The city of Legazpi has recovered from the devastating effects of Typhoon Reming (Durian) in November 2006, according to Mayor Noel E. Rosal in an announcement on the eve of the 50th Charter Anniversary of the City on June 12, 2009. Legazpi’s recovery was realized through help of the private sector, the national government and foreign agencies which poured in some P 5-Billion in economic and infra investments in this prime Bicol city.

The 2006 typhoon displaced 40,000 families, destroyed 26,000 dwellings, and covered almost 325 hectares of land with sand and mud. Many feared that it will take a long time before the city can regain its progressive status. In 2007, Rosal appealed to his constituents, “Buhayon niato liwat an ciudad nin Legazpi” (“Let us restore the City of Legazpi to life”).

Legazpi City Hall | Photo by Michelle Santos

Despite the difficulties, investors responded and still considered the city a major investment area in Southern Luzon. Investments continued to pour in, with another tourism destination opening in October – the Embarcadero, a P2-Billion worth of a commercial center, IT Park and resort-hotel complete with 40 rooms, restaurants, and a wharf developed by the Sunwest Construction. The mothballed Mayon International Hotel, once a famous 5-star hotel overlooking the city and Mayon Volcano, will be revived as the luxury Ivory Classic Resort Legazpi by the LKY Group.

The Spanish Government through its “Agencia Español de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo” (AECID) has extended assistance to the city named after the Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi with a grant of 1.5-Million Euros, or an equivalent of P 88.3-Million pesos for the establishment of an Ecological Solid Management facility at Barangay Banquerohan to be operational by 2011. The Spanish Grant for the material recovery facility (MRF) were signed by Mayor Rosal and the Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines, Luis Arias Romero, representing the (AECID) last March 5 of this year.

Rosal also revealed several development projects in the city including the construction and near completion of the Legazpi Central Terminal, the first high-tech transport terminal in the country; construction of the Lignon Hill Nature Park, and the rehabilitation of the city’s canals and drainage with some P 20-Million projects from the DPWH. City engineer Orlando Rebato said recent expansion of the city canals helped alleviate perennial flooding in several barangays in urban Legazpi City

Rosal added that development in Legazpi City has started to move to the Sourthern barangays for new commercial and residential sites. These locations are situated in high-lands and face lesser risk during calamities. This is in consonance with the provincial government’s Guicadale (Guinobatan-Camalig-Daraga-Legazpi) Platform.

Source: Legazpi Has Recovered From Reming by Sonny Sales, Vox Bikol, June 13, 2009
Legazpi City Hall photo by annemich