Brief Description
The island-territory of Batanes was made by a progression of volcanic exercises and other geologic powers a large number of years prior.
The area is home to the popular Ivatans who are broadly acclaimed as the “Genuine Insulares”. The Ivatans are of Malay stock, following their underlying foundations to early outsiders from Formosa, Taiwan just as Spaniards who went to the island in the sixteenth century. Being a separate people, the Ivatans have kept the virtue of their genetic supply through time.
Batanes lies at the northernmost tip of the Philippines, where the Pacific Ocean converges with the South China Sea. It is made out of three significant islands, to be specific: Batan which contains the capital town of Basco, Sabtang, and Itbayat. Close by are seven islets including Amianan, which is the nearest to Formosa. In this way, Batanes has been distinguished as the nation’s potential door to East China.
Batanes History…
“The island-territory is strewn on a 4,500 square kilometer span of regional waters, the Luzon Strait and Balintang Channel, where the Pacific Ocean converges with the South China Sea, a sea lane between the Philippines and the southern pieces of Japan, China, Hongkong, and Taiwan. It is limited on the north by the Bashi Channel, on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the west by the South China Sea, and on the south by the Balintang Channel. It is described by delicately moving slopes, bluffs, and high contrast sand seashores.
Batanes is around 860 kilometers (approx. 525 miles) from Manila. Basco, the capital town, is around 280 kilometers north of Aparri and around 190 kilometers south of Taiwan.
Political Subdivision
Batanes has six regions, 29 barangays, and one congressional locale. The six districts are Ivana, Uyugan, Mahatao, Basco (the capital), and the island regions of Sabtang and Itbayat.
Climate
The Batanes climate is fairly wonderful. Contrasted with the remainder of the nation, Batanes is honored with a cooler, more refreshing atmosphere. It appreciates basically four seasons, the best one being summer which is from March to June. Normal month to month precipitation is 450 mm.
Population
The 2002 statistics of the populace for Batanes enrolled a populace aggregate of 16,467 appropriated over a land territory of 230 square kilometers.
Language / Dialect
The native language of Batanes is Ivatan, spoken by 93.94 percent of all things considered. The Ilocano lingo is additionally spoken while Filipino and English are commonly spoken and comprehended.
Major Industries
The region has an absolute rural land territory of 5,438 hectares and has a wide region open for rural extension. Because of its landscape, it is a significant animal maker with steers as its principal stock. Carabaos and goats are additionally prevalently raised. Another significant industry is angling which arrives at its top throughout the mid-year months, from March to June, when the seawater is generally quiet.
Batanes History…
In 1782, Philippine Governor-General Jose Basco y Vargas sent a campaign to embrace the customs of getting the assent of the Ivatans to become subjects of the King of Spain. On June 26, 1783, Joseph Huelva Melgarjo turned into the main Governor of Batanes. The new region was named Provincia de la Concepcion. Senator Basco was named “Conde de la Conquista de Batanes” and the capital town was named after him.
Manila chose to downsize the area in 1799 since it was not able to help itself. The workplace of the senator was abrogated and Valero Bermudez was named Alcalde. Be that as it may, upon the conventional acknowledgment of the Itbayat Mission in 1855, the governorship was reestablished and Fernando de la Cuevas was allocated, Governor.
On September 18, 1898, Katipuneros from Luzon lifted their banner at Radiwan in Ivana. From that point, on September 20, another arrangement of officials was chosen, with Teofilo Castillejos as Governor.
In February 1900, the USS Princeton arrived in Batanes to flag the start of American principle. The area turned into a negligible township for the second time under Cagayan, as ordered by Provincial Government Act No. 83 of the American Government on February 6, 1901. The state-funded School framework was begun.
Batanes turned into an area by and by the arrangement of Act 1952 authorized on May 10, 1909, and Otto Scheerer was named Governor. The administration of Manila raised a remote transmit tower and station in the region; better streets were manufactured and a horticultural land was changed over into an air terminal. The nearness of broad communications and radio interchanges decreased social detachment. Foundation, jolt, and remote ocean angling improved and a move to rice from pull crops for conventional subsistence was affected.
Batanes Is Famous For…
Seascape and Landscape
This island-region, the littlest as far as land zone, is honored with an immaculate domain that has been announced as a Protected Seascape and Landscape.
The Ivatans
The well disposed of Ivatans of Batanes, considered as “Genuine Insulares,” can be discovered welcome guests and vacationers strolling along the roads of the island-region.
Garlic
The garlic produced from Batanes is known for its prevalent quality.
Dried Fish
A nearby staple of the region, dried fish is particularly rich in the mid-year months, from March to June.
Handicrafts
Local caps and fans are among the more well-known fare quality workmanship results of the area.
Sugarcane
Privately known as Palek, sugarcane is being sold broadly in the area
Things to Do and see in Batanes…
Natural
Sabtang Island
Picked as one of the 12 Best Destinations in the Philippines by the Department of Tourism in 1994, this island southwest of Batan Island stays undisturbed and untainted. It has discontinuous white sand seashores, soak mountains, and profound gullies with little level zones sporadically found along the coastline. Open in a short time by flown from Radiwan Port in Ivana. Additionally, the takeoff point for Ivuhos Island from Barangay Nakanmuan.
Itbayat Island
Found north of Batan Island, it is encompassed by monstrous stones and bluffs ascending from 20-70 feet above ocean level and has no shoreline. It has an earth airstrip for light airplanes. Ships run the Batan-Itbayat course; travel time is around four hours by falowa from the Basco Seaport. Light planes fly from Basco Airport to Itbayat in 12-minute outings at PhP700.00/pax.
