PROVINCE OF BATANES
   Capital: Basco
   Land Area: 230 square kilometers
   No. of Towns: 6

      Batanes, the smallest province in the Philippines in terms of population and land area consists of ten tiny islands and islets located about 162 kms. north of the Luzon mainland. Of this island group, the largest and most economically important are Itbayat, Batan and Sabtang. Five islets, namely, Siayan, Mavudis, Diogo, North Island and Y'ami form the northernmost frontier of the Philippine archipelago, Farther north, only 46 miles away from Y'ami is the southernmost tip of Taiwan. Two islets, Ivuhos and Dequey are situated south west of Sabtang. Almost one-half of Batanes are hills and mountains. Batan island, with a land area of 35sq. kms., is generally mountainous on the north and southeast. It has a basin in the interior. Itbayat Island, which has a total area of 95 sq. kms., slopes gradually to the west, being mountainous and hilly along its northern, eastern coast. As for Sabtang, mountains cover the central part of its 41 sq. km. area, making the island slope outward to the coast. The islands are situated between the vast expanse of the waters of Bashi Channel and Balintang Channel, where the Pacific Ocean, merges with the China Sea. The area is a sealane between the Philippines and Japan, China, Hongkong and Taiwan. It is rich with marine resources, including the rarest sea corals in the world. Toward the end of the Spanish regime, Batanes was made a part of Cagayan. In 1909, however , the American authorities organized it into an independent province. Because of its strategic location, the Batanes island group was one of the first points occupied by the invading Japanese imperial forces at the outbreak of the Pacific War. The Batanes Islands are a special place. Isolated from the rest of the country by miles of rough ocean, they have evolved into a truly unique destination--unlike any other island in the Philippine archipelago. The land is different--windswept hills and boulder-hemmed shores that lure, challenge and haunt. The people are different--a brave and skillful race of hardy, inscrutable survivors. The weather is different. In fact, the weather is king. Everyone and everything steps aside. The houses are different--stone walls, whitened with lime and roofed in thatch. The boats, the language, the crafts, the wine--all different. These islands have been compared to New Zealand, Ireland and the Scottish Highlands. They are not typically tropical. For some, they are a little too laid back, a little too unpredictable. The best laid travel plans have a way of going awry on these islands. So, you must make time for the Batanes. An Ivatan once said: "When you're on the Batanes, enjoy the Batanes. Don't worry about getting home". These islands grow on you, but you must wait and watch for your rewards - not a bad lesson for those of us who are sure we are the center of the universe. Once touched, you learn to enjoy the timelessness of these islands. For you, life can never be the same again. You know you'll return someday.

LAND AREA

    The total area of Batanes is estimated at 23,000 hectares (230 square kilometers), a size that is only a third of that Metro Manila. Batan, Itbayat, and Sabtang islands make up 90 percent of the province's land area. They are likewise the only inhabited ones. The rest of the province consists of the islands of Duquey, Ivuhos, Mavudis, Diogo, North Island and Y'ami. Ivuhos and Mavudis, while unpopulated, are used as communal pasture areas by residents of nearby Sabtang Island. Land Area by Municipality Municipality Area (Has.) Percent Share Basco 3,550 15.43% Mahatao 1,290 5.61% Ivana 1,180 5.13% Uyugan 1,550 6.74% Sabtang 4,070 17.70% Itbayat 9,290 40.39% Islets 2,070 9.00% In contrast to its small land area, the province has vast territorial waters measuring about 450,000 hectares.

TOPOGRAPHY

     The province is hilly and mountainous, with only 1,631.50 hectares or 7.10% of its area level to undulating and 78.20% or 17,994.40 hectares varying in terms from rolling to steep and very steep. Forty two percent (42%) or 9,734.40 hectares are steep to very steep land. Because of the terrain of the province, drainage is good and prolonged flooding is non-existent. The main island of Batan has the largest share of level and nearly level lands, followed by Itbayat and Sabtang, respectively. Itbayat has gently rolling hills and nearly level areas on semi-plateaus surrounded by continuous massive cliffs rising from 20-70 meters above sea level, with no shorelines. Sabtang on the other hand, has its small flat areas spread sporadically on its coasts, while its interior is dominated by steep mountains and deep canyons. Batan Island and Sabtang have intermittent stretches of sandy beaches and rocky shorelines. The terrain of the province while picturesque at almost every turn, has limited the potential for expansion of agriculture in an already very small province.

