Daraga
Corporate brand
UnclaimedDaraga is a municipality in Albay province, Philippines, known for the Cagsawa Ruins, Daraga Church, and its location beside Mayon Volcano and the Bicol International Airport.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Daraga is a municipality in the province of Albay in the Bicol Region of the Philippines. It occupies a strategically important position in the southwestern part of Albay, adjacent to Legazpi City and close to the foot of Mayon Volcano. The municipality is best known nationally and internationally for the Cagsawa Ruins, the surviving bell tower of Cagsawa Church that was buried during the catastrophic February 1814 eruption of Mayon, and for the Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church, commonly called Daraga Church. The latter is an eighteenth-century Baroque landmark built from volcanic stone on Santa Maria Hill, with views toward Mayon and the surrounding coastal landscape. The name Daraga is associated with Bikol terms referring historically to a maiden or unmarried woman. Local historical accounts also connect the name with a tree that formerly grew on the hill where the present parish church stands. The settlement has repeatedly changed its name and administrative position. Earlier names included Budiao, Cagsawa, Locsin, and Salcedo. Franciscan missionaries arrived in 1578 and established a mission identified as Budiao. By 1595, Cagsawa had become a satellite mission under Camalig. In 1772, Governor-General Simón de Anda y Salazar renamed the settlement Salcedo, although the name Daraga was later restored. Daraga's development has been shaped by volcanic hazards. The 1814 Mayon eruption destroyed Cagsawa and killed approximately 1,200 people who had sought refuge in the church. The municipality later experienced ashfall from the 2001 Mayon eruption and severe lahar and mudflow impacts associated with Typhoon Reming, known internationally as Durian, in 2006. The disaster buried or severely affected villages, displaced more than 20,000 residents, and destroyed thousands of homes. These events continue to influence land-use planning, disaster preparedness, tourism, and public infrastructure. The municipality became administratively autonomous from Albay and Legazpi in 1922, was incorporated into Legazpi again in 1948, and regained independent municipal status in 1954. It was renamed Locsin in 1959 and returned to the name Daraga in 1967. A further proposed or legislated merger with Legazpi in 1973 was not implemented because its execution was suspended. Daraga historically relied heavily on agriculture, but its economy has increasingly urbanized because of its proximity to Legazpi and its position along the Maharlika Highway. It has a large concentration of commercial establishments for a municipality in Albay, including retail, food, transport, services, and handicraft manufacturing. The town also maintains commercial links with Masbate through the nearby Port of Pilar. The Bicol International Airport, located in Barangay Alobo, has strengthened Daraga's role as a regional transport and investment center. Cultural tourism remains central to Daraga's public identity. The municipality has promoted the Cagsawa Festival each February since 2012, presenting local history, heritage, and Mayon-related traditions through a month-long program. Daraga Church was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum in 2007. According to the 2024 census information cited in the reference material, Daraga had approximately 138,000 residents. It is divided into 54 barangays and includes both densely settled urban areas and extensive rural territory. The municipality is active, but its future development remains closely connected to airport operations, regional urbanization, volcanic-risk management, heritage conservation, and possible consideration of cityhood.
History
Daraga's recorded history combines early settlement, missionary activity, repeated administrative changes, and recurring disruption from Mayon Volcano. Local accounts place the origins of settlement in the twelfth century, when traders established communities in the area. The name Daraga has been linked both to Bikol words for a maiden or unmarried woman and to a tree that once grew on the hill associated with the present Daraga Church. Franciscan missionaries arrived in 1578 and established a mission called Budiao. By 1595, the settlement known as Cagsawa operated as a visita, or satellite mission, under the jurisdiction of Camalig. In 1772, Governor-General Simón de Anda y Salazar renamed Cagsawa as Salcedo. The locality subsequently returned to the name Daraga. A major turning point came on 2 February 1814, when an eruption of Mayon Volcano destroyed Cagsawa. Approximately 1,200 people who had taken refuge in Cagsawa Church were killed, while the church was largely buried by volcanic material. Its surviving bell tower later became the Cagsawa Ruins, Daraga's most recognizable historical attraction. Formal local governance was organized in 1815, with Venancio Espíritu Salomón identified as the first barangay captain in the historical account. Under the Becerra Law of 1892, Daraga became part of Legazpi. During the American colonial period, the Philippine Assembly granted Daraga autonomy in 1922 by separating it from Albay and Legazpi. After the Second World War, Republic Act No. 306 incorporated Daraga into Legazpi again in 1948. Republic Act No. 993 restored its independent municipal status in 1954. The municipality experienced further naming and administrative changes. Republic Act No. 2505 renamed it Locsin in 1959, but Republic Act No. 4994 restored the name Daraga in 1967. Presidential Decree No. 125 sought to merge Daraga with Legazpi in 1973, although implementation was suspended. These changes form part of Daraga's long-running relationship with the expanding urban center of Legazpi. In the postwar and contemporary periods, Daraga developed from an agriculture-led settlement into a mixed rural-urban municipality. It received regional recognition in 1993 as the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality in the Bicol Region. Mayon remained a defining source of both identity and risk: an eruption in June 2001 deposited ash in parts of the municipality, while Typhoon Reming in 2006 generated destructive mudflows from Mayon. At least eight villages were buried or severely affected, more than 20,000 residents were displaced, and thousands of homes were destroyed. Public and commercial infrastructure expanded during the same period. A modern public market was completed in 2002. Daraga attracted national food chains and the LCC Supermarket as economic activity accelerated in 2008. Negotiations for the Bicol International Airport began in 2010, and the airport was subsequently established in Barangay Alobo, strengthening the municipality's regional transport role. The first Cagsawa Festival was held in February 2012 and has continued as a heritage and tourism event. Daraga Church, formally the Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church, was built in 1773 on Santa Maria Hill. It became an important place of worship after the destruction of Cagsawa. The church was occupied by Japanese forces during the Second World War and later sustained serious damage. Restoration work was undertaken from 1971 to 1973. In 2007, the National Museum declared the church a National Cultural Treasure because of its historical importance, volcanic-stone construction, and Baroque architectural features. Today, Daraga is divided into 54 barangays and functions as a commercial, transport, tourism, and residential extension of the Legazpi urban area while retaining large rural zones. Its economy includes farming, handicrafts, retail, food, transportation, and other services. Its development prospects are linked to the Bicol International Airport, heritage conservation, regional trade, and the continuing need to manage volcanic and climate-related hazards.
