History of the Park
According to the legend, magayon is the root word of Mayon, the name of the volcano which is the most imposing landmark in the province of Albay and known all over as having the most perfect cone in the world. The root word means beautiful. Mt. Mayon, some people declare, is symbolic of the Bicolano character. Definitely beautiful, peace loving and kind, but also capable of violence when provoked.
Mt. Mayon is a remarkably symmetrical mountain rising from a broad base in western shores of Albay Gulf between Legazpi and Tabaco Cities. Its summit measures 2,421 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l) while its circular base has a radius of about 48 kilometers per its proclaimed perimeter. Mayon Volcano Natural Park (MVNP) is surrounded by 5 municipalities (Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Malilipot and Sto. Domingo) and 3 cities (Legazpi, Ligao and Tabaco).
Based on available records, Mt. Mayon is the most active volcano in the country and has recorded a great number of periodic eruptions reckoned from it first in 1616. The most violent and devastating of Mayon Volcano eruptions happended February 1, 1814. The latest eruption occurred in June 2001.
MVNP is accessible by both land and air transportations. Albay and Legazpi City are accessible by land through Maharlika Highway (via Daet, Camarines Norte) or the Quirino Highway (via Ragay, Camarines Sur). The distance from Manila by land is about 550 kilometers and approximately 205 statute miles by air. If you are in Legazpi City, it is only 11 kilometers away or about 15 minutes ride in a car.
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.
