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Banton, Romblon

Banton, officially the Municipality of Banton (Bantoanon: Banwa it Banton, Filipino: Bayan ng Banton, formerly known as Jones), is a 5th class municipality in the province of Romblon, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 5,737 people.[4]

Banton
Jones
Municipality of Banton
(From top, left to right) Banton Island, Fort San Jose, the 16th century St. Nicholas de Tolentino Parish Church, Macat-ang Beach in Barangay Mainit, a pre-colonial artifacts found in Banton's Guyangan Cave System, Banton Civic Center, and Banton's poblacion viewed from Manamyaw Cliff.
Map of Romblon with Banton highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Banton
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 12°56′46″N 122°05′46″E / 12.946°N 122.096°E / 12.946; 122.096
CountryPhilippines
RegionMimaropa
ProvinceRomblon
District Lone district
Founded1622[1]
Barangays17 (see Barangays)
Government
[2]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorMilagros F. Faderanga
 • Vice MayorLoijorge F. Fegalan
 • RepresentativeEleandro Jesus F. Madrona
 • Councilors
  • Allan Fabula
  • Carmi Faderanga
  • Monie Faderanga
  • Bert Fadrilan
  • Renato Faz
  • Joemel Ferrancol
  • Onad Ferrolino
  • Bemboy Fonte
 • Electorate3,963 voters (2022)
Area
 • Total32.48 km2 (12.54 sq mi)
Elevation
13 m (43 ft)
Highest elevation
(Mount Ampongo)
607 m (1,991 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[4]
 • Total5,737
 • Density180/km2 (460/sq mi)
 • Households
1,495
DemonymBantoanon[5]
Economy
 • Income class5th municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
16.71
% (2018)[6]
 • Revenue₱ 55.8 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 197.2 million (2020)
 • Expenditure₱ 57.92 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 27.75 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityRomblon Electric Cooperative (ROMELCO)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
5515
PSGC
1705902000
IDD:area code+63 (0)42
Native languagesBantoanon
Tagalog
Patron saintSan Nicolas de Tolentino

Its territory encompasses the entire Banton Island and a few uninhabited smaller islands. The island is located on the northern portion of the province and lies on the northern portion of the Sibuyan Sea near the southern tip of Marinduque. It is a town of about 5,000 people majority of which speak the Bantoanon language (also known as Asi), one of the five primary branches of the Bisayan languages.

Banton is thought to be already inhabited by Filipinos since the pre-colonial period, based on analysis of human remains, coffins, an ancient burial cloth and other archaeological finds discovered at the Guyangan Cave System by the National Museum in 1936. The present settlement was founded in 1622 by the Spanish and is the oldest settlement in the province. During the American colonial period, the municipality changed its name to Jones in honor of American congressman William Jones, who authored the Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916. Today, Banton is one of Romblon's thriving municipalities, with an economy dependent on copra farming, fishing, raffia palm weaving, and tourism. The island is collectively known as a cultural landscape due to its historical, cultural and archaeological value to humanity.

Etymology edit

The name "Banton" was derived from the Asi word batoon, meaning "rocky", referring to the mountainous and rocky topography of the island due to its volcanic origin.[5] Another possible origin is the word bantoy, which is the Asi word for the venomous stonefish.[1]

History edit

 
The Banton Cloth, the oldest existing example of warp ikat in Southeast Asia, displayed at the National Museum of the Philippines.
 
Ipot Cave, where the earliest known warp ikat textile in Southeast Asia was found in 1936
 
Fuerza de San José, Banton's Spanish colonial era fort

Early history edit

Banton was already inhabited during pre-colonial times as proven by ancient artefacts such as wooden coffins and skeletal remains found in the island's Guyangan Cave System in 1936 by a team of researchers from the National Museum of the Philippines. Among the artefacts was the Banton Cloth, a piece of a traditional burial cloth found in one of the wooden coffins. It is estimated to be 400 years old, making it the earliest known warp ikat (tie-resist dyeing) textile in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.[7][8][9] These artifacts are now preserved at the National Museum of Anthropology in Manila.[7]