- 2024
Population reported at approximately 138,000
[1]The 2024 census information cited for Daraga reported a population of approximately 138,000.
- 2012
First Cagsawa Festival held
[1]Daraga held its first Cagsawa Festival, a month-long February celebration of local heritage and history.
- 2010
Airport construction negotiations begin
[1]The municipal government began negotiations concerning construction of the Bicol International Airport in Barangay Alobo.
- 2007
Daraga Church declared a National Cultural Treasure
[1]The National Museum designated the Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church a National Cultural Treasure.
- 2006
Typhoon Reming mudflows cause major destruction
[1]Heavy rain from Typhoon Reming triggered Mayon mudflows that buried villages, displaced more than 20,000 residents, and destroyed thousands of homes.
- 2001
Mayon ashfall affects the municipality
[1]The June 2001 eruption of Mayon covered parts of Daraga with volcanic ash.
- 1993
Regional environmental recognition
[1]Daraga was recognized as the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality in the Bicol Region.
- 1973
Proposed merger with Legazpi suspended
[1]Presidential Decree No. 125 again sought to merge Daraga with Legazpi, but implementation was suspended.
- 1967
Name Daraga restored
[1]Republic Act No. 4994 restored the municipality's historical name, Daraga.
- 1959
Renamed Locsin
[1]Republic Act No. 2505 changed the municipality's name to Locsin.
Products and positioning
A heritage and commercial municipality in Albay positioned around Mayon Volcano tourism, historic religious architecture, regional transport connectivity, and expanding urban activity beside Legazpi City.
Heritage tourism
Cagsawa Ruins and Resort
A tourism site in Barangay Busay centered on the surviving belfry of Cagsawa Church. The ruins commemorate the 1814 Mayon eruption and are widely associated with views of Mayon Volcano. The site combines historical interpretation, landscape tourism, and recreational facilities.
Cultural heritage · 1773
Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church
An eighteenth-century Baroque church built from volcanic stone on Santa Maria Hill in Barangay San Roque. Constructed in 1773, it became the principal place of worship after the destruction of Cagsawa and is recognized for its carved façade, historic setting, and views toward Mayon and the sea.
Cultural event · 2012
Cagsawa Festival
A month-long festival held each February since 2012. It promotes Daraga's history, heritage, tourism attractions, and cultural identity, with the Cagsawa Ruins and the Mayon landscape serving as central symbols.
Transport infrastructure
Bicol International Airport
A regional airport located in Barangay Alobo that serves Legazpi City and Albay. Its presence has increased Daraga's importance as a gateway for regional travel, tourism, commerce, and investment.
Controversies
2024
Arrest of Mayor Carlwyn Baldo
Mayor Carlwyn Baldo was arrested in 2024 over alleged involvement in the 2018 killing of Representative Rodel Batocabe of the Ako Bicol party. The allegation concerns a criminal case and should not be treated as a finding of guilt without a final legal disposition.
Marketing campaigns
- 2012Cagsawa Festival
Daraga · Albay · Bicol Region
Daraga launched a month-long February festival celebrating the Cagsawa heritage site, local history, and the municipality's relationship with Mayon Volcano.
Outcome. The festival became a recurring cultural and tourism event.
- 1993Cleanest and Greenest Municipality recognition
Bicol Region
Daraga received regional recognition as the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality in the Bicol Region.
Outcome. The recognition reinforced the municipality's environmental and public-cleanliness identity.
Brand decisions
2012
Launch of the Cagsawa FestivalOtherBackground
Daraga sought to formalize the use of its historic ruins and Mayon landscape in cultural tourism.
Action taken
The municipality held its first month-long Cagsawa Festival in February.
Aftermath
The festival became an annual heritage and tourism program.
2010
Negotiations for Bicol International AirportStrategyBackground
Daraga sought to capitalize on its location beside Legazpi and its access to major roads and regional markets.
Action taken
The municipal government began negotiations concerning construction of the Bicol International Airport in Barangay Alobo.
Aftermath
The airport strengthened Daraga's position as a regional gateway and contributed to its commercial and tourism potential.
2002
Modern public market completedStrategyBackground
Daraga's economy was expanding beyond agriculture and required stronger commercial infrastructure.
Action taken
The municipal government completed construction of a modern public market.
Aftermath
The market supported local commerce during the municipality's transition toward a more urban economic structure.
Sources2 sources
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