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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Itbayat
Itbayat, officially the Municipality of Itbayat, (Ivatan: Kavahayan nu Itbayat; Ilocano: Ili ti Itbayat; Tagalog: Bayan ng Itbayat), is a municipality in the province of Batanes, Philippines. In the 2020 census, it had a population of 3,128 people.

Itbayat is the country's northernmost municipality, located 156 kilometers (97 mi) from the southernmost tip of Taiwan.

The main island of Itbayat is the largest in Batanes. The municipality includes the rest of the province's northern islands, all small and mostly uninhabited. These islands are, from south to north: Di'nem Island, Siayan, Misanga, Ah'li, and Mavulis Island, the northernmost island of the Philippine archipelago.

History

A church and civil government were established in Batan Island in 1783. In 1855, civil authority was established and the mission canonically founded in Itbayat. A settlement during the Spanish colonial period, it became a municipal district when the Americans organized the province in 1909. In 1935, it became a municipality.

On September 14, 2016, Typhoon Meranti (Ferdie) made landfall on Itbayat while at peak intensity, as a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon, with the center of the eye passing directly over the island. During landfall, the storm's powerful winds caused extensive damage and knocked out the island's communications systems.

On July 27, 2019, a series of destructive earthquakes, the largest of them of magnitude 6.0, caused severe damage in the town. Nine people died as a result, and sixty were injured.

In 2024, Barangay San Rafael hosted the April 14 to June 6 Balikatan exercise involving the construction of humanitarian, logistics and disaster relief warehouse at Sitio Kagonongan, a supply depot area at the San Rafael National Food Authority warehouse and an American physician’s assistant station and lodging facilities for American soldiers at Itbayat District Hospital. In May 2024, the Philippine Coast Guard opened its first monitoring station in northern Luzon, located in Itbayat island, as part of efforts to monitor the entry of foreign vessels particularly from China. In June, the 51st Engineer Brigade' 513th Engineer Construction Battalion and United States Army, with Batanes LGU, Governor Marilou Cayco and Mayor Sabas C. De Sagon, led the dedication ceremony in Itbayat, of the 10x8-meters concrete logistical structure, Humanitarian assistance and Disaster response relief goods warehouse, part of 'Exercise Salaknib'.

Geography

Physical map of Itbayat

Itbayat is located at 20°47′16″N 121°50′29″E / 20.7878°N 121.8415°E / 20.7878; 121.8415.

The municipality has a land area of 83.13 square kilometres (32.10 sq mi) . It constitutes 37.96% 219.01-square-kilometre- (84.56 sq mi) of the total area of Batanes.

Islands, islets, atolls and outcrops

The entire municipality of Itbayat constitutes several islands, islets, atolls and outcrops.

  • Itbayat Island, the largest of the group is where the administrative center is located.
  • Di'nem Island is located southeast of Itbayat island and part of the Ibayat group of islands.
  • Mavulis Island, located between the northernmost Y'Ami and Itbayat island, is the second largest among the group. Nearby is Siayan island and Maysanga islet.
  • Maysanga islet lies next and south of Mavulis island and north of Siayan island and part of the Ibayat group of islands.
  • Siayan Island is located south of Mavulis island and part of the Ibayat group of islands under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Itbayat.
  • North Island lies nearby Y'ami island and is part of the Ibayat group of islands. At least two outcrops can be found nearby.
  • Y'Ami Island, the northernmost of the Itbayat group under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Itbayat. It is the northernmost point of the Philippines and the last territorial island bordering Taiwan.

Barangays

Itbayat is politically subdivided into five barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.


PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2020 2010
020902006 Raele 14.9% 465 442 ▴ 0.51%
020902007 San Rafael (Idiang) 23.8% 745 789 ▾ −0.57%
020902008 Santa Lucia (Kawxawxasan) 13.5% 422 478 ▾ −1.24%
020902009 Santa Maria (Marapuy) 14.8% 463 438 ▴ 0.56%
020902010 Santa Rosa (Hiñatu) 24.7% 772 841 ▾ −0.85%
Total 3,128 2,988 ▴ 0.46%

Climate

Itbayat has cooler temperatures from December to February due to its northerly location.

Climate data for Itbayat (1991–2020, extremes 1971–2023)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 30.6
(87.1) 		31.8
(89.2) 		32.5
(90.5) 		34.8
(94.6) 		36.5
(97.7) 		35.6
(96.1) 		37.0
(98.6) 		34.6
(94.3) 		34.5
(94.1) 		32.9
(91.2) 		31.8
(89.2) 		30.2
(86.4) 		37.0
(98.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 24.6
(76.3) 		25.0
(77.0) 		26.7
(80.1) 		28.5
(83.3) 		30.2
(86.4) 		31.5
(88.7) 		31.3
(88.3) 		30.8
(87.4) 		30.3
(86.5) 		28.9
(84.0) 		27.5
(81.5) 		25.4
(77.7) 		28.4
(83.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) 21.5
(70.7) 		21.8
(71.2) 		23.3
(73.9) 		25.1
(77.2) 		27.0
(80.6) 		28.2
(82.8) 		28.1
(82.6) 		27.8
(82.0) 		27.3
(81.1) 		25.8
(78.4) 		24.4
(75.9) 		22.3
(72.1) 		25.2
(77.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 18.3
(64.9) 		18.6
(65.5) 		19.9
(67.8) 		21.8
(71.2) 		23.8
(74.8) 		25.0
(77.0) 		24.9
(76.8) 		24.7
(76.5) 		24.3
(75.7) 		22.7
(72.9) 		21.3
(70.3) 		19.2
(66.6) 		22.0
(71.6)
Record low °C (°F) 12.2
(54.0) 		10.7
(51.3) 		13.8
(56.8) 		14.0
(57.2) 		18.8
(65.8) 		20.0
(68.0) 		18.7
(65.7) 		20.0
(68.0) 		19.8
(67.6) 		15.0
(59.0) 		14.8
(58.6) 		12.5
(54.5) 		10.7
(51.3)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 149.1
(5.87) 		70.0
(2.76) 		49.8
(1.96) 		61.5
(2.42) 		187.8
(7.39) 		191.9
(7.56) 		254.0
(10.00) 		365.8
(14.40) 		292.6
(11.52) 		272.8
(10.74) 		224.5
(8.84) 		158.2
(6.23) 		2,278
(89.69)
Average rainy days (≥ 1 mm) 15 9 6 5 11 10 13 16 14 13 14 16 142
Average relative humidity (%) 84 85 85 86 87 87 88 89 88 87 86 85 86
Source: PAGASA

Demographics

Population census of Itbayat
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 1,198—    
1918 1,363+0.86%
1939 1,625+0.84%
1948 1,954+2.07%
1960 2,365+1.60%
1970 2,760+1.55%
1975 2,978+1.54%
1980 2,859−0.81%
1990 3,448+1.89%
1995 3,129−1.80%
2000 3,616+3.15%
2007 3,069−2.24%
2010 2,988−0.97%
2015 2,867−0.78%
2020 3,128+1.73%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

In the 2020 census, Itbayat had a population of 3,128. The population density was 38 inhabitants per square kilometre (98/sq mi).

Economy

Poverty incidence of Itbayat

10
20
30
40
2006
18.20
2009
12.56
2012
34.10
2015
26.38
2018
30.92
2021
12.01

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Fishing

In 2024, Batanes's first municipal tilapia hatchery was inaugurated in Barangay Raele.

Government

Local government

Main article: Sangguniang Bayan

Itbayat belongs to the lone congressional district of the province of Batanes. It is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive, and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election held every three years.

Elected officials

Members of the Municipal Council
(2019–2022)
Position Name
Congressman Ciriaco B. Gato Jr.
Mayor Raul M. De Sagon
Vice-Mayor Ronald V. Gutierrez
Councilors Sabas C. De Sagon
Jonel C. Villa
Zenas N. Labrador
Ernesto A. Castillo
Ferdinand G. Asa
Emerson V. Valiente
Alexander Valiente
Onesimo G. Manzo

Education

The Schools Division of Batanes governs the town's public education system. The division office is a field office of the DepEd in Cagayan Valley region. The office governs the public and private elementary and public and private high schools throughout the municipality.

Tourism

  • Siayan Island: the nearest island to the north of Itbayat. It has beaches accessible by a one-hour ride by motorboat from Itbayat (depending on sea condition).
  • Di'nem Island: this volcanic island is located east of Itbayat. It features boulder beaches with towering cliffs used for mountain climbing.
  • Rapang Cliff: A natural park with a ringing mushroom-like rock. It is believed to have been used by the ancient settlers to call a meeting.
  • Mount Riposed: One of the two major elevations (aside from Karaboboan) that have been the foundation of Itbayat Island. Situated in the south-eastern part of Itbayat has an elevation of 900 feet (270 m) that offers views of the island.
  • Mount Karaboboan (Mount Santa Rosa): The other extinct volcano of Itbayat Island is in the island's northern half. Near the 800-foot (240 m) mountain is a settlement of the early settlers of Itbayat near Barangay Santa Rosa.
  • Torongan Cave: The most ancient dwelling place has a burial ground on top. It is believed to be the first landing place of the Austronesians from Taiwan around 2000 BC.
  • Nahili Votox: With its own Ijang and boat-shaped burial grounds, it is also an ancient settlement where many broken clay pots have been found. Its Ijang has views of Dinem and Itbayat Island's eastern coast.
  • Underground Stream in Kumayasakas: The stream flows down the sea, north-west of Itbayat.
  • Itbayat Caves: These caves feature stalagmites and stalactites, and have been given the names Northern Sarokan, Eastern Sarokan, Do'tboran Cave, and Pevangan Cave.
  • Agosan Rock: rock formation north of Itbayat which is a breeding site for endangered birds.
  • Vernacular houses: A typical vernacular house is composed of three 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 a 14-turn zigzag road. It is 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) south of the town.
  • Groto: 155 steps up

Infrastructure

Transportation to the island town is by boat or by plane direct from the provincial capital of Basco.

Jorge Abad Airport serves as the gateway to the island for STOL planes through Basco airport or other airports from mainland Luzon. There are small carriers that provide commercial scheduled and non-scheduled flights to Itbayat from Basco Airport. Jorge Abad Airport is served by the following small airline companies:

The town can be reached by sea going vessels that provide transportation for locals and tourists between Itbayat and Basco. The following companies provide daily scheduled voyage between Basco and Itbayat:

  • M/B Ocean Spirit
  • M/B Itranza
  • M/B Veronica

There are no private charter boats or larger vessels in the island. Charter flights, however, can be scheduled to and from the town.

References

  1. ^  Municipality of Itbayat | (DILG)
  2. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. ^ Census of Population (2020). "Region II (Cagayan Valley)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. ^ Clark, Steven (September 14, 2016). "Eye of Typhoon Meranti Passes Over Philippines' Itbayat". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on September 15, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  6. ^ Smith, Nicola (September 14, 2016). "Typhoon Meranti: Fears for Tiny Philippine Island in Eye of a Megastorm". The Guardian. Taipei. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  7. ^ Tupaz, Voltaire (September 18, 2016). "Zero Casualty: Government Reaches Isolated Batanes Island". Rappler. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  8. ^ Neil Arwin Mercado; Nathan Alcantara (27 July 2019). "UPDATE: 9 dead, 60 injured in Batanes quakes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2019-07-27.
  9. ^ "Itbayat church, ancestral homes damaged in Batanes earthquake". Rappler. 27 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  10. ^ Acosta, Rene; Nicolas, Bernadette (29 July 2019). "Duterte visits quake-hit Batanes as residents await additional aid". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  11. ^ Corrales, Nestor (April 6, 2024). "Batanes as 'Balikatan' site: US Army execs arrive to build Warehouse". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  12. ^ Rita, Joviland (March 5, 2024). "PH-US 2024 Balikatan to be held in Batanes, Palawan". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  13. ^ Morales, Angelica (May 25, 2024). "Kauna-unahang monitoring station ng Philippine Coast Guard, itinayo sa Batanes" (in Filipino). Bombo Radyo. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  14. ^ Mendoza, John Eric (June 20, 2024). "PH, US troops complete relief goods warehouse in Batanes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  15. ^ "Province:". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  16. ^ "Municipal: Itbayat". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  17. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region II (Cagayan Valley)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  18. ^ "Itbayat, Batanes Climatological Normal Values" (PDF). Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 15, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  19. ^ "Itbayat, Batanes Climatological Extremes" (PDF). Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 15, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  20. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region II (Cagayan Valley)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  21. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region II (Cagayan Valley)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  22. ^ "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  23. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  24. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  25. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
  26. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
  27. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
  28. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
  29. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  30. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  31. ^ Mendoza, John Eric (April 4, 2024). "First tilapia hatchery in Batanes unveiled". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  32. ^ "DA-BFAR, LGU Itbayat Inaugurate Batanes' First-Ever Tilapia Hatchery". Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  33. ^ List of Elected City/Municipal Candidates: May 13, 2019 National and Local Elections (PDF). Commission on Elections. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  34. ^ "DepEd Regional Office No. 02". Department of Education Regional Office No. 02 (Cagayan Valley). Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  35. ^ United States Coast and Geodetic Survey (1919). United States Coast Pilot, Philippine Islands, Part 1, Luzon, Mindoro, and Visayas. Washington: Government Printing Office. p. 38.
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