For the patrol boat, see USS Daraga.
Daraga
CountryPhilippines
Other nameLocsin
FoundedJune 12, 1772
Parts stylepara
P 1(see Barangays)
MayorVictor U. Perete
Vice MayorFleur Jazel T. Ruiza
RepresentativeCaloy A. Loria
Electoratevoters (Philippine general election)
Elevation max292 m
Elevation min0 m
Population demonymDaragueño
Time zonePST (UTC+8)
Poverty incidence% ()
ElectricityAlbay Electric Cooperative (ALECO)
WaterDaraga Water District
Native languagesCentral Bikol
East Miraya
Tagalog
Feast dateSeptember 8
Catholic dioceseDiocese of Legazpi
Patron saintOur 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; Tagalog: 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]

Etymology

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.

History

Early history

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.

Spanish colonial era

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 y Salazar 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 Cagsawa Church.

Formal governance of Daraga was organized in 1815, with Venancio Espíritu Salomón serving as Barangay Captain. Under the Becerra Law of 1892, Daraga became part of Legazpi City.

American colonial era

In 1922, the Philippine Assembly granted Daraga its autonomy by separating it from Albay and Legazpi.

Post-war era

In 1948, Republic Act No. 306 was enacted, once again incorporating Daraga into Legazpi as one of its districts.[2][3][4]

Six years later in 1954, 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]

Philippine fifth republic

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]

Government

Past municipal administrators

Daraga Albay Mayor
Inclusive yearsMayor
1948 - 1954merger with Legazpi City
1954 - 1959
January 1, 1960 - December 30, 1963Pedro F. Callos
January 1, 1964 - December 30, 1971Vicente Jaucian
1972 - 1984Pedro M. Marcellana, Jr.
1984 - 1986
1986 - 1988
1988 - June 30, 1998Atty. Cicero C. Triunfante
June 30, 1998 - June 30, 2001Wilson M. Andes
June 30, 2001 - June 30, 2007Gerry R. Jaucian
June 30, 2007 - June 30, 2010Atty. Cicero C. Triunfante
June 30, 2010 - May 4, 2018Gerry R. Jaucian
May 5, 2018 - January 23, 2019Carlwyn G. Baldo
January 23, 2019 - June 30, 2022Victor U. Perete
June 30, 2022 - August 27, 2024Carlwyn G. Baldo
August 27, 2024 - June 30, 2025Gerry Raphael Z. Jaucian, Jr.
Term Starts at June 30, 2025Victor U. Perete

Geography

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 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from Legazpi and 524 kilometres (326 mi) from Manila.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 118.64 square kilometres (45.81 sq mi) constituting 118.64% of the 2,575.77-square kilometre 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.[9]

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 sources include:

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

Climate

Daraga has a generally wet climate characterized by a lack of the 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).[9]

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.

Barangays

Daraga is politically subdivided into 54 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

BarangayPopulation (2010)Area (ha)[10]ClassBarangay head
Alcala2,755116.18RuralEster L. Llandeza
Alobo792160.65RuralDexter L. Marmol
Anislag9,445858.50UrbanElmer Lodronio
Bagumbayan3,254132.54UrbanMark C. Magalona
Balinad2,230153.74UrbanDarren Maceda
Bañadero1,637204.00RuralArchie Bajamundi
Bañag2,71927.35UrbanGayzel M. Cardiño
Bascaran3,946423.00UrbanJulius L. Duran
Bigao1,015296.08RuralSalvador Miravalles
Binitayan4,25724.06UrbanCecilia A. Arevalo
Bongalon1,12373.48RuralFerelyn M. Seva
Budiao271290.07RuralJefferson M. Mapula
Burgos1,122148.67RuralHenry Mallapre
Busay1,684213.79RuralSalvyn Mandane
Canarom501247.36RuralEfren M. Llasos
Cullat1,46030.78RuralLuis D. Espejo
De la Paz (Ibong Salog)77373.19RuralMaria L. Marjalino
Dinoronan60861.07RuralHirfa M. Espadilla
Gabawan1,98393.18RuralRoberto C. Obispo
Gapo1,982389.25RuralJesus M. Magdaong Jr.
Ibaugan546179.00RuralRaul Ll. Malto
Ilawod1,98718.42UrbanRandy Kabayo Velasco
Inarado1,694682.22RuralRommel N. Marticio
Kidaco1,205116.03RuralNelson Magallano
Kilicao3,925379.43UrbanEriberto M. Madrona
Kimantong1,98020.98UrbanRamon D. Paran Jr.
Kinawitan40578.46RuralEduardo N. Lubiano
Kiwalo1,16057.65RuralJanet L. Lorilla
Lacag2,321383.86RuralArthur L. Llabore Sr.
Mabini581124.83RuralRanulfo N. Llorera
Malabog4,099287.46RuralPaulo Montallana
Malobago49261.56RuralWilliam Marbella
Maopi1,166252.95RuralAlex M. Loteriña
Market Area2,53820.82UrbanWilfredo N. Nayve
Maroroy5,33173.60UrbanRobinson "Toto" Lubiano
Matnog1,680270.15RuralBonifacio M. Odiver
Mayon1,759356.70RuralAdoracion Blazo
Mi-isi1,028518.20RuralElmer A. Lorica
Nabasan506552.14RuralMenche A. Llamasares
Namantao1,538363.07RuralDanilo Llaneta
Pandan1,68394.32RuralRosalito Cimanes
Peñafrancia2,986193.74UrbanJose M. Lobas
Sagpon5,72329.62UrbanLoreto Barajas
Salvacion3,344551.61RuralNelson N. Mabini
San Rafael29632.64RuralAlodea M. Lisay
San Ramon1,441784.99RuralAidar L. Llaguno
San Roque4,30841.97UrbanGary Calpe
San Vicente Grande (Malingolingo)961346.57RuralElena M. Vibar
San Vicente Pequeño (Kapusungan)32063.67RuralJesus Oarde
Sipi3,45438.92UrbanDexter Billy M. Lorica
Tabon-tabon2,588207.99RuralRic M. Rodrigueza
Tagas6,527100.45UrbanCherry M. Mayor
Talahib541341.93RuralNieves M. Jacob
Villahermosa2,203414.71RuralEladio L. Rodrigueza

