Sabtang

History

The Spanish missionary, Father Artiquez, first visited the island of Sabtang in 1786 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 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.

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 on trial and allegedly admitted to the crime. While a religious Spanish recorder later claimed that Aman Dangat asked to be baptized, there is no evidence to substantiate this assertion. 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.

Some forty years after the resettlement, the Sabteños were allowed to visit their native island. 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 the lowlands. 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 Father Antonio Vicente as its first vicar. Father Vicente is credited to have built the Sabtang Church, together with a convent, a school, and a courthouse.

Geography

Sabtang is located at .

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 40.70 km2 constituting of the 219.01 km2 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

| access-date = 5 January 2019 }}

Demographics

In the 2024 census, Sabtang had a population of 1,774. The population density was {{sigfig|1,774/40.70|2}} PD/km2.

Economy

Government

Local government

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

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. The Sabtang Schools District Office governs the public and private elementary and high schools throughout the municipality.

Primary and elementary schools

• Chavayan Elementary School
• Nakanmuan Elementary School
• Sabtang Central School
• Savidug Elementary School
• Sumnanga Elementary School

Secondary school

• Sabtang National School of Fisheries

Gallery

File:Chavayan, Sabtang Island in Batanes, Philippines.jpg|Chavayan in Sabtang Island File:San Vicente Ferrer Church (Sabtang Batanes).jpg|San Vicente Ferrer Church File:Savidug Stone Houses.jpg|An Ivatan woman wearing a vakul inside a stone house File:Nakabuang Arch in Morong Beach in Sabtang Island Batanes.jpg|Nakabuang Arch in Morong Beach

Notes

References

References

1. {{DILG detail
2. González Alonzo, Fr. Julio, O.P. (1966). "The Batanes Islands", in Acta Manilana, Manila: University of Santo Tomas Research Center
3. "SABTANG - BATANES {{!}} Election Results 2025: Vote Count Updates & Tallies {{!}} Eleksyon 2025 {{!}} GMA News Online". [[GMA News Online]].
4. "DEPED REGIONAL OFFICE NO. 02".
5. (January 15, 2025). "Masterlist of Schools".