Sabtang, Batanes
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Sabtang
Municipality
Island seascape
Seal
Location within Batanes province
Sabtang
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates:
2020N 12152ECoordinates:
Country
Philippines
Province
Batanes
District
Lone District
Barangays
6 (see Barangays)
2020N 12152E
Government[1]
Type
Sangguniang Bayan
Mayor
Maxilindo E. A. Babalo
Area[2]
Total
40.7 km2 (15.7 sq mi)
Population (2015 census)[3]
Total
1,621
Density
40/km2 (100/sq mi)
Voter(2016)[4]
1,235
Demonym(s)
Sabteo
Time zone
PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code
3904
IDD:area code
+63(0)78
Income class
6th class
PSGC
020905000
Website
[Link]
Sabtang, officially the Municipality of Sabtang (Filipino: Bayan ng Sabtang), is a municipality in
the province of Batanes in the Cagayan Valley (Region II) of the Philippines. The population was
1,621 at the 2015 census.[3] In the 2016 election, it had 1,235 registered voters.[4]
The southernmost island municipality of the Batanes island group, Sabtang comprises
primarily Sabtang Island, as well as two nearby smaller and uninhabited
islands: Ivuhos and Dequey. The municipality is known for its lighthouse and the old stone houses of
the Ivatan villages of Chavayan and Savidug. Like Batan Island to the north, Sabtang also has a few
Mission-style churches and white sand beaches.
Contents
[hide]
1History
2Geography
o
2.1Barangays
3Demographics
4Gallery
5References
6External links
History[edit]
The Spanish missionary Fr. Artiquez first visited the Island of Sabtang in 1786[5] after receiving an
affirmative response from the island to learn about the Christian faith. The success of the first visit
led to two more evangelical trips resulting in the baptism of 181 children and the study of the
catechism among the adult natives. The evangelization of Sabtang was cut short due to the failing
health of the Spanish missionaries. For this, the inhabitants of Sabtang remained faithful to old
traditions especially in the administration of justice by vendetta and murder.[5]
In 1791, the then most powerful chief in Sabtang named Aman Dangat showed defiance of the
government of Governor Joaquin del Castillo by killing the Spanish soldiers who went to Sabtang to
procure supplies. Lieutenant Tomas Nuez led the troops to capture the rebels. Aman Dangat was
put to trial and admitted to the crime. He later on asked to be baptized. The inhabitants of Sabtang
were then forced to resettle in San Vicente and San Felix in Ivana to be better supervised by the
government.[5]
Some forty years after the resettlement, the Sabteos were allowed to visit their native island and
gradually these visits allowed them to build homes in their erstwhile land. The government allowed
this to happen on the condition that houses should be constructed in lowlands. [5] To sustain the
spiritual care for the Sabteos, a new mission was opened in Sabtang in 1845 under the patronage
of Saint Vincent Ferrer with Fr. Antonio Vicente as its first vicar. Fr. Antonio Vicente is credited to
have built the Sabtang Church, together with a convent, a school, and a courthouse.[5]
Geography[edit]
Sabtang is located at 2020N 12152E.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 40.7 square
kilometres (15.7 sq mi)[2]constituting 18.58% of the 219.01-square-kilometre- (84.56 sq mi) total area
of Batanes.
Barangays[edit]
Sabtang is politically subdivided into 6 barangays.[6]
PSGC
Barangay
Population
2015
020905001
Chavayan
020905002
Malakdang (Poblacion)
020905003
Nakanmuan
020905004
% p.a.
2010
[3]
[7]
9.7%
157
169
1.39%
14.4%
234
245
0.87%
8.8%
142
134
+1.11%
Savidug
12.4%
201
190
+1.08%
020905005
Sinakan (Poblacion)
31.4%
509
552
1.53%
020905006
Sumnanga
23.3%
378
347
+1.64%
1,621
1,637
0.19%
TOTAL
Demographics[edit]
Population census of Sabtang
Year
Pop.
1990
1995
2000
1,737
1,434
1,678
% p.a.
Year
Pop.
% p.a.
2007
3.53% 2010
+3.43% 2015
1,465
1,637
1,621
1.85%
+4.12%
0.19%
Source: PSA[3][7][8]
In the 2015 census, Sabtang had a population of 1,621.[3] The population density was 40 inhabitants
per square kilometre (100/sq mi).
In the 2016 election, it had 1,235 registered voters.[4]
Gallery[edit]
The Idjang castle in Savidug
Beach in Sabtang
San Vicente Ferrer Church
