Mayon Volcano: 'A Natural Wonder'

          Five hundred fifty three kilometers from Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, rises a near perfect cone volcano and one of the seven wonders in the world, the famous Mayon Volcano. Its summit measures 2,421 meters above sea level (masl) while its circular base has a radius of about 48 kilometers. Mayon Volcano is surrounded by five (5) municipalities and three (3) cities with a total land area of 5,775.70 hectares. Its symmetrical form at any horizontal direction made this volcano a truly scenic wonder. Mt. Mayon is the most active volcano in the Philippines, records showed that a total of 47 periodic eruptions occurred during the last 323 years. The earliest volcanic eruption occurred in February 1814, which has caused severe destruction and the worst bringing cagsawa in a complete ruin of the town and submersed it to mud, boulders and ash. Another destructive eruption occurred in 1897 and the latest occurred in June 2001. But inspite of the rearing threats faced by Albayanos, Mt. Mayon is still loved and admired regarding it as their fountain of strength and persistence. 

            Mt. Mayon was first shaped by Republic Act 3915 dated February 1, 1932 mandating the establishment of National Park. On October 24, 1932, it was proclaimed as Forest Reserve per Presidential Proclamation No. 341 and finally on July 20, 1938, Mayon was proclaimed as National Park by the late President Manuel l. Quezon per Presidential Proclamation No. 292 covering an area of 5,458.65 hectares. Recently, on November 21, 2001, Pres. Proclamation No. 413 was signed by then President Joseph Ejercito Estrada declaring Mt. Mayon Volcano as Natural Park.

           The area is abundant with varieties of rare and endangered flora, some of which were listed in the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Specied (CITES), among them are the Nepenthes rajali commonly known as pitcher plant and Cyatheaceae spp. or tree ferns. The climb to Mt. Mayon is in turn famous among local and foreign mountaineers. From time to time, Mayon conquest expedition is being undertaken and sponsored by the Department of Tourism (DOT). Reaching the summit will take two (2) days and one (1) night with a stop over at different designated camp site.

 Area: 5,775.70 hectares

 Highest point:   2,421 masl

 Flora and Fauna:

           The area is forested from 450 masl to 1,000 masl mostly tree forms and other associated tree ferns. Mossy forest from 800 masl to 1,200 masl. One hundred fifty six (156) species of plants belonging to 36 families are known to occur which includes one (1) dipterocarp species Hopea philippinensis. CITES listed Nepenthes rajali and Cyatheae spp. grows here. Fifty seven (57) species of birds like Otus megalotis (Philippine scops owl), Gallus gallus (Red jungle fowl), Ptilinopus merrily (Merrill?s fruit dove), Loriculus philippinensis (Phil. Hanging Parakeet), Bubophilippinensis (Phil. horned owl), and more than 34 herpetofaunal species and 13 mammalian species have been recorded.

 Activities:    Mountain climbing/Hiking, camping, bird watching, photography

 Amenities:   Shade houses, benchesm comfort room, administration building,

ecotrails, and water facilities

 How to get there:

           The distance from manila by air is approximately 205 statute miles taking a plane to Legazpi City. Flights are available everyday. It is also accessible by land transportation through the Quirino highway and approximately 553 kilometers or 523 miles away. Journey takes about 8 to 10 hours, aircon buses depart daily from Manila to Legazpi.

 Recommended tours and other interesting place to visit:

           Mayon Skyline Hotel at Buang, Tabaco City

          Cagsawa Ruins at Daraga, Albay

          Centennial Forest at Lidong, Sto. Domingo, Albay