Tourism, Historic Churches

      There are four 200-year old churches worth visiting: Santo Domingo in Basco, San Jose in Ivana, San Carlos in Mahatao and San Vicente on Sabtang. They are all made of massive lime and stone construction and originally decorated in baroque. Radar Tukon A recently rehabilitated weather station on a hilltop in Tukon, Basco it offers a magnificent 360-degree view of Batan Island, the South Chine Sea, Mt. Iraya, Basco town proper, boulder-lined cliffs, and the Pacific Ocean. Sabtang One of the 12 best destinations in the Philippines according to a coffee table book published by the Department of Tourism. Undisturbed and unspoiled, Sabtang exists in another time. Lime and stone cogon thatched houses against a backdrop of steep mountains or restless sea. Intermitted white sand beaches and rough country trails. This is where they make soot, the Ivatan rain cape, and the best round-bottomed boats called fallowa. Architecture Ivatan houses are small with meter-thick walls and foot-thick thatched roofs. Walls are made of lime and stone to withstand the strongest typhoons. Roofs are made of cogon which keeps cool in the hottest weather. There are usually two houses - one for the living and sleeping area, and a smaller one for cooking and storing. Archeological Attractions There are, at least, two unique features that make Batanes a worthwhile stop for those with interest in archeology. One is the boat-shaped burial marker, another the stone columns. In certain parts of Batanes, one can find burial sites marked with stones which are laid down to the shape of the local boat tataya, with a pit carved in the middle from limestone bedrock. The first site was discovered in 1994 on Ivuhos Island. Another, which yielded the skeleton of a juvenile, was discovered the following year. In 1996, another boat-shaped burial site which yielded the skeleton of an adult was discovered. Carbon dating (C-14) conducted by the Geochron Laboratories in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A. in 1995 show the remains to have been buried in 1595 A.D. Experts say the only known boat-shaped burial markers are those made by the Vikings, dating about 8th to 12th centuries AD. They add that while there is no proven connection between the ancient burial traditions, their similarity would, at the very least suggests a parallel evolution of maritime societies.

Food

        Ivatan dishes use ingredients that are rich and unusual. During the off season, however, fresh food can be scare and hot meals can be expensive. If you plan to visit during these months, and are not part of a package tour, bring alone some basic canned goods. Cows and goats are grazed extensively on the islands. Garlic is a leading export, second the cattle. Root crops such as camote (sweet potato) gabi and a unique variety of white ube, are raised for local consumpsion - especially in the lean months. Sugar cane is cultivated to produce the heady Ivatan brew, palek. From March to May, fish and seafood are available. Dorado (arayo) and Spanish mackerel (tanigi) are favorite summer catches. They are eaten fresh or salted for consumption during the typhoon months. Flying fish (dibang) is also a local specialty. Coconut crab (tatus), spiny lobster (payi), helmet urchins (unot), that can be enjoyed when available. Salads and vegetables dishes are made from fern fronds (pak o), heart of banana or dips with your food. Batanes food is simple food. Unless you have brought your own food ready to help in the kitchen, don't expect to be served gourmet meals.

Weather

        The best season for a Batanes trip is from mid-April to mid-May. Sometimes, the weather is nice as early as February and as late as July. North or east winds bring in cooler air. They also bring in weather fronts and cloud build-ups that could cause flight cancellations. An indian summer supposedly takes place around September. Cool weather - a phenomenon Ivatans like to call winter - prevails from November to January. When dealing with the Batanes, always remember that, on these islands, the weather often changes suddenly. Just be ready for whatever follows your way.