Batan Island
The focal point of business and seat of the commonplace government. The most populated island of the area, it is made out of the districts of Basco, Ivana, Uyugan, and Mahatao.
Mount Iraya
A lethargic spring of gushing lava remaining at 1,517 meters whose last ejection was recorded in 505 AD. Perfect for mountaineering, trekking, and trailblazing. It is a mobile good ways from Basco and can be a move to the top in around three hours.
Mavudis Island
The northernmost island of Batanes. “Tatus” or coconut crabs possess large amounts of this island encompassed by rich marine life.
Di-atay Beach
An excellent bay with multi-shaded shakes and white sand. Perfect for picnics and seashore brushing. Situated along the national expressway among Mahatao and Ivana; 9.85 kilometers from Basco.
Songsong
(Chadpidan Bay). Well known for its delightful nightfall see and huge stone rocks. It is three kilometers or an hour of an invigorating trek from Basco legitimate. Naidi Hills. A mobile good ways from Basco.
Chawa Cave
Accepted to be a charming cavern, it has a characteristic salt bed and a mouth that opens toward the South China Sea and is available through the rocks of Chawa Point in Mahatao. Found four kilometers from Basco.
Nakabuang Cave
Found 5.5 kilometers from San Vicente Centro in Sabtang.
Mt. Matarem
A wiped out spring of gushing lava estimating 495 meters at its summit. Found eight kilometers from Basco.
White Beach
Situated in Vatang, Hapnit, and Mavatuy Point at Mahatao.
Trekking
Well known movement at Marlboro Hills and Naidi Hills.
Surfing
Well known movement at Madiwedved, Mahatao.
Bird Watching at Cuyab
Watch the transitory flying creatures from China that run the islands looking for a hotter atmosphere each October.
Religious
San Jose Church
(Ivana). Worked in 1814 in spite of the fact that its establishment goes back to 1795. Of all the old places of worship in Batanes, it is the one, in particular, that has not worked in the espadaña style. It has a crenelated stronghold like campanile or belltower that gives the presence of a fortress. Fronts the Ivana Seaport and offers a directing perspective on the ocean and encompassing wide open because of its rise. Found 14 kilometers from Basco.
San Carlos Borromeo Church & Convent
(Mahatao). Established in 1789 and worked in 1873, it has a façade demonstrated after that of Basco Cathedral, with two round curves at the rooftop level for the ringers. On its external dividers are monstrous supports that used to fill in as stairways to the rooftop – a thing of accommodation in the days of yore when successive fixes must be made to the cogon grass material. The congregation despite everything holds its hundreds of years old highlights. Found six kilometers from Basco.
Church of Sto. Domingo de Basco (Basco Cathedral)
Built-up in 1783, it is the most seasoned and most significant church in Batanes. To invigorate the façade soundness and against seismic tremors and storm winds, the congregation dividers were buttressed with monstrous pilasters from establishment to top. The congregation is devoted to the Immaculate Concepcion, patroness of Batanes.
San Vicente Ferrer Church
(Sabtang Island). Another congregation displayed after the one in Basco. Following a grievous occurrence in 1790, when Spanish emissaries sent to secure products from the ward were executed by certain locals, the individuals of Sabtang were coercively resettled over the channel to Ivana and not permitted to return until 1844 when the establishments of the present church were laid.
Man-Made
Kanyuyan Beach & Port
(Baluarte Bay, Basco). The port of call of the cargo ships bringing goods from Manila.
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Special Interest
Sitio Jura at Racujaide
The fishermen’s village at Mananoy Bay. Fishing season is marked by a festival in mid-March called Payvanuvanuan during which visitors are treated with fresh fish delicacies from the Pacific Ocean. Within the area is the legendary “Spring of Youth” and a living cave with crystal limestone formations. Mananoy Bay is nine kilometers from Basco proper.
Batanes Day (June 26)
Marked with playground demonstrations, parades, the Palu-Palo Festival, and other cultural events
Feast of Three Kings (January 6
On this day, the image of the Sto. Niño (Holy Child) is venerated in every home in Batanes.
Economic
Ruins of Songsong
A “ghost barangay” which is really a cluster of roofless shells of old stone houses abandoned after a tidal wave that hit the island of Batan in the 1950s. The area has a long stretch of beach. Located 23 kilometers from Basco.
Radiwan Point
Located at Ivana Seaport. The landing site of the Katipuneros on September 18, 1898. Also the ferry station of the falowas plying the islands of Sabtang and Itbayat.
How to Get There
By Sea
The Batanes Multi-Purpose Cooperative now carries the MV Ivatan Princess which runs the Currimao, Ilocos Norte – Basco, Batanes route. It leaves Ilocos Norte at 8 pm on Wednesdays and Sundays and arrives in Basco at 4 pm the next day. From Basco, it leaves at 3 pm on Tuesdays and10 pm on Fridays. Fare is PhP1,200 and travel time is about 18 hours. Contact Mr. Antonio Castro at Mobile No. (0917) 793-0102.
By Air
SEAIR flies to Batanes from Manila three times a week using a 19-seater Let 410 with the following schedules: Manila 6 am to Laoag City 7:30 am, Mondays, PhP2,000; Laoag City 8 am to Basco 9 am or Basco 9:30 am to Laoag City 10:30 am, Wednesdays, PhP1,950; Laoag City 11 am to Manila 12:30 pm, Fridays, PhP2,000. Fare excludes the Insurance Fee of PhP150 and Security Fee of PhP15. Contact Ms. Marina Arma at Tel. No. (02) 714-2218.
