AIR

IMPORTANT

• The fastest way to get to Batanes from Manila is by plane. During peak months (April to June), make sure you have booked your flights months ahead. The chance of getting a confirmed seat on a short notice on these months is very slim.
• One can also fly from Manila to Tuguegarao via Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific. From there, board an eight-seater Islander aircraft of Chemtrad Aviation or Batanes Airlines which operate chartered flights from Tuguegarao.
• Both Chemtrad and Batanes Air fly only when they have enough passenger or cargo load to and from Tuguegarao. It is best to call them first. Not enough passengers or cargo means being stranded for a day or two.
• Inter-island flights between Basco and Itbayat have been temporarily suspended pending completion of ongoing repair works at Itbayat airport.

AIRLINES

ZestAir
Merina Bldg., Abad St., Kayhuvukan, Basco, Batanes
Ms. Anastacia B. Viola
0926.6550708
asianspirit_batanes@yahoo.com
[ More Information ]

Southeast Asia Airlines (SEAir)
Basco Airport
Mr. Leomar Apolinar
[ More Information ]

Chemtrad Aviation
Basco Airport
Ms. Fem Hubalde
0920.5145274
[ More Information ]

Batanes Airlines
Basco Airport
Ms. Rowena Cantor
0908.5681816
(078)658.0913
[ More Information ]

LAND

A. Jeepney

IMPORTANT

• There are at least 10 passenger jeeps currently serving Batan Island.
  
• Travel schedules are pre-set. First trip leaves Basco at 5am. Last trip is at 915pm.
  
• Before leaving Basco, a jeepney normally would circle the town twice through Castillejos and Abad Streets to pick up passengers. There's no definite terminal for jeepneys in Basco.

OPERATORS

Mr. Felipe Amboy
Mr. Diego Ordas
Mr. George Peralta
Mr. Ely Gabilo
Mr. Robin Davocol
Mr. Orlando Hostallero
Ms. Lucia Ybay
Mr. Sever Rasco
Mr. Ramon Delos Santos

RATES ( as of March 2009)

Regular fare:

• Basco-Mahatao: PHP 13.00 (6km)
  
• Basco-Ivana: PHP 25.00 (14km)
  
• Basco-Uyugan: PHP 35.00 (18km)
  
• Basco-Itbud: PHP 42.00 (23km)
  
• Basco-Imnajbu PHP 45.00 (26km)

Hiring Rate:

PHP 1,800.00/day

B. Tricycle

IMPORTANT

The tricycles do not drive around Basco town looking for passengers. Commuters who need their services have to go to their station (currently along Lizardo Street, Barangay Kayhuvukan in Basco) or call their numbers to give your location. 24-hour service.

CONTACT

Mr. Francisco Castillo
Current President
Basco Tricycle Owners and Drivers Association (BATODA)
0906.6970679
0929.7038404

RATES (as of March 2009)

Within Basco proper: P 25.00

Basco proper to:

• Naydi lighthouse: PHP 30.00
  
• Valugan: PHP 40.00
  
• Chanarian proper: PHP 40.00
  
• Batanes Resort: PHP 50.00
  
• Radar Tukon: PHP 60.00
  
• Fundacion Pacita: PHP 90.00
  
• Chanarian-Tukon: PHP 50.00
  
• Valugan-Radar Tukon: PHP 90.00

Basco-Mahatao(6 kms): PHP 80.00

Basco-Ivana(14 kms): PHP 180.00

Basco-Uyugan(18 kms): PHP 250.00

Basco-Itbud(23 kms)

SEA

A. Manila to Basco

IMPORTANT

A cargo ship (M/V Savers), owned by the Batanes Multi-Purpose Cooperative Inc. (BMPCI), regularly travel the Manila- Basco route directly bringing in most of the supplies. Two groups of local businessmen separately own and operate two other vessels (M/V Traders and M/V Transcend) that service the same route. All vessels are configured as cargo ships. They are not ideal for passenger travel.

VESSELS / OPERATORS

M/V Savers
BMPCI / Mr. Tony Castro
0917.8824223
0917.8824216 (Manager)

M/V Traders
Mr. Jimmy Gabotero
0917.8043173

M/V Transcend
Mr. George D. Peralta
0906.3353293/0907.2679076 (Basco)
0906.8187861/0919.6234431 (Manila)

B. Basco to Itbayat

IMPORTANT

• Depending on sea condition, travel time is around three to four hours. Maximum capacity: 50 passengers.
• Be ready to sit beside boxes and boxes of grocery items, canned goods, furniture, construction materials.
• Make sure you waterproof your valuables: camera, wallet, mobile phones, medicines, documents.
• Bring your own medicine, packed food and drink during the trip.
• Expect swells as high as two to three-storey buildings.
• WARNING: Getting off the boat is tricky. It's a test of leg-eye coordination. Since the makeshift port is elevated, make sure you jump to the platform as the waves bring the boat at the same height as the port.
• M/B Itransa and M/B Ocean Spirit both are scheduled trips. All vessels can only make one round-trip daily. Operators of both vessels have pre-arranged land transportation to the main town for its passengers. Fare: 15 pesos/passenger. Nearest town center is around 30 minutes away.
• M/B Viking is usually only for hire.
• No trip on Sundays. It's a local belief.

VESSELS / OPERATORS

M/B Itransa
(Basco)
Mr. Delfin Gonzales 0920.8493946
Joseph Elesterio 0929.9588800
Ruben Noblejas 0919.7871818
(Itbayat)
Roger Ibanes 0928.3482389
Alvar Labrador 0928.6899918

M/B Ocean Spirit
Mr. Ignacio Villa 0917.8018574, 0908.5013119
Crispina Galolo 0919.6824103

M/B Viking
Mr. Magno Bata
0919.6217283

RATES

Fare: PHP 450.00/trip
20% discount to students and senior citizens

Cargo: PHP 30.00/kg.

Note: P450 regular fare with 20% discount to students and senior citizens

Schedule of Trips: once a day depend on availability of passenger and cargo and on weather condition

C. San Vicente, Ivana to Sabtang

IMPORTANT

• All motor bancas normally anchor at Sabtang Port.
• First trip to mainland (via San Vicente Port in Ivana) leaves Sabtang Port between 0600H-0630H.
• Travel time is around 40 minutes.
• If there are Sabtang-bound passengers waiting at San Vicente Port, the vessel returns to Sabtang after around 30 minutes. Estimated arrival time at Sabtang is between 0800H-0830H.
• Otherwise, the vessel stays in San Vicente Port to wait for passengers/cargo and leaves for Sabtang at 1300H.
• Payment done upon arrival at destination.
• For Sabtang visitors: Please register at the Municipal Tourism Office located at the Heritage Center around 50 meters as you exit left from the port area. Fee is 100 per visitor.
• Best to be seated on top of the makeshift cover for a seamless view of the South China sea meeting with the Pacific Ocean.
• Make sure you waterproof your valuables: camera, wallet, mobile phones, medicines, documents.
• If you're lucky during summer, you can see dolphins escorting you during the trip.
• In Sabtang, passengers get off from the boat right there on the beach unlike in Ivana where passengers disembark on a dry platform.

VESSELS / OPERATORS

M/B Navigator of the Sea
Mr. Migdonio Faberes

M/B Sarwap
Mr. Roberto Cabas

M/B Fantasy
Mr. Felix Cielo

M/B Santa Ines
Mr. Valentin Calma 0921.5520082

M/B San Jose
Mr. Emilio Fidel

M/B San Luis II (Cargo Only)
Mr. Mariano Banzuela 0921.6731608

M/B Divine Grace
Mr. Virgilio Alavado

RATES

Fare range:
PHP 40.00-50.00

Hiring rate (one way only):
PHP 1,500.00

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