TAGBAC refers to a plant with white, seedy, and tasty fruits and leaves. Due to its abundance in
Tabaco and quick expansion throughout the community, the assembly unanimously approved
the name "Matagbac". The barrio's first chapel was built in 1869 under the direction of
"CABEZANG ALEJANDRO". Don Mariano Riosa donated and was in charge of financing the
Chapel's construction on Bayanihan Way. In 1915, a strong typhoon wrecked the church, and
mass and fiesta were briefly suspended.
Around 1920, the Barangay Captain named Lauriano Bonganay bought an area of land near his
own house and, in due course, gave it as a gift to the future chapel of his new parish. Using
contributions, help from benefactors, charity, and support, the chapel was built. Matagbac
became the Barangay Fiesta from then on, with Rev. Fr. Tomas Robrigado taking up duty in the
town.
During Faustino Bornilla's tenure as kapitan del barrio, he gave enough property to construct a
barangay health facility. Mr. Binza (First Head Teacher of Matagbac Elementary School)
oversaw the construction of the elementary school, while the Pinagbobong Barangay Council
assisted with the construction of the water system.
During the administration of late Barangay Captain Bienvenido Almonte Sr., the barangay's
cooperation and support were developed. Matagbac was separated into three districts: Zone 1,
which has the Matagbac Elementaray School, a day care center, and a temporary health center;
Zone 2, which houses the Matagbac church and, of course, the Albay Electric Cooperative
headquarters. Zone 3 contains the historic monument of Matagbac's old chapel, which
resembles the ancient fruit of bayanihan. Eighty yards to the west is the Ortiz hermanos cockpit,
currently known as the Reymundo Ortiz memorial cockpit.
In 1981, Matagbac placed second in the kauswagan sa barangay. One of the leadership prizes
in the person category was successfully granted to Matagbac Youth Socioeconomic
Development Organization. The prize money from that competition was $5,000.00, It was used
to fund a barrio project that included the construction of a toilet and a bowl, which was donated
to residents of the barangay.
The administration of late barangay captain Juan Basmayor and its legislative members also
made various modifications in the barrio. Deca Housing Corporation developed a vacant vast
site owned by former Mayor Salvador Moran, resulting in the formation of Moran State
Subdivision. Matagbac was later separated into seven Puroks. Political help enabled the
construction of the day care center, as well as the Matagbac-Pinagbobong joint water system
project.