Transportation

         The province can now be reached either by air or by sea. The Laoag International Airlines (LIA), which uses Fokker 27 aircraft flies out of the Manila Domestic Airport every Tue, Thurs and Saturday at 6:00 a.m. It Makes a 15 minute stop-over at the Laoag International Airport in Laoag City, where it picks up passengers. It leaves Laoag at 7:20 a.m. and arrives at the Basco Airport at 8:20 a.m. It leaves for Manila via Laoag City at 9:00 a.m. for the return flight. The Chemtrad Aviation Corporation provides an alternative air transport to the islands. It uses a 10-seater Britten Norman Islander. It flies out of the Tuguegarao City Airport in Cagayan province every Wednesday amd Friday. Occassionally, it originates from Laoag City, but this is dependent on the availability of passengers. Chemtrad carries all postal matters to and from the province, since it is under contract with the Philippine Postal Corporation. The cost of air travel for the Basco-Tuguegarao route is P2,300.00, one way. Inquiries maybe coursed thru the Chemtrad office at the Tuguegarao Airport at telephone number: (78) 844- 1568. Two cargo ships owned by the Batanes Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc. regularly ply the Manila-Basco sea route, bringing-in much needed supplies, like construction materials, food stuff and many others. Both the M/V Queen of Fatima and the M/V Don Rudito accept passengers, although they are not equiped as passengers ships. Its third ship, the MV Ivatan Princess, is to be launched this month (June 2002). It is a passenger ship, with a lying- in capacity of 300 passengers. It will ply the Currimao (Ilocos Norte)-Calayan (Cagayan)- Basco-Itbayat and vice versa sea route, twice a week. It will charge P820.00, one way. Three other privately owned vessels have been trying to provide competition to the two of the Cooperative, but their presence is hardly felt, if at all. These are most of the time chartered by Manila-based merchants. Public transportation in Batanes mainland is provided by at least 15 passenger jeepneys. Two vans, owned by enterprising young men can be hired, although the jeepneys could be hired also at a very much cheaper price. Travel to the island-municipalities of Sabtang and Itbayat (The northenmost municipality of the country) is still by motorboat. Travel time to Sabtang is 30 minutes, while the Basco- Itbayat route is 3 1/2 hours. Two jeepneys in Sabtang and one in Itbayat provide public transportation to the islanders. Lately, Chemtrad has been flying to Itbayat. The 10-minute flight costs P750.00 one way. Communication The Philippine Telephone Company (Piltel), and Bayantel carry voice and data capable of domestic and international direct dialing, although these could only be done thru the Public Calling Office (PCO), in all municipalities. Piltel facilities are capable of receiving incoming calls, in its five PCOs. These are: Basco: 533-3444 (fax); 533-3456; 198-1517 and 198-1518; Uyugan; 198-1521 and 198-1522; Sabtang: 198-1525 and 198-1526; Itbayat: 198-1529 and 198-1530; Ivana: 198-1523 and 198-1524. If you are outside Metro Manila, dial 02 plus the number to make an appointment call to the person you would like to talk to. If you're outside the Philippines, dial 011-632) plus the PCO number, also to make your appointment call. Bayantel, still does not accept incoming calls, due to its limited facilities. Smartlink started its operations in the province in June 2001. Several government offices, especially in Basco, have already installed their telephone. Approximately 150 private residences across the province also enjoy their own telephones. Even in the remotest villages like Chavayan and Sumnanga in Sabtang and Raele in Itbayat enjoy the comforts of the telephone. To get the private numbers of anybody, you can inquire from Smartlink's office, tel. no. 0981-990-108. Electric Power Electricity in the three islands is still provided by power generators. In Batan Islands, where the municipalities of Basco, Mahatao, Ivana and Uyugan are located, electric power is switched on at 6 a.m. until 12 midnight. In Sabtang, electricity is only available from 6-10 p.m., while in Itbayat, it is 6-9 p.m.

Language

           Ivatans still use their Austronesian language, peppered with pidgin Spanish and spoken with the musicality of Chinese. Ivatan is spoken on the islands of Batan and Sabtang. Itbayaten is spoken in Itbayat. English and Tagalog are widely spoken and understood by Ivatans, 95% of whom are literate.