The municipality of Banton was established by Spanish colonial authorities in 1622, the first town established in Romblon, which was then part of Capiz province. It was initially founded in a site in Bacoco Hill (now part of Barangay Hambian), south-west of its present site. The administration of the other islands of Romblon were put under the jurisdiction of Banton until 1631, when Pueblo de Romblon was founded.[1] In 1640, due to frequent raids by Moros, who looted and pillaged the settlement, the limestone fort called Fuerza de San Jose and the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church was constructed under the leadership of Father Agustin de San Pedro, also known as El Padre Capitan, who was the parish priest of Banton at that time. The construction was completed in 1644, and in 1648, San Nicolas de Tolentino was installed as the town's patron saint. The fort effectively protected the town against further Moro raids. Banton ceased being part of Capiz when the Spanish colonial government created the politico-military province of Romblon on 11 January 1868.[1]

20th century edit

When civilian government was introduced in Romblon by the Americans on 16 March 1901, Banton was one of the 11 new municipalities reinstated or created. In 1918, the municipality was renamed Jones in honor of American congressman William Jones, who authored the Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916 that provided for greater autonomy for the Philippines under American colonial rule.[10] On 8 June 1940, with the passage of Commonwealth Act No. 581, all of Romblon's municipalities were dissolved and Jones, together with Corcuera and Concepcion, were consolidated into a special municipality called Maghali, one of four special municipalities that the law created (the rest being Romblon, Tablas and Sibuyan).[11] The reorganization proved to be difficult for the province's local leaders, and after World War II, Republic Act No. 38 repealed Commonwealth Act No. 581, restoring Jones to its pre-war status.[11] On 24 April 1959, Republic Act No. 2158 restored the island to its former name, Banton.[12]

21st century edit

In 2013, Banton was one of the sites of a detailed resource assessment by the Department of Energy (DOE), along with Maricaban Island in Batangas and Balut Island in Saranggani. The study aimed to determine whether the island can be a site for low enthalpy geothermal power generation. However, no exploitable geothermal resource has been delineated on the island.[13][14][15] On 19 March 2013, the National Museum of the Philippines declared the island's Guyangan Cave System, where precolonial wooden coffins, remains, and the Banton Cloth were found, as an Important Cultural Property.[16][17][18]

The island municipality was greatly devastated by Typhoon Melor on 15 December 2015,[19] which made its fourth landfall over the island, and by Typhoon Kammuri on 3 December 2019, which made its second landfall over the island.[20][21] The typhoon destroyed or damaged 912 houses in the island municipality, while 42 percent of agricultural lands were damaged. The estimated cost of damage to infrastructure in the town was ₱39 million.[22]

In 2020, the population of the Philippine long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis philippensis) in the island was found to have increased over previously documented levels, with the monkeys destroying crops and raiding homes. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources sent a team to the island, which confirmed the population increase. To control its population, the team suggested that the macaques be exported to monkey farms in Luzon for use in scientific research on diseases such as Ebola. Nedim Buyukmihci, a professor emeritus of veterinary medicine at the University of California-Davis has expressed opposition to the plan.[23][24]

On 21 October 2020, several fishing boats in the villages of Mainit and Yabawon on the western side of the island municipality were destroyed by huge waves caused by Typhoon Saudel, which passed over the central portion of Luzon Island in the north of the Philippines.[25] A few days later, on 25 October, the island municipality was devastated by Typhoon Molave, which made landfall over Torrijos, Marinduque, just north of the island. PAGASA raised typhoon Signal No. 3 over the island, along with the rest of northern Romblon, as the typhoon passed over the province with winds of up to 130 kph. The typhoon caused a landslide along the Togbongan-Nabalay Road on the north of the island and also destroyed several homes and agricultural lands.[26]

In 2021 and 2022, the island municipality marked two important milestones: On 15 March 2021, Banton marked a year of being COVID-19 free since the community quarantine in the Philippines began. It joined 23 other municipalities in the distinguished status.[27][28] In August 2022, the town celebrated its 400th founding anniversary with a host of religious and festive social activities, including a ceremonial release of balloons.[29]

On 16 July 2023, MV Maria Helena, a ROPAX ferry owned and operated by Montenegro Shipping Lines intentionally beached in Barangay Nasunogan after it titled in the Sibuyan Sea while en route to San Agustin from Lucena. The incident was caused by a tire blowout in one of the vehicles being carried by the ferry amid rough seas, causing the vehicle the tilt and its lashing to snap, and resulting in vehicle pileup on the port side of the vessel. All 120 passengers and crew were rescued. The vessel has since been righted, its cargo transferred to another vessel, and has sailed back to Lucena for repairs.[30][31]