Demographics

In the 2024 census, Daraga had a population of 138,000 people. The population density was PD/km2.

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

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.

Tourism

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.

Transportation

See also: Daraga station

Daraga has a total road network of about 129.01 kilometres (80.16 mi). 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.

Culture

Cagsawa festival

The month-long Cagsawa festival is celebrated every February since 2012 in commemoration of Mt. Mayon's eruption.[1]

Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church

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.[1]

Education

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:

  • Daraga North Schools District
  • Daraga South Schools District

Primary and elementary schools

  • Alcala Elementary School
  • Alobo Elementary School
  • Anislag Elementary School (Daraga South Central School)
  • Bagtang Elementary School
  • Balinad Elementary School
  • Banadero Elementary School
  • Banag Elementary School
  • Bascaran Elementary School
  • Belen B. Francisco Foundation
  • Bicol College Elementary School
  • Bigao Elementarty School
  • Binitayan Elementary School
  • Bongalon Elementary School
  • Budiao Elementary School
  • Burgos Elementary School
  • Busay Elementary School
  • Canarom Elementary School
  • Carolina Elementary School (Dinoronan Elementary School)
  • Cresche School
  • Cullat Elementary School
  • Daraga Human Resource Development Center
  • Daraga North Central School
  • De la Paz Elementary School
  • Gabawan Elementary School
  • Gapo Elementary School
  • Harvest in Christ Christian Academy
  • Ibaugan Elementary School
  • Immaculate Concepcion College Laboratory School
  • Impact Learning Center
  • Inarado Elementary School
  • Kidaco Elementary School
  • Kiddie Starlets School
  • Kilicao Elementary School
  • Kinawitan Elementary School
  • Kiwalo Elementary School
  • Lacag Elementary School
  • Loving Care Learning Center
  • Mabini Elementary School
  • Malobago Elementary School
  • Maopi Elementary School
  • Maroroy Elementary School
  • Mary's Child Science Oriented School
  • Matnog Elementary School
  • Mayon Elementary School
  • Mi-isi Elementary School
  • Nabasan Elementary School
  • Namantao Elementary School
  • Penafrancia Elementary School
  • San Rafael Elementary School
  • San Ramon Elementary School
  • San Vicente Grande Elementary School
  • San Vicente Pequeño Elementary School
  • Star Minds School for Kids
  • Sunshine International School
  • Tabontabon Elementary School
  • Tagas Elementary School
  • Talahib Elementary School
  • United Institute
  • Upper Malabog Elementary School
  • Villahermosa Elementary School

Secondary school

  • Anislag National High School
  • Anislag National High School - Bascaran High School Extension
  • Anislag National High School - San Vicente Grande High School Extension
  • Bañadero High School
  • Bicol College High School Department
  • Daraga National High School
  • Immaculate Concepcion College High School Department
  • Kilicao High School
  • Lacag National High School
  • Malabog National High School
  • Mary's Child Science Oriented School High School Department
  • San Vicente Grande High School
  • United Institute High School Department

Higher educational institutions

Notable personalities

References

  1. ^ "Daraga: Explore the Home of the Cagsaua Ruins in Albay". triptheislands.com. July 18, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  2. ^ "Republic Act No. 306 - An Act Creating the City of Legaspi". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. June 18, 1948. Archived March 4, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  3. ^ "Chan Robles Virtual Law Library". Republic Act No. 993 - An Act Recreating the Municipalities of Legaspi and Daraga in the Province of Albay. June 8, 1954. Archived September 25, 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  4. ^ "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. June 21, 1959. Archived June 3, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  5. ^ "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. June 17, 1967. Archived September 26, 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  6. ^ "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. February 5, 1973. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  7. ^ "Cagsawa Festival". festivalscape.com. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  8. ^ Capulong, Raya (August 27, 2024). "Police arrest Daraga Mayor Baldo over 2018 Batocabe slay". abs-cbn.com. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  9. ^ "General Information". About the LGU. Municipal Government of Daraga. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  10. ^ Daraga Municipal Planning and Development Office
  11. ^ "Masterlist of Schools". Department of Education. January 15, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  12. ^ "Barbie Imperial: The ups and downs of Barbie's world". PEP.ph. December 14, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  13. ^ "‘Mabuhay! We are your BINIbinis!’". The Freeman. 2024-06-23. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
  • [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]