.[8]
| Mayor | ||
| 1948 - 1954 | merger with Legazpi City | |
|---|---|---|
| 1954 - 1959 | ||
| January 1, 1960 - December 30, 1963 | Pedro F. Callos | |
| January 1, 1964 - December 30, 1971 | Vicente Jaucian | |
| 1972 - 1984 | Pedro M. Marcellana, Jr. | |
| 1984 - 1986 | ||
| 1986 - 1988 | ||
| 1988 - June 30, 1998 | Atty. Cicero C. Triunfante | |
| June 30, 1998 - June 30, 2001 | Wilson M. Andes | |
| June 30, 2001 - June 30, 2007 | Gerry R. Jaucian | |
| June 30, 2007 - June 30, 2010 | Atty. Cicero C. Triunfante | |
| June 30, 2010 - May 4, 2018 | Gerry R. Jaucian | |
| May 5, 2018 - January 23, 2019 | Carlwyn G. Baldo | |
| January 23, 2019 - June 30, 2022 | Victor U. Perete | |
| June 30, 2022 - August 27, 2024 | Carlwyn G. Baldo | |
| August 27, 2024 - June 30, 2025 | Gerry Raphael Z. Jaucian, Jr. | |
| Term Starts at June 30, 2025 | Victor U. Perete |
Daraga is located at, 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. It is from Legazpi and from Manila.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of constituting of the 2575.77adj=mid2adj=mid total area of Albay. This municipal land area is distributed among the present 16 urban barangays and 42 rural barangays. The urban barangays total (12.65%) and the rural barangays make up the remaining (87.35%) of the total municipal land area.[9]
67.3% of the total municipal land area has a predominantly low elevation of up to . The surface terrain is generally characterized by combination of level to nearly level areas, gentle to undulating areas and undulating to rolling areas.
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.
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 sources include:
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.
Daraga is politically subdivided into 54 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
| Barangay | Population | Area [10] | Class | Barangay head | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcala | Rural | Ester L. Llandeza | |||
| Alobo | Rural | Dexter L. Marmol | |||
| Anislag | Urban | Elmer Lodronio | |||
| Bagumbayan | Urban | Mark C. Magalona | |||
| Balinad | Urban | Darren Maceda | |||
| Bañadero | Rural | Archie Bajamundi | |||
| Bañag | Urban | Gayzel M. Cardiño | |||
| Bascaran | Urban | Julius L. Duran | |||
| Bigao | Rural | Salvador Miravalles | |||
| Binitayan | Urban | Cecilia A. Arevalo | |||
| Bongalon | Rural | Ferelyn M. Seva | |||
| Budiao | Rural | Jefferson M. Mapula | |||
| Burgos | Rural | Henry Mallapre | |||
| Busay | Rural | Salvyn Mandane | |||
| Canarom | Rural | Efren M. Llasos | |||
| Cullat | Rural | Luis D. Espejo | |||
| De la Paz (Ibong Salog) | Rural | Maria L. Marjalino | |||
| Dinoronan | Rural | Hirfa M. Espadilla | |||
| Gabawan | Rural | Roberto C. Obispo | |||
| Gapo | Rural | Jesus M. Magdaong Jr. | |||
| Ibaugan | Rural | Raul Ll. Malto | |||
| Ilawod | Urban | Randy Kabayo Velasco | |||
| Inarado | Rural | Rommel N. Marticio | |||
| Kidaco | Rural | Nelson Magallano | |||
| Kilicao | Urban | Eriberto M. Madrona | |||
| Kimantong | Urban | Ramon D. Paran Jr. | |||
| Kinawitan | Rural | Eduardo N. Lubiano | |||
| Kiwalo | Rural | Janet L. Lorilla | |||
| Lacag | Rural | Arthur L. Llabore Sr. | |||
| Mabini | Rural | Ranulfo N. Llorera | |||
| Malabog | Rural | Paulo Montallana | |||
| Malobago | Rural | William Marbella | |||
| Maopi | Rural | Alex M. Loteriña | |||
| Market Area | Urban | Wilfredo N. Nayve | |||
| Maroroy | Urban | Robinson "Toto" Lubiano | |||
| Matnog | Rural | Bonifacio M. Odiver | |||
| Mayon | Rural | Adoracion Blazo | |||
| Mi-isi | Rural | Elmer A. Lorica | |||
| Nabasan | Rural | Menche A. Llamasares | |||
| Namantao | Rural | Danilo Llaneta | |||
| Pandan | Rural | Rosalito Cimanes | |||
| Peñafrancia | Urban | Jose M. Lobas | |||
| Sagpon | Urban | Loreto Barajas | |||
| Salvacion | Rural | Nelson N. Mabini | |||
| San Rafael | Rural | Alodea M. Lisay | |||
| San Ramon | Rural | Aidar L. Llaguno | |||
| San Roque | Urban | Gary Calpe | |||
| San Vicente Grande (Malingolingo) | Rural | Elena M. Vibar | |||
| San Vicente Pequeño (Kapusungan) | Rural | Jesus Oarde | |||
| Sipi | Urban | Dexter Billy M. Lorica | |||
| Tabon-tabon | Rural | Ric M. Rodrigueza | |||
| Tagas | Urban | Cherry M. Mayor | |||
| Talahib | Rural | Nieves M. Jacob | |||
| Villahermosa | Rural | Eladio L. Rodrigueza |
In the 2024 census, Daraga had a population of 138,000 people. The population density was NaN138,000/118.64.
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.
The languages spoken in Daraga include East Miraya (Daragueño), Bicol, Tagalog, and English.
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 is the site of the 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 municipality is a center of handicraft manufacturing with several handicraft factories choosing their location in the municipality.
Daraga's existing tourist spots/attractions are the Cagsawa Ruins and Resort and the 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.
See also: Daraga station. Daraga has a total road network of about . These are categorized as national roads, provincial roads, municipal roads and barangay roads. The barangay roads comprise the bulk of the municipality road network system. About 24.97% are concrete paved while the remaining 75.03% remains in asphalt, gravel or 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 or barangay roads.
Daraga is the site of the newly constructed Bicol International Airport. It serves the City of Legazpi and the rest of Albay. It is located at barangay Alobo.
The month-long Cagsawa festival is celebrated every February since 2012 in commemoration of Mt. Mayon's eruption.
Also known as Daraga Church, this 18th-century baroque structure stands atop a hill overlooking Mayon Volcano and the sea. Built from volcanic stones in 1773, it became the main place of worship after the Mayon eruption that destroyed nearby Cagsawa.During World War II, the Japanese occupied the church, and it later suffered heavy damage. Restoration work took place from 1971 to 1973. Today, the church remains a prominent landmark, notable for its intricate façade carved from volcanic rock.
There are two schools district offices which govern all educational institutions within the municipality. They oversee the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.[11] These are the:
