Sabtang Explained

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Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Philippines
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Type2:Province
Other Name:San Vicente de Sabtan
Subdivision Type3:District
Established Title:Founded
Parts Type:Barangays
Parts Style:para
P1: (see Barangays)
Leader Name:Prescila A. Babalo
Leader Title1:Vice Mayor
Leader Name1:Clemente C. Ladreza Jr.
Leader Name2:Ciriaco A. Gato Jr.
Leader Title3:Municipal Council
Leader Name4: voters (electorate_point_in_time}}|)
Elevation Max M:980
Elevation Min M:0
Population Density Km2:auto
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Timezone:PST
Utc Offset:+8
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Demographics Type1:Economy
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Demographics2 Title1:Electricity
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Sabtang, officially the Municipality of Sabtang (Kavahayan nu Sabtang; Ilocano: Ili ti Sabtang; Tagalog: Bayan ng Sabtang), is a 6th class municipality in the province of Batanes, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 1,696 people.

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.

History

The Spanish missionary Fr. Artiquez first visited the Island of Sabtang in 1786[1] after receiving an affirmative response from the islanders 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.[1]

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 Nuñez led the troops to capture the rebels. Aman Dangat was put to trial and allegedly admitted to the crime. A religious Spanish recorder later claimed that Aman Dangat asked to be baptized. There is no evidence of this outside of the claim. The inhabitants of Sabtang were then forced to resettle in San Vicente and San Felix in Ivana to be better controlled by the Spanish colonizers.[1]

Some forty years after the resettlement, the Sabteños 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.[1] To sustain the spiritual care for the Sabteños, 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. Vicente is credited to have built the Sabtang Church, together with a convent, a school, and a courthouse.[1]

Geography

Sabtang is located at .

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of constituting of the 219.01adj=mid2adj=mid total area of Batanes.

Barangays

Sabtang is politically subdivided into 6 barangays. These barangays are headed by elected officials: Barangay Captain, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors. All are elected every three years.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2020 census, Sabtang had a population of 1,696. The population density was NaN1,696/40.70.

Government

Local government

See main article: Sangguniang Bayan. Sabtang, 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
(2022–2025)[2]
PositionName
CongressmanCiriaco B. Gato Jr.
MayorBabalo, Prescila
Vice-MayorLadreza, Clemente Memen
Councilors Alavado, Roda
Neyala, Tita
Figura, Jerold
Calvez, John Kelvin
Alavado, Jepoy
Gabilo, Romy
Canela, Ernie
Calvez, Harold

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

External links

Notes and References

  1. González Alonzo, Fr. Julio, O.P. (1966). "The Batanes Islands", in Acta Manilana, Manila: University of Santo Tomas Research Center
  2. Web site: 2029 National and Local Elections . March 6, 2022 . Commission on Elections.
  3. Web site: DEPED REGIONAL OFFICE NO. 02 . DepED RO2 The official website of DepED Regional Office No. 02.