About Legazpi
Panoramic View of Legazpi City from Kapuntukan Hill | Photo by Simon Listana
Overview
The City of Legazpi is the capital of the Province of Albay and the administrative center of the Bicol Region. Recognized as one of the fastest-growing and most competitive cities in the Philippines, Legazpi is also an economic, educational, transportation and service center of the region. The city is nicknamed the ‘Gateway to the Bicol Region’ because of its accessibility and complete land, air, rail, and sea transportation facilities. Legazpi is renowned worldwide for its beautiful natural scenery dominated by Mount Mayon. Taking advantage of its natural wonders, Legazpi has positioned itself as an adventure destination and fitness city.
Official Seal
Crown Shape - Symbolizes power
Red, White and Blue colors – the colors of the Philippine National Flag
Rising Sun – Symbol of Progress
Mayon Volcano – Celebrating the beauty and grandeur of Mt. Mayon
Sea, wharf, steamer and pier – Signifies Legazpi’s designation as a port city
Bundles of Palay and Coconut Trees – Indicates that agriculture is the main industry and the chief source of income in the city with copra as the leading export product
Wing, wheel and anchor - Symbolizes the air, land and water transportation facilities of the city
Location
- 123°44′ Longitude East, 13°08′ Latitude North
- Situated on the eastern portion of Albay province
- Approximately 556 kilometers south of Manila
Topography
Generally plain on the northeastern side with slope ranging from 5 to about 15 degrees while dominantly rolling to hilly on the southern part. Coastal areas vary from plain (northern portion) to hilly terrain (southern portion)
Brief History
Mayon Volcano and Town of Legaspi, Early 20th Century, Keystone View Company | Courtesy of John Tewell Collection
Legazpi was named after Miguel López de Legazpi, the Spanish conquistador who conquered the Philippine islands in 1565, and whose family name came from Legazpi, a town in Guipuzcoa, Spain.
The place was founded by the ancient settlers of the old barangay of Sawangan in the domain of Gat Ibal, a chief who ruled Albay. Spread in small groups of huts made of nipa and rattan, the small settlement occupied a conscription of low and swampy land known as Banuang-gurang or Binanuahan, which means old town or place in which a town was built.
Legazpi first became a city under the Becerra Law of 1892, which constituted the municipalities of Legazpi, Albay Nuevo and Daraga, into the Ayutamiento de Albay.
Legazpi became a city for the second time on July 18, 1948 when Daraga and Legazpi were combined again to constitute its territory, under Republic Act No. 306. With the re-creation of the two municipalities, the city was dissolved in June 8, 1954. Finally, on June 12, 1959, Legazpi became a city once more under Republic Act No. 2234. This was later amended by Republic Act No. 5525.
On February 27, 1973, the city of Legazpi was declared under Presidential Decree No. 125, to comprise its present territorial jurisdiction and the adjacent municipality of Daraga. With the onset of the Integrated Reorganization Plan however, the decree was permanently mothballed. This plan also made the city as the regional administrative center of the Bicol Region (Presidential Decree No.1).
Transportation Facilities
Legazpi Domestic Airport
Legazpi Domestic Airport, trunkline (2280 x 36 meters runway, 75 hectares total area)
Legazpi Port, national sub-port of entry (329 meters and 12 meters, total area is 4,942 square meters with an open storage space of 1,738 meters)
Legazpi Grand Terminal
Legazpi Railway Station
Total Road Network: 180.255 kilometers
Total number of bridges: 18 with an aggregate total length of 404.80 linear meters
Demographic Profile
| Total Population (Census 2007) | 179,481 |
| Urban Population | 108,249 (60.31%) |
| Rural Population | 71,232 (39.69%) |
| Population Density | 9 pax/ha. |
| Urban Population Density | 54 pax/ha. |
| Rural Population Density | 4 pax/ha. |
| Annual Pop. Grown Rate (2000-2007) | 1.86% |
| Number of Households (2000) | 30,612 |
| Average Household Size (2000) | 5.12 |
| Total Land Area | 20,420.40 has. |
| Urban Land Area | 1,988.74 has. (9.74%) |
| Rural Land Area | 18,431.66 has. (90.26%) |
| Location | 532 kms. South of Manila |
| Urban Barangays | 45 |
| Rural Barangays | 25 |
| Literacy Rate (2000) | 97% |
| Languages/Dialects Spoken | English, Filipino, Bikol, Chinese |
Weather
| Climate | Second Type. No definite dry season with the most rainfall from November to January |
| Ave. Annual Temperature | 27 degrees Celsius |
| Ave. Annual Rainfall | 230 mm |
Land Use
| Agriculture | 10,401.48 has. | 50.94% |
| Pasture/Grassland | 4, 656.00 has. | 22.80% |
| Built-up | 3,287.19 has. | 16.10% |
| Forest | 864.70 has. | 4.23% |
| Special Uses: | ||
| Mineral Quarry | 274.31 has. | 1.34% |
| Military Reservation | 12.07 has. | 0.06% |
| Airport | 56.75 has. | 0.28% |
| National Park | 857.90 has. | 4.20% |
| Sanitary Landfill | 10.00 has. | 0.05% |
Industry
| Primary Products | Rice and Root Crops |
| Secondary Products | Coconut |
| Exported Products | Coconut Oil, Copra Cake, Perlite, Artificial Hair (Wig), Abaca Products |
| Leading Home Industries | Cottage Industry and Noodles Manufacturing |
| Major Industries | Manufacturing and Mining |
| Occupation (majority) | Wage and Salary Workers |
| Income Classification | 2nd Class |
Balay de la Rama Bed & Breakfast
Balay de la Rama is a six-room family house, with six spacious rooms available for short-term homestay.