Geography edit

Banton lies on the northern portion of the Sibuyan Sea and is equidistant between Marinduque Island to the north and Tablas Island to the south. It is composed of the main island of Banton and the uninhabited islands of Bantoncillo, Carlota and Isabel, the last two of which are collectively known as the Dos Hermanas Islands. There is also Polloc Islet near Tabonan Beach just off the northwest portion of the island and part of Barangay Yabawon.[1]

Banton has a total land area of 3,248 hectares (32.48 km2).[32] Based on rock petrology, the island is a dormant volcano which lies at the southernmost portion of the Pleistocene-Quaternary West Luzon volcanic arc and may have been active during the Pliocene period.[13] Because of its volcanic origin, the island has a mountainous, rocky topography, with very few patches of flat land suitable for farming. The island's highest elevation, Mount Ampongo, rises at 596 metres (1,955 ft).[5]

Barangays edit

 
Bird's eye view of Barangay Poblacion

Banton is politically subdivided into 17 barangays.[32] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

In 1954, the sitios of Mahaba, Angomon, Solocan, Kapanranan, and Yabawon were consolidated into the barangay known as Yabawon.[33]

  • Balogo
  • Banice
  • Hambi-an
  • Lagang
  • Libtong
  • Mainit
  • Nabalay
  • Nasunogan
  • Poblacion
  • Sibay
  • Tan-Ag
  • Toctoc
  • Togbongan
  • Togong
  • Tungonan
  • Tumalum
  • Yabawon

Climate edit

Climate data for Banton, Romblon
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 28
(82)
29
(84)
29
(84)
27
(81)
32
(90)
31
(88)
29
(84)
30
(86)
31
(88)
30
(86)
29
(84)
28
(82)
29
(84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 23
(73)
24
(75)
24
(75)
23
(73)
25
(77)
25
(77)
24
(75)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
24
(75)
24
(75)
25
(77)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 102
(4.0)
27
(1.1)
30
(1.2)
129
(5.1)
120
(4.7)
237
(9.3)
189
(7.4)
186
(7.3)
126
(5.0)
231
(9.1)
162
(6.4)
90
(3.5)
1,629
(64.1)
Average rainy days 14 12 9 11 20 20 21 22 19 21 17 17 203
Source: World Weather Online[34]

As part of Romblon, Banton is classified under Type III of the Corona climatic classification system. This type of climate is described as having no prominent wet or dry seasons. The wet season, which usually occurs from June to November can extend up to December during the onset of the southwest monsoon. The dry season from January to May may sometimes have periods of rainfall or even inclement weather.

Demographics edit

Population census of Banton
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 4,043—    
1918 6,060+2.73%
1939 4,972−0.94%
1948 5,542+1.21%
1960 6,155+0.88%
1970 6,447+0.46%
1975 7,545+3.20%
1980 7,362−0.49%
1990 7,077−0.39%
1995 6,069−2.84%
2000 6,769+2.37%
2007 6,799+0.06%
2010 5,963−4.66%
2015 5,536−1.41%
2020 5,737+0.70%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[35][36][37][38]

According to the 2020 census, Banton has a population of 5,737 people.[4] The island municipality is sparsely populated with a population density of 170/km2 (441/sq mi). According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), in 2013, there were 3,694 registered voters in Banton, spread over 31 electoral precincts. Of this figure, 1,794 are male registered voters, while 1,900 are female.[39]

Language edit

 
A sign written in the Asi language that says "Huyatang Lugar" (waiting place) for motorcycle taxis.

The island's inhabitants speak the Asi language (also known as Bantoanon), one of three major languages spoken in Romblon and one of five primary branches of the Bisayan language family. The island's inhabitants were the first speakers of the language throughout the province, having spoken it since precolonial times. From Banton, the language spread to other island like Maestro de Campo, Simara, and in the towns of Calatrava, and Odiongan in Tablas Island.[1]

David Paul Zorc, a linguist from the Australian National University whose expertise is on Philippine languages, notes that Asi speakers may have been the first Bisayan speakers in the Romblon region. He also suggests that Asi may have a Cebuano substratum and that many of its words may have been influenced by the later influx of other languages such as Romblomanon.[40]

Economy edit

 
Copra farming in Banton

Banton has a primarily agricultural economy, with copra farming and fishing as the main sources of livelihood. There is also an indigenous raffia palm handicraft industry. Other crops grown in the island are root crops (such as cassava, sweet potatoes), fruits and vegetables. The locals also engage in livestock raising for local consumption, and small-scale shipbuilding of wooden boats and launches.[5]

Due to the island's rocky topography and lack of a stable supply of freshwater, rice production is difficult in the island. Rice from Mindoro, Marinduque or Quezon is supplied to the island by local traders. In recent years, the island has also become a small tourist hub for Asi expatriates and foreign tourists from the United States and other countries.[5]

Poverty Incidence of Banton

10
20
30
40
50
2006
42.40
2009
37.97
2012
30.65
2015
25.02
2018
16.71
2021
24.85

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48]

Tourism edit

Banton is an eco-tourism and heritage destination due to its beaches, diving sites, caves, churches and Spanish-era fortifications.[5]

Heritage sites edit

 
The retablo or altarpiece of Banton Church showing different Catholic saints.
 
Tambak Beach
 
Tabonan Beach

Being the oldest settlement in Romblon, Banton has several Spanish-era fortifications and churches, as well as American-era houses. These include Fuerza de San José, Banton Church, the old campanile made of limestone at Everlast in Barangay Poblacion, and a limestone watchtower at Onte in Barangay Toctoc. There is an American-era house at Pinagkaisahan in Barangay Poblacion which used to be the Ugat Faigao Museum but now serves as a sari-sari store. The Asi Studies Center for Culture and the Arts (also in Purok Everlast) serves as an information center for the Asi language and Banton history, as well as depository of Banton's archaeological and cultural artifacts. The Church of San Nicolas de Tolentino also has a small museum of pre-colonial and Spanish-era artifacts.[1][5] Among these artifacts is an intricate jar known locally as balogodibo, which three children accidentally found at Barangay Balogo in 2010.[49]

The National Museum of the Philippines also announced in 2016 the construction of a site museum near the island's Guyangan Cave System on a 1.5-hectare (3.7-acre) property donated by the Fabicon family. The site museum will serve as depository of the island's cultural treasures and will conduct research on how to best preserve the island's intangible heritage.[50]

Natural formations edit

Caves are Banton's well-known natural formations. The Guyangan Cave System, situated at the boundary of Barangay Toctoc and Togbongan, has seven caves, some of which were inhabited during pre-colonial times, and is now an Important Cultural Treasure as declared by the National Museum.[16] Guyangan Hill, where the caves are situated, also has a natural view deck called Manamyaw overlooking Barangay Poblacion and the Sibuyan Sea. On a clear day, the islands of Sibuyan, Romblon, and Tablas, as well as Burias Island, can be easily seen from Manamyaw. The island has several rock formations as well. Punta Matagar in Barangay Poblacion is a pointed rock formation in the shape of a spear or arrow head. In Barangay Banice, on the southern portion of the island, lies a rock arch said to be the anchorage of "Lolo Amang", a mythological figure in Romblon's nautical folklore similar to the Flying Dutchman.[1][5]

Beaches edit

Several beaches dot Banton's coast including Macat-ang, Tabonan, Mahaba, Recodo, Togbongan, Mainit, and Tambak beaches. Some like Macat-ang, Tabonan, and Tambak are white sand beaches, while others, like Togbongan, are pebbled and rocky.[1][5] The island's waters are also well-known dive sites, with corals that serve as breeding ground for groupers, snappers, sharks, and stingrays.[51]

Festivals edit

Banton has annual religious and cultural festivals. The Sanrokan festival showcases the local tradition of sharing food, especially viand, among neighbors and starts from Holy Saturday up to Easter Sunday. The festival has two phases: the Sanrokan sa Barangay (sharing of food in the villages) and the Sanrokan sa Poblacion (sharing of food at the town proper). Parlor games such as chasing the pig and palosebo (climbing a greased bamboo pole to claim a prize) are held during the celebration. This is followed by the Hanrumanan (meaning "souvenir/legacy") street dancing and parade.[5] Meanwhile, every year, on 10 September, the entire island pays tribute and homage to the town's patron saint, San Nicolas de Tolentino through the Biniray festival. Holy mass is held during feast day, followed by the parading of the saint's image around town. This leads to a fluvial parade around the island, with each village giving homage to the saint. Bantoanons also hold an annual Via Crucis during the Holy Week and Flores de Mayo in May.[1]

Government edit

 
Banton Civic Center in Barangay Poblacion is the seat of the municipal government of Banton, Romblon

Local government edit

As a municipality in the Province of Romblon, government officials in the provincial level are voted by the electorates of the town. The provincial government have political jurisdiction over local transactions of the municipal government.

Pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1991,[52] the municipality of Banton is composed of a mayor (alkalde), a vice mayor (bise alkalde) and eight members (kagawad) of the Sangguniang Bayan or town council, alongside a secretary to the said council, all of which are elected to a three-year term and are eligible to run for three consecutive terms. As of 30 June 2022, Banton's incumbent mayor is Milagros "Mely" Faderanga of the Nacionalista Party while the incumbent Vice Mayor is Loijorge Fegalan, also of the Nacionalista Party.[53]

The barangays or villages, meanwhile, are headed by elected officials, the topmost being the Punong Barangay or the Barangay Chairperson (addressed as Kapitan; also known as the Barangay Captain). The Kapitan is aided by the Sangguniang Barangay (Barangay Council) whose members, called Barangay Kagawad (Councilors), are also elected.[54] The barangays have SK federation which represents the barangay, headed by SK chairperson and whose members are called SK councilors. All officials are also elected every three years.

In 2011 and 2013, Banton was a recipient of the Seal of Good Housekeeping from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). As recipient of the award, the local government was rewarded with one million pesos from the Performance Challenge Fund of the DILG for use in local projects.[55][56] The Seal of Good Housekeeping is a mechanism which tracks the performance of local government units, "specifically in the areas of local legislation, development planning, resource generation, and resource allocation".[57]

Municipal seal edit

 
Banton's municipal seal

The municipal seal of Banton is composed of two concentric circles: a thin yellow outer circle and a small white circle. The yellow outer circle has the words Bayan ng Banton (Municipality of Banton) written on top in a semi-circular fashion and the words Lalawigan ng Romblon (Province of Romblon) on the bottom in a semi-circular fashion. At the center of the small white circle is a shield with five grey sides, a motif taken from the Provincial Seal of Romblon. The shield has a light blue field representing the Sibuyan Sea where the island municipality is located.[58]

At the center of the light blue field is an outline map of the island in green. Two figures can also be seen on the seal: A coconut tree on the center of the outline of the island, representing copra, the island's major crop and economic activity, which als' symbolizes the Bantoanons' desire to live a decent life and gain greater knowledge for a brighter tomorrow. On light blue field to left of the outline of the island is an image of a wooden ship, locally known lanson, as the Bantoanons are skilled shipbuilders. It also symbolizes their desire to seek adventure and greener pastures.[58]

Infrastructure edit

 
Motorcycle taxis are the main mode of transportation in Banton.

Utilities edit

Electricity in the island is supplied by a 0.326 MW diesel power plant of the Romblon Electric Cooperative (ROMELCO). Electricity service used to be available only in early morning, from 4:00 to 6:00 a.m. and at night, from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m., due to limited fuel supplies.[59] On 16 March 2018, ROMELCO began supplying the island with 24-hour electricity.[60]

Water is being supplied through a level-one water system installed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through its Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi CIDDS) initiative in 2015. The water is sourced from underground freshwater springs in Barangay Mainit and distributed to individual homes through a network of pipes and pumps. Aside from this system, locals also get potable water from artesian wells built in several locations in the island and rainwater collection systems that many residents have in their homes.[61][62]

The island has access to cellular phone and Internet service through Smart and Globe. Terrestrial and cable television service are also available.[5]

Transportation edit

As seas surrounding Banton can be rough during the wet season, the best time to visit the island is from March to May during the dry (summer) season. This is also the typical time for Asi families living in Metro Manila or abroad to visit the island since it coincides with the Lenten season and barangay fiestas.[5] Within the island, the main forms of transportation are passenger motorcycles (known elsewhere as habal-habal) and motorized boats. A circumferential road connects the 17 barangays of Banton to each other.[5]

By sea: Banton is accessible via RORO vessels, wooden launches and motorized boats that regularly travel from Lucena City, Quezon. A RORO ferry by Starhorse Shipping leaves for Banton at 4 p.m. every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday and returns to Lucena City from Banton at 5 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.[63] Tourists and visitors can also take RORO vessels that ply the Manila-Odiongan, Batangas City-Odiongan, or the Roxas-Odiongan route. From Odiongan, Banton can be reached by jeepney and motorized boat via Calatrava, Romblon.[5][64] Another alternative route is through Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro using motorized boats.[5][64]

By air: The closest airport with active airline service is Tugdan Airport in Alcantara, Romblon. AirSWIFT has flights to the airport, with two flights weekly from Manila.[65] From Alcantara, Banton can be reached in five to six hours by jeepney and motorized outrigger boats from Calatrava.[5]

Health edit

 
The building of the Banton Rural Health Unit in Barangay Poblacion.

Banton has a rural health unit located beside the town hall and town square in Barangay Poblacion that can provide basic healthcare services to its residents. Aside from this, there are barangays that have a health center that provide healthcare monitoring, first aid, and other basic healthcare services. For more severe medical emergencies and other medical tests, patients need to be transported to Romblon, Odiongan, or Lucena to receive healthcare services.[66][67][68]

Education edit

 
Banice Elementary School

Banton has a high literacy rate owing to the establishment of several public elementary and secondary schools. All schools in the island are administered by the Department of Education (DepEd). The main public elementary school, Banton Central School, and the main secondary school, Banton National High School, are both located in the main village of Poblacion. There are public elementary schools as well in the villages of Balogo, Banice, Libtong, Nasunogan, Tan-ag, Tungonan, and Tumalum (shared with the village of Lagang). Another secondary school, Tungonan National High School, is located in Tungonan.[69]

Notable personalities edit

Gallery edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j . Banton Official Website. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  2. ^ Municipality of Banton | (DILG)
  3. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Census of Population (2020). "Mimaropa". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Fabonan III, Epi (29 May 2009). . Tourism Philippines. Archived from the original on 30 May 2009. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  6. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Banton Cloth". National Museum of the Philippines. 10 February 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  8. ^ Ocampo, Ambeth (19 October 2011). "Looking Back: History and design in Death Blankets". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  9. ^ Batongbakal, Jr., Luisito. "15 Most Intense Archaeological Discoveries in Philippine History". Filipiknow.net. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  10. ^ Buencamino, Felipe & Villamor, Ignacio. (1920)
  11. ^ a b Esquejo, Kristoffer (2014). The Making of a Philippine Province: Romblon During the American Colonial Period. Manila: University of the Philippines-Diliman. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  12. ^ . An Act Changing the Name of the Municipality of Jones, province of Romblon, to municipality of Banton. PhilippineLaw.info. Archived from the original on 18 April 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  13. ^ a b Halcon, Rainier, Fronda, Ariel et al. (2015)
  14. ^ Loyola, James (21 June 2014). . Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on 9 December 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  15. ^ Feliciano, Claire-Ann (19 June 2014). "Geothermal area up for auction in Q3". BusinessWorld. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  16. ^ a b Cultural Properties Division. . National Museum of the Philippines. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  17. ^ Lao, Levine Andro (26 May 2013). "Romblon cathedral, ancient Hispanic forts declared National Cultural Treasures". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  18. ^ Henares, Ivan (26 January 2014). "Updated Philippine Registry of Cultural Property (PRECUP)". Ivan About Town. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  19. ^ "'Nona' makes fifth landfall in Oriental Mindoro". The Philippine Star. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  20. ^ Fos, Paul Jaysent (9 December 2019). "Romblon attains zero casualty on Tisoy's onslaught". Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  21. ^ Ornedpo, Julia Mari (5 December 2019). "State of calamity declared in Oriental Mindoro and areas in Quezon, Romblon". GMA News. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  22. ^ Fos, Paul Jaysent (6 December 2019). "Tagalog News: Bagyong Tisoy, sinira ang 912 bahay sa Banton, Romblon". Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  23. ^ Mayuga, Jonathan (2 April 2020). "DENR official sees revival of native monkey farming amid global virus contagion". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  24. ^ Mayuga, Jonathan (13 April 2020). "Don't export monkeys for research—activist". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  25. ^ Fos, Paul Jaysent (21 October 2020). "Ilang bangka sa Banton, sinira ng malalakas na alon". Romblon News. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  26. ^ Fos, Paul Jaysent (25 October 2020). "Signal #3 itinaas sa Corcuera, Banton at Concepcion dahil kay Quinta; Signal #2 ang natitirang bahagi ng Romblon". Romblon News. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  27. ^ Ornedo, Julia Mari (15 March 2021). "24 municipalities COVID-free a year since community quarantine took effect". GMA News Online. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
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References edit

