The founding of Tabaco dates back in the year 1587 when it was only a visita of then bigger town of Cagsawa, spiritually administered by the Franciscan friars. A popular legend tells however that Tabaco means, "Tabak ko", meaning "my bolo".
The recorded history of the town began in 1587 with the missionary work of the Franciscan fathers. In 1616, Rev. Fr. Pedro de Alcareso became the first permanent minister and built a church which was dedicated to the glorious Precusor of our Saviour-St. John the Baptist, whose feast is on June 24. Up to the present, St. John the Baptist has remained the town's patron saint.
The first inhabitants who settled along the sea shore engaged in fishing and crude farming. Due to the continuous attacks of Moro raiders, the natives migrated to San Vicente and San Carlos and started the foundation of the first poblacion in 1703, while the fishermen transferred to the shores of the bay of what is now known as Cormidal.
In 1811, a terrible typhoon called baguiong Oguis or white typhoon brought havoc to the town. This was followed in 1814 by a major eruption of the Mayon Volcano which showered the area with ashes and hot rocks.
The Americans arrived at Tabaco on February 9, 1900 under the command of Col. Walter Howe. Superior armaments and well-trained soldiers quickened the Americans’ conquest against the Tabaquenios’ relentless courage and patriotism. This same courage and patriotism was again witnessed during the Second World War.
With the restoration of peace after World War II, the residents of Tabaco started to rebuild the town; taking advantage of the American occupation making the Tabaco a thriving town by the time the country was given independence.
LOCATION
The City of Tabaco is located on the eastern coast of Albay province with an area of 117.14 sq. km. Its territory occupies a large part of the mainland, which extends from the Lagunoy Gulf to San Miguel Island; an island located a few kilometers to the east. Tabaco Bay bound the Tabaco municipality to the east, the municipality of Malinao to the North, the municipality of Malilipot to the south and the City of Ligao to the Southwest.
The boundaries of the city are characterized by the intersection of two national roads with one traversing the east coast from the southern City of Legazpi and the other originating from the City of Tabaco going west across the City of Ligao, which, in turn, connects with Manila south road.
CLIMATE
Tabaco City belongs to Second type of Climate characterized by no definite dry season with a very pronouced maximum rain period from November to January.
TOPOGRAPHY
The diversity of landforms in Tabaco enables it to exhibit numerous topographical features, which range from muddy shores along Tabaco Bay at sea level to highlands which reaching up to an elevation of 2, 462 m on the slopes of Mt. Mayon. Agriculture is well suited especially on the lower slopes of the Mayon Volcano at the eastern half of the municipality. The western half of the municipality is fairly level only along the national highway to Ligao. Most of the western half is forested and under the control of the Bureau of Forest Development.
The San Miguel Island is almost entirely surrounded by groups of small hills. The land level, however is plain and elevated at about 35 meters above sea level.
MAJOR INDUSTRY
Manufacturing Sector
• Woodcraft/Wood Upholstery - furnitures and fixtures
• Cutlery/Metalcraft - scissors, bolos, knives, razors, farm implements, window grills, steel gates and tricycle sidecars
• Rattancraft - furnitures and fixtures
• Ceramics - hollowblocks, ballusters, toilet bowls, floor tiles and reinforced concrete pipes
• Hat and Mat Weaving (made of "caragumoy" leaves
• Ship Repair/Building - dry dock facility at Bgy. Salvacion.
Fishing and Aquatic Resources
• Shallow Fishing/ Sustenance
• Deep Fishing/Commercial
• Fishponds
COMMUNICATIONS
Local and international calls can be made from public and pre-paid card phones or through operators of telephone companies
TRANSPORATION
Sea Transport
The port of Tabaco City is one of the ports of entry open to overseas shipping in the province of Albay. It serves mainly as a passenger & cargo movement facility to the islands of San Miguel, Cagraray, Batan, and Rapu-Rapu as well as the Province of Catanduanes and the coastal town of Camarines Sur.
Land Transport
Buses, jeepneys and tricycles are the mode of transportation in getting around within the city and neighboring municipalities/cities.
Contact