Located along the coastlines of Lagonoy Gulf, a major fishing ground in the Bicol Region and the Philippines, are the seaports of Tabaco City in Albay and San Andres and Virac in Catanduanes. These ports have played crucial roles in the maritime history of the Bicol Region, serving as vital trade and transportation hubs that have shaped the economic and cultural landscape of Albay and Catanduanes.
Tabaco City’s history dates back to the Spanish colonial period, when it became a strategic settlement in the province of Albay. It was part of Partido de Tabaco which included the present-day towns of the First District of Albay, Legazpi, Daraga and Catanduanes. The port facilitated trade and governance, linking the region to other parts of the Philippines. During World War II, it played a role in wartime logistics, as Japanese forces occupied key coastal areas, including parts of Albay.
The coastal settlements in Catanduanes engaged in trade with neighboring islands long before Spanish colonization. Virac was first visited by Spanish forces in 1573 during an expedition against the Moro pirates. The Spanish later returned with Franciscan missionaries, leading to the Christianization of the local population, historical evidence of which is the Saint John the Baptist Church in Bato, which was built in the early 19th century.
In modern times, the seaports of Tabaco, San Andres and Virac serve as vital maritime gateways connecting mainland Bicol to the island province of Catanduanes — facilitating the movement of passengers, cargo, and fisherfolk and playing a crucial role in regional trade, transportation, and economic development in the Bicol Region.
Port of Tabaco City
The Port of Tabaco City, located along the eastern coast of Albay, is a bustling hub for inter-island travel. It serves both foreign vessels and domestic trade, handling cargo like copra and sugar. The port has two berths, one for foreign vessels and the other for domestic trade. It also serves as the primary access for travelers heading to Catanduanes, offering ferry services to San Andres and Virac Ports. As a fish port, it provides access to the neighboring islands of San Miguel, Bacacay, and Rapu-Rapu, as well as seaports in Camarines Sur located in Lagonoy Gulf, namely Nato, Talisay, Sabang (temporarily closed), and Guijalo. The dry dock facility located in Barangay Salvacion in Tabaco can handle ship repair and boat building.
Port of San Andres
The town of San Andres is known as the “Gateway of the Province of Catanduanes. Owing to its proximity to mainland Bicol, the Port of San Andres caters primarily to passenger and RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) vessels, facilitating inter-island travel and commerce. The Philippine Ports Authority has announced that a major renovation of the port is underway to handle the number of ferries and passengers arriving and departing the province through this facility. This will include pier extension, ramp build-up and RoRo ramp with platform.
Port of Virac
The Port of Virac in Catanduanes is a designated tertiary terminal to support Legaspi and Tabaco in meeting the maritime needs of the region. Unprocessed abaca fiber and copra represent the major export products of the province. Thus, the port handles abaca and copra and other products for outbound cargo and cement, rice, bottled products and other commercial freight for inbound cargo. It also accommodates passengers that travel to and from Tabaco.
Shipping Companies
RORO ferry service between Tabaco and San Andres is available on the MV Calixta (V, VI, VIII, XII) and MV Star Ferry vessels operated by Regina Shipping Lines for passengers, motorbikes, passenger cars, delivery vans, and 6-wheeler/10-wheeler transport trucks. There are four daily trips, about 3 hours each way. Land transportation is available from San Andres town to Virac City.
Service between Tabaco and Virac is handled by MV Silangan V and MV Silangan VI operated by Cardinal Silangan Shipping Lines and by MV Eugene Elson operated by Penafrancia Shipping Lines (aka Sta. Clara Shipping Corp.) with each vessel sailing one daily trip each way. The trip takes about 4 hours.
As vessel availability, port and sea conditions vary, it is best to contact each shipping company for information on schedule and fares. Some vessels feature air-conditioning.
It is interesting to note that there are shipping companies of significant size in the Bicol Region. Candano Shipping Lines Corp. owns the only significant shipyard in the Bicol region, the Mayon Docks in Bgy. Salvacion, Tabaco City, which have two slipways, 1200 GT and 2000 GT capacity), not far from the seaport. The largest is the shipping combine of Sta. Clara Shipping Corp. and Peñafrancia Shipping Corp. which own RORO ferries that also operate in Eastern Visayas.
Conclusion
Beyond transportation, these ports contribute significantly to the local economy. They support the livelihoods of fisherfolk, traders, and port workers, fostering commerce and tourism in the region. The steady influx of passengers and cargo enhances business opportunities, while the presence of maritime services strengthens the economic ties between Albay and Catanduanes and the rest of Bicol.
The header features the port of Tabaco City with Mayon Volcano in the background. (stock photo: dreamstime.com). This article was written by Jojo De Jesus for Dateline Ibalon using these references: Tabaco City website, Catanduanes website, Go Catanduanes, Discover the Philippines, and the FB pages of Regina Shipping Lines, Cardinal Silangan Shipping Lines and Peñafrancia Shipping Corp., and the Philippine Ship Spotters Society.