Daraga

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 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.

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 incorporated Daraga into Legazpi as one of its districts.^[7][8][9]

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.^[10]

In 1973, Presidential Decree No. 125 again merged Daraga with Legazpi City, but the implementation of this decree was later suspended.^[11]

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.^[12]

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.^[13]

Past municipal administrators

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).^[15]

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.^[17] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Language

The languages spoken in Daraga include East Miraya (Daragueño), Bicol, Tagalog, and English.

Cagsawa festival

The month-long Cagsawa festival is celebrated every February since 2012 in commemoration of Mt. Mayon's eruption.^[6]

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.^[6]

Primary and elementary schools

Secondary school

Higher educational institutions