Macro Site Analysis
Macro Site Analysis
Macro Site Analysis
PHYSICAL PROFILE
Albay has a total land area of 2,552.6 square kilometers, which makes it the 26th
smallest province. Most of Albay is located on mainland Bicol Peninsula and it has four
major islands to the east: Rapu-Rapu, Batan, Cagraray, and San Miguel.
Lagonoy Gulf borders the province to the northeast, separating it from the province of
Catanduanes. Burias Island in the province Masbate can be found to the southwest
across Burias Pass.
The province is generally mountainous with scattered fertile plains and valleys. Mayon
Volcano, standing at around 2460 meters, is the most famous landform in Albay, and in
the whole of Bicol, in fact. This active volcano is nearly perfectly-shaped and is
considered by many to be more beautiful than Mt. Fuji in Japan. Other mountains and
volcanoes in the province are Catburawan, Masaraga, Malinao, and Pantao.
CLIMATE
The least amount of rainfall occurs in September. The average in this month is 157 mm.
In January, the precipitation reaches its peak, with an average of 344 mm.
The temperatures are highest on average in April, at around 24.1 °C. At 23.0 °C on
average, January is the coldest month of the year.
The variation in the precipitation between the driest and wettest months is 187 mm. The
variation in annual temperature is around 1.1 °C.
CULTURE
Bicolano is the primary language spoken in Albay, being a part of the Bicol Region.
Majority of the inhabitants also understand Tagalog and English.
Down in the Bicol region, Albay remains on a festive spirit as it showcases its
cuisine, culture and craft in three different festivals this June. The month-long merry-
making begins as quaint town of Camalig puts forward its mouth-watering cuisine in
the Pinangat Festival from June 10-25.
DEMOGRAPHICS
The population of Albay in the 2015 census was 1,314,826 people, making it the 20th
most populous province in the country. It had a density of 510 inhabitants per square
kilometer or 1,300 inhabitants per square mile. Based on the 2007 census, there were
208,640 households in the province with an average size of 5.22 persons, significantly
higher than the national average of 4.99.
Shipping agents are available in the port and there are 17 third-class tramping
vessels TA No. 7122-PHI: Water District Development Sector Project PPTA – FR Vol. 5
– SPAR: LCWD 23 transporting goods and passengers to and from Legazpi City and
various points in the Provinces of Albay and Sorsogon. There are also 2 private ports in
the City. The Legazpi City Airport is the only trunk line airport in the Bicol Region. It has
a concrete runway of 1,974 meters and can accommodate medium-sized planes like the
Boeing 737. However, the airport operates only at daytime. It handles 6 flights daily by 2
airline companies, namely: the Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific.
Telephone services are handled by Bayantel and Digitel. Both use the SPC-
digital system and have a combined capacity of 19,554 connections. In 2006, there
were 8,673 fixed connections. Both companies also provide services for telegraph and
telex, serve as international gateway facility (IGF) operators, and extend services for
international long distance calls. Sun Cellular/Digitel Mobile, Globe Telecom, and Smart
Communications, Inc. provide cellular phone services through 7 cell sites located all
over the City. In 2006, the City had 19 NTC-accredited mobile phone service centers
and 16 NTC-accredited mobile phone dealers or retailers. There were 4 internet service
providers with DSL services in the City; these are Digitel, Bayantel, SMART, and PLDT.
Internet cafes grew from 17 in 2001 to 80 in 2006. The Legazpi City Post Office still
provides mail service, although it is losing out to competition from private service
providers. However, it was still able to post 245,195 letters and deliver 573,642 letters in
2005—a huge task for 22 letter carriers. There were also 15 AM and FM stations, 3
television stations, and 2 cable televisions in the City in 2006.
POWER SUPPLY
As of 2006, the entire City was almost covered by electric power. Of the 33,042
potential household customers of the Albay Electric Cooperative, Incorporated II
(ALECO II), 31,348 or 95% were already enjoying the benefits of electric power. The
urban barangays were already completely served and only far-flung sitios or puroks
were not served. However, electric service left much to be desired as frequent power
outages were experienced affecting the normal operation of residents, establishments,
and institutions. Also, the high power selling rate of the National Power Corporation
(NAPOCOR) to ALECO was an issue which forced consumers to pay high power rates.
Looting of power lines, tower parts, and other materials; high systems losses due to
pilferage; and low voltage supply affected the ability of ALECO to provide efficient
service at reasonable prices.
WATER SUPPLY