  • Buencamino, Felipe & Villamor, Ignacio (1920). Census of the Philippine Islands Taken Under the Direction of the Philippine Legislature in the Year 1918, Volume 1. Manila, Philippines: Bureau of Printing.
  • Halcon, Rainier; Fronda, Ariel; et al. "Detailed Resource Assessment of Selected Low-Enthalpy Geothermal Areas in the Philippines" (PDF). Geothermal Energy Management Division, Renewable Energy Management Bureau, Department of Energy.
  • Zorc, R. David Paul (1977). The Bisayan Dialects of the Philippines: Subgrouping and Reconstruction. Canberra, Australia: Department of Linguistics, Research School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University.
  • David Espinosa, Fiona Nichols, et al. (1997) Diving Southeast Asia. University of California: Periplus Action Guides. ISBN 978-962-593-141-8

External links edit

  • Banton Profile at PhilAtlas.com
  • Banton, Romblon Profile - Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index
  • Philippine Standard Geographic Code
  • Yagting Web Service Provider: Banton, Romblon 2012-04-15 at the Wayback Machine
  • Banton, Romblon on YouTube

banton, romblon, banton, officially, municipality, banton, bantoanon, banwa, banton, filipino, bayan, banton, formerly, known, jones, class, municipality, province, romblon, philippines, according, 2020, census, population, people, banton, jonesmunicipalitymun. Banton officially the Municipality of Banton Bantoanon Banwa it Banton Filipino Bayan ng Banton formerly known as Jones is a 5th class municipality in the province of Romblon Philippines According to the 2020 census it has a population of 5 737 people 4 Banton JonesMunicipalityMunicipality of Banton From top left to right Banton Island Fort San Jose the 16th century St Nicholas de Tolentino Parish Church Macat ang Beach in Barangay Mainit a pre colonial artifacts found in Banton s Guyangan Cave System Banton Civic Center and Banton s poblacion viewed from Manamyaw Cliff FlagSealMap of Romblon with Banton highlightedOpenStreetMapBantonLocation within the PhilippinesCoordinates 12 56 46 N 122 05 46 E 12 946 N 122 096 E 12 946 122 096CountryPhilippinesRegionMimaropaProvinceRomblonDistrictLone districtFounded1622 1 Barangays17 see Barangays Government 2 TypeSangguniang Bayan MayorMilagros F Faderanga Vice MayorLoijorge F Fegalan RepresentativeEleandro Jesus F Madrona CouncilorsAllan Fabula Carmi Faderanga Monie Faderanga Bert Fadrilan Renato Faz Joemel Ferrancol Onad Ferrolino Bemboy Fonte Electorate3 963 voters 2022 Area 3 Total32 48 km2 12 54 sq mi Elevation13 m 43 ft Highest elevation Mount Ampongo 607 m 1 991 ft Lowest elevation0 m 0 ft Population 2020 census 4 Total5 737 Density180 km2 460 sq mi Households1 495DemonymBantoanon 5 Economy Income class5th municipal income class Poverty incidence16 71 2018 6 Revenue 55 8 million 2020 Assets 197 2 million 2020 Expenditure 57 92 million 2020 Liabilities 27 75 million 2020 Service provider ElectricityRomblon Electric Cooperative ROMELCO Time zoneUTC 8 PST ZIP code5515PSGC1705902000IDD area code 63 0 42Native languagesBantoanon TagalogPatron saintSan Nicolas de Tolentino Its territory encompasses the entire Banton Island and a few uninhabited smaller islands The island is located on the northern portion of the province and lies on the northern portion of the Sibuyan Sea near the southern tip of Marinduque It is a town of about 5 000 people majority of which speak the Bantoanon language also known as Asi one of the five primary branches of the Bisayan languages Banton is thought to be already inhabited by Filipinos since the pre colonial period based on analysis of human remains coffins an ancient burial cloth and other archaeological finds discovered at the Guyangan Cave System by the National Museum in 1936 The present settlement was founded in 1622 by the Spanish and is the oldest settlement in the province During the American colonial period the municipality changed its name to Jones in honor of American congressman William Jones who authored the Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916 Today Banton is one of Romblon s thriving municipalities with an economy dependent on copra farming fishing raffia palm weