Philippine Parks and Protected Areas: Batanes Protected Landscape and Seascape

Profile of Batanes PLS

Location	whole province of Batanes
Area/ Year Established as Protected Area	213,578 hectares (land area) /1994
Special Features	The Province of Batanes([bɐˈtanes]) is the northernmost and the smallest province of the Philippine Republic, both in terms of population (18,000) and land area. The provincial capital is Basco. The province is composed of ten islands, called the Batanes Islands, located about 162 km north of the Luzon mainland in the Luzon Strait and is part of the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Of this island group, the largest and only inhabited islands are Itbayat, Batan and Sabtang. The Batanes Islands are separated from the Babuyan Islands of Cagayan Province by the Balintang Channel and from Taiwan by the Bashi Channel. The Batanes are about 190 kilometers south of Taiwan The northernmost island of the province, as well as of the Philippines, is Mavudis (Yami) Island. The other islands are Misanga, Siayan, Itbayat, Dinem, Batan, Sabtang, Ivuhos, and Dequey. Only the four largest islands (Batan, Ivuhos, Itbayat and Sabtang) are inhabited. (Source:From Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batanes) It is one of the last remaining areas in the Philippines having unique natural physiographic features (wave-cut cliffs, cave-like outcrops, secluded white sand beaches) resulting from its position where strong winds and fast currents have etched out its distinct morphology. It is an important flyaway for many migratory bird species, and the deeper portions of the marine environment are the few remaining sites where pink and red corals (Corallum sp.) are found. The site is the only area in the Philippines where traditional architecture is of stone in response to the wind and monsoon stresses rather than of the more typical, tropical, impermanent materials (wood, bamboo, thatch) commonly used in village architecture. Due to its isolation from the rest of the country, the traditional culture of the area has likewise remained intact. (Source: http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/521/). It is currently on the tentative list of World Heritage of UNESCO.
Park Facilities	Airport, seaports, roads, private hotels/lodge
Allowed Activities	Island hopping, cave exploration, sightseeing, trekking, mountain climbing, rock climbing, bird watching, swimming, hiking, picnic, camping, biking, fishing, boating
Fees(subject to change without prior notice)	Environmental fee: P100/person
Climate	Batanes experiences 4 seasons like temperate countries – summer (June-August), fall (September-November), winter (December-February) and spring (March-May). During the winter, temperatures can reach as low as 7 degrees Celsius. During springtime, the temperature can go as low as 17 degrees Celsius. It rains any time of the year. Flights can be cancelled due to rains or inclement weather. The average annual rainfall is 2500mm.
Best time to visit	April-June; December-February
Places to see	§ Batan Island: Mt. Iraya, Mt. Matarem, Di-atay beach cove, Radar Tukon, Songsong ruins, House of Dakay, Mahatao view deck, Mahatao white beaches, Kanyuyan Beach & Port, Mananoy Bay fishermen’s village at Racujaide, Radiwan Point, lighthouses, Honesty Coffee Shop § Itvayat Island: Prehistoric burial caves § Sabtang Island: Nakabuang Cave § Mavudis Island: coconut crab
Places to stay	● Brandon's Lodging - 11 tastefully decorated rooms each with TV, aircon and toilet & bath. Contact: Madeleine Siazon at +63 919 366 2158 for reservations. ● Batanes Resort - P550 /day and up. Tel. # 9229621 local 327 (Ivatan Center, Q.C.) ● Batanes Seaside Lodge P450 /day and up Tel. # 0981-993613 ● Ivatan Lodge - P100/1 pax, P400/ 1 or more pax/day. Email: ivatanlodge@ yahoo.com ● Shanedel's Inn - P200 /day 0920-4470737 ● Troy Lodge - near airport Tel. # 0920-4470726 Source: http://www.philsite.net/batanes.htm