Itbayat, Batanes

"Itbayat" redirects here. For the island, see Itbayat Island.

Itbayat
—  Municipality  —
Map of Batanes showing the location of Itbayat.
Itbayat Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 20°47′N 121°51′E
Country	Philippines
Region	Cagayan Valley (Region II)
Province	Batanes
District	Lone District
Founded	1935
Barangays	6
Government
• Mayor	Romy Gonzales
Area
• Total	83.13 km2 (32.10 sq mi)
Population (2007)
• Total	3,069
• Density	37/km2 (96/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	3905
Income class	5th class

Population Census of Itbayat
Census	Pop.		Rate
1995	3,129		—
2000	3,616		3.15%
2007	3,069		-2.24%

Itbayat is a 5th class municipality in the province of Batanes, Philippines. 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, located only over 200 kilometers from the southernmost tip of Taiwan.

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 barangays.

• 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 is by plane. There is a commercial carrier that service flights to Itbayat from Basco, the capital of Batanes:

• SkyPasada

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

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 1995 Philippine Census Information
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• 2007 Philippine Census Information