Two (2) legendary accounts give meaning to the name DARAGA.  One refers to a kind of tree growing in abundance on the top of a hill where a famous church now stands, while another refers to the more popular meaning of a “maiden.”  The latter version gives credence to the local term for unmarried women not only in the municipality of DARAGA but in the entire province.

The early beginnings of Daraga dates back to the 12^th Century with the arrival of migrant traders and settlers.  The settlement was officially established in 1772 by the Spanish Expeditionary Force led by Captain Juan De Salcedo.  It was first named Budiao and then Cagsawa, which was then only a “Visita” attached to the town of Camalig.  The Spanish Governor General Simon de Anda later renamed it as Daraga in 1872.  Subsequent changes in settlement were influenced by the constant threat posed by Mayon Volcano.  It culminated on that fateful day of February 01, 1814 when the burning stones and lava of Mayon Volcano completely buried the former settlements, Budiao and Cagsawa.  What remained was Cagsawa’s church bell tower and Budiao’s church walls.

Daraga became a district of Legazpi City under the Becerra Law of 1892.  In 1922, the Philippine Assembly granted autonomy to Daraga.  Then on December 15, 1948, Daraga was once again incorporated with Legazpi City as one district.  Republic Act 993 was passed on June 08, 1954 finally creating the Municipality of Daraga.  The name of Daraga was changed to Locsin in 1959, but Republic Act 4994 passed on June 17, 1967 restored its name back to Daraga.  Despite its turbulent origin, the municipality’s economy grew progressive and prosperous.  In 1999, it became a first class municipality, together with the Municipalities of Tabaco and Tiwi in Albay Province.  The growing urbanization of the municipality was a take-off from its agriculture-based economy.

Daraga draws trade relations with nearby Municipalities of Pilar and Castilla as main entry point of Sorsogon Province with other key development areas. It serves as a satellite center in the provision of critical services such as education, health, commerce, industry and communication. Daraga likewise plays a key role in the development of growth areas along the Legazpi-Iriga-Naga-Daet Growth Corridor.  Drawing on the strength and opportunities in the agriculture, commerce and industry sectors, the Municipality of Daraga foresees more progress in its economy and in the delivery of basic services to the Daragueños.

The Municipality of Daraga is located at the southwest portion of the province of Albay at geographic coordinates between 123^o and 124^o longitude and between 13^o and 14^o latitude.  Via Pan Philippine Highway, it has a distance of 487.9 kilometers from Manila with an average travel time of 8-12 hours, depending on road and traffic conditions.  By air, the distance is 329 kilometers with an average travel time from NAIA to Legazpi Airport of 45 minutes to 1 hour, and from Legazpi Airport to the Poblacion by car ride at 5 to 15 minutes depending on traffic conditions.

Daraga is one of the landlocked municipalities of the Province of Albay together with Camalig, Jovellar, Guinobatan, and Polangui.  It is bounded on the north by Mayon Volcano, at the east by Legazpi City, at the northwest and west by Camalig, at the southwest by Jovellar, and at the south by Pilar, Sorsogon.