Basco, Batanes

Basco
Municipality
Municipality of Basco
From the top, left to right: Vayang Rolling Hills, Mount Iraya, Basco Cathedral, Basco Lighthouse, Valugan Beach, and Basco Airport
Flag Seal
Map of Batanes with Basco highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Basco Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 20°27′N121°58′E / 20.45°N 121.97°E / 20.45; 121.97
Country	Philippines
Region	Cagayan Valley
Province	Batanes
District	Lone district
Named for	José Basco y Vargas
Barangays	6 (see Barangays)
Government   [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
•  Mayor	German A. Caccam
•  Vice Mayor	Arlyne C. Velayo
•  Representative	Ciriaco B. Gato Jr.
•  Municipal Council	Members Franklin Z. Redondo Jacklord N. Labrador Carla A. Cordel Will Lee H. Gabotero Benny D. Fajardo Francisco C. Castillo Joseph A. Guisando Aren Joseph C. Veracruz
•  Electorate	6,344 voters (2022)
Area [2]
• Total	49.46 km2 (19.10 sq mi)
Elevation [3]	23.4 m (76.8 ft)
Highest elevation	1,013 m (3,323 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census) [4]
• Total	9,517
• Density	190/km2 (500/sq mi)
•  Households	2,823
Economy
•  Income class	5th municipal income class
•  Poverty incidence	4.36 % (2021) [5]
•  Revenue	₱ 84.05 million (2020)
•  Assets	₱ 228.8 million (2020)
•  Expenditure	₱ 81.96 million (2020)
•  Liabilities	₱ 51.41 million (2020)
Service provider
•  Electricity	Batanes Electric Cooperative (BATANELCO)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	3900
PSGC	020901000
IDD  :  area code	+63 (0)78
Native languages	Ivatan Tagalog Ilocano

Basco, officially the Municipality of Basco (Ivatan : Kavahayan nu Basco; Ilocano: Ili ti Basco; Tagalog : Bayan ng Basco), is a municipality and capital of the province of Batanes, Philippines. In the 2020 census, it had a population of 9,517 people. ^[4]

Basco is the most populous town in Batanes and it is located on Batan Island, the second largest among the Batanes Islands, the northernmost islands of the Philippines. The town has a domestic airport, Basco Airport, serving flights from Manila, Tuguegarao, and Itbayat.^{[ citation needed ]}

The Basco Lighthouse is one of the landmarks.

Etymology

The town is named after Capitán General José Basco, who led the pacification and conquest of the islands during his term as governor-general.

Geography

The municipality has a land area of 49.46 square kilometres (19.10 sq mi)  ^[6] constituting 22.58% of the 219.01-square-kilometre- (84.56 sq mi) total area of Batanes.

Barangays

Basco is politically subdivided into 6 barangays. ^[7] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

PSGC	Barangay	Population			±% p.a.
		2020 [4]		2010 [8]
020901005	Chanarian	3.8%	360	334	▴	0.75%
020901001	Ihubok II (Kayvaluganan)	24.6%	2,344	2,103	▴	1.09%
020901002	Ihubok I (Kaychanarianan)	19.1%	1,822	1,665	▴	0.91%
020901006	Kayhuvokan	17.9%	1,700	1,641	▴	0.35%
020901003	San Antonio	20.7%	1,969	1,772	▴	1.06%
020901004	San Joaquin	4.0%	384	392	▾	−0.21%
	Total		9,517	7,907	▴	1.87%

The sitio of Diptan was converted into a barrio, known as San Antonio, in 1955. ^[9] Also in the same year, the sitios of Coral, Hago, Tuva, Diojango, Canalaan, Honaan and Dimnalamay were converted into the barrio of San Joaquin. ^[10]

Climate

Basco has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification Am). Compared to cities down south such as Laoag or Manila, it has a slightly cooler temperatures especially during the winter months due to its northerly location. Unlike these two cities whose hottest months are April and May, Basco has its warmest temperature during the months of June and July, similar to Taiwan.

Climate data for Basco, Philippines (2001–2020, extremes 1903–2020)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	31.8 (89.2)	32.6 (90.7)	34.8 (94.6)	35.5 (95.9)	36.4 (97.5)	36.5 (97.7)	37.6 (99.7)	37.2 (99.0)	36.1 (97.0)	35.9 (96.6)	32.9 (91.2)	32.8 (91.0)	37.6 (99.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	24.1 (75.4)	24.8 (76.6)	26.0 (78.8)	28.1 (82.6)	29.8 (85.6)	30.4 (86.7)	30.4 (86.7)	30.0 (86.0)	29.5 (85.1)	28.3 (82.9)	26.9 (80.4)	24.7 (76.5)	27.7 (81.9)
Daily mean °C (°F)	21.3 (70.3)	21.9 (71.4)	23.0 (73.4)	25.1 (77.2)	26.8 (80.2)	27.5 (81.5)	27.5 (81.5)	27.2 (81.0)	26.7 (80.1)	25.5 (77.9)	24.2 (75.6)	21.9 (71.4)	24.9 (76.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	18.5 (65.3)	19.1 (66.4)	20.0 (68.0)	22.1 (71.8)	23.8 (74.8)	24.7 (76.5)	24.6 (76.3)	24.4 (75.9)	23.8 (74.8)	22.6 (72.7)	21.4 (70.5)	19.1 (66.4)	22.0 (71.6)
Record low °C (°F)	11.4 (52.5)	11.6 (52.9)	12.6 (54.7)	15.5 (59.9)	17.2 (63.0)	19.0 (66.2)	13.4 (56.1)	15.0 (59.0)	16.0 (60.8)	16.0 (60.8)	14.0 (57.2)	11.5 (52.7)	11.4 (52.5)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	146.0 (5.75)	91.1 (3.59)	55.1 (2.17)	56.4 (2.22)	215.0 (8.46)	183.4 (7.22)	230.5 (9.07)	321.1 (12.64)	343.3 (13.52)	260.7 (10.26)	268.6 (10.57)	158.0 (6.22)	2,329.2 (91.70)
Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm)	15	9	7	5	11	12	13	16	17	14	16	15	150
Average relative humidity (%)	80	82	82	84	85	85	85	86	86	83	84	82	84
Source: PAGASA [11] [12]

Demographics

Population census of Basco

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1903 2,347 —     1918 2,338 −0.03% 1939 2,782 +0.83% 1948 3,312 +1.96% 1960 2,868 −1.19% 1970 3,757 +2.73% 1975 3,984 +1.18% 1980 4,341 +1.73%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1990 5,729 +2.81% 1995 5,772 +0.14% 2000 6,717 +3.30% 2007 7,517 +1.56% 2010 7,907 +1.86% 2015 8,579 +1.57% 2020 9,517 +2.06%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [13] [8] [14] [15]

In the 2020 census, Basco had a population of 9,517. ^[4] The population density was 190 inhabitants per square kilometre (490/sq mi).

Economy

Poverty incidence of Basco

5 10 15 20 2006 4.10 2009 5.14 2012 16.87 2015 14.40 2018 7.01 2021 4.36 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23]

Government

Local government

Main article: Sangguniang Bayan

Basco, belonging to the lone congressional district of the province of Batanes, 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 which is being held every three years.

Elected officials

Members of the Municipal Council
(2022–2 52 5 –2022) ^[24]

Position	Name
Congressman	Ciriaco B. Gato Jr.
Mayor	German A. Caccam
Vice-Mayor	Arlyne C. Velayo
Councilors	Franklin Z. Redondo
	Jacklord N. Labrador
	Carla A. Cordel
	Will Lee H. Gabotero
	Benny D. Fajardo
	Francisco C. Castillo
	Joseph A. Guisando
	Aren Joseph C. Veracruz

Transportation

Basco is accessible by air from Manila via Basco Airport. It is served by PAL Express at present. The other airlines previously operating at Basco Airport have stopped their operations after the COVID 19 pandemic, except for SkyPasada via Tuguegarao Airport in Cagayan. These airlines are the only two airlines available for air travel as of 2024. Planes from Basco Airport are bound to only three places: (1) to Manila, served by PAL Express; (2) to Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, served by SkyPasada; and (3) to Itbayat Island, an island municipality of Batanes Province.

Telecommunication

Mobile and internet services are primarily provided by telecom companies such as Smart Communications and Globe Telecom.

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. ^[25] The office governs the public and private elementary and public and private high schools throughout the municipality.

Schools

• Basco Central School
• Batanes National Science High School
• Batanes State College
• Chanarian Elementary School
• Diptan Elementary School
• Saint Dominic College
• Tukon Elementary School
• Valugan Integrated School

Media

AM

• 1134 kHz DWBT Radyo Pilipinas Batanes ^[26]

FM

• 95.7 MHz DZYV Radio Yvatan
• 97.5 MHz DZNB Radyo Kayvayvanan Community Radio ^[27]
• 103.7 MHz DWWF Radyo Natin Basco

TV

• Channel 7 DWAZ-TV GMA Network Batanes

References

1.   Municipality of Basco | (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. https://www.philatlas.com/luzon/r02/batanes/basco.html.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
4. Census of Population (2020). "Region II (Cagayan Valley)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved July 8, 2021.
5. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
6. "Province: Batanes". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved November 12, 2016.
7. "Municipal: Basco, Batanes". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved January 8, 2016.
8. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region II (Cagayan Valley)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office . Retrieved June 29, 2016.
9. "Republic Act No. 1332; An Act to Convert the Sitio of Diptan in the Municipality of Basco, Province of Batanes, into a Barrio to Be Known As the Barrio of San Antonio De Padua of Said Municipality". LawPH.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2012.
10. "Republic Act No. 1334; An Act to Convert the Sitios of Coral, Hago, Tuva, Diojango, Canalaan, Honaan and Dimnalamay, into a Barrio to Be Known As the Barrio of San Joaquin, in the Municipality of Basco, Province of Batanes". LawPH.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
11. "Basco, Batanes Climatological Normal Values 1991–2020" (PDF). Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 1, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
12. "Basco, Batanes Climatological Extremes" (PDF). Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 7, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
13. Census of Population (2015). "Region II (Cagayan Valley)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved June 20, 2016.
14. 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.
15. "Province of Batanes". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
16. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
17. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
18. "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
19. "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
20. "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
21. "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
22. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
23. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
24. "2019 National and Local Elections" (PDF). Commission on Elections. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
25. "DEPED REGIONAL OFFICE NO. 02". DepED RO2 | The official website of DepED Regional Office No. 02. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
26. "Radyo Pilipinas Batanes". Facebook.com. Archived from the original on August 14, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
27. "Radyo Kayvayvanan | DZNB-FM 97.5 MHz | Basco, Batanes". National Nutrition Council of the Philippines. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2024.

External links

Media related to Basco, Batanes at Wikimedia Commons

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code