Itbayat, Batanes
Encyclopedia
Itbayat is a 5th class municipality in the province of Batanes, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

. According to the latest census, it has a population of 3,069 people in 719 households.

The island of Itbayat is the largest of the three inhabited islands that compose the province of Batanes. It is also the northernmost municipality in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

, located only over 200 kilometers from the southernmost tip of Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...

.

While the church and civil government were already established in Batan Island mid 1783, its was only in 1855 that civil authority was officially established and the mission canonically founded in Itbayat. A mere pueblo during the Spanish regime, it became a municipal district when the Americans organized the province in 1909. However, in 1935, it became a municipality.

Barangays

Itbayat is politically subdivided into 5 barangay
Barangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...

s.
  • San Jose (Raele)
  • San Rafael (Idiang)
  • Santa Lucia (Kauhauhasan)
  • Santa Maria (Marapuy)
  • Santa Rosa (Kaynatuan)

Transportation

The only way to reach Itbayat by a direct route from Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...

 is by plane. There are commercial carriers that service flights to Itbayat from Basco, the capital of Batanes:
  • Chemtrad
By reservation pending full booking, 8 seater plane

  • Air Batanes
With flights every Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. 8 seater plane

  • Cyclone Airways

Tourist Attactions

  • Siayan Island
An island north of Itbayat with beautiful beaches, one hour ride by motorboat from Itbayat (depending on sea condition)

  • Di'nem Island
An island made of lowering cliff with boulder beaches and good for mountain climbing.

  • Rapang Cliff
A natural park with a ringing mushroom like rock, believed to have been used to call the ancient settlers to a meeting.

  • Mount Riposed
One of the two volcanoes that have been the foundation of Itbayat Island, This volcano has panoramic view of the island.

  • Mount Karaboboan
The other pair of Mount Riposed that is one of the foundation of Itbayat. It is also an old settlement for the early settlers of Itbayat.

  • Torongan Cave
The most ancient dwelling place and on top is a burial ground, and believed to be the first landing place of the austronecians from Taiwan 2000 BC.

  • Nahini Votox
With its own Ijang and boat-shaped burial grounds. It is also an ancient settlement with plenty of broken clay pots. Its Ijang has a spectacular view of Dinem and the easter cost of Itbayat Island.

  • Underground Stream in Kumayasakas
It flows down the sea, northwest of Itbayat.

  • Itbayat Caves
These caves have a majestic feature of stalagmites and stalagtites. The caves are named Northern Sarokan, Eastern Sarokan, Do'tboran Cave, and Pevangan Cave.

  • Agosan Rock
A rock formation north of Itbayat. It is a breeding site for endangered birds.

  • Vernacular houses
These are composed of 3 structures:
  • the Kitchen where they use kugon to cook;
  • the actual house where people stay;
  • the bathroom.

  • Port Mauyen
An alternative port south of Itbayat with 14 zigzag roads. Located 14 kilometers from town.

  • Groto - 155 steps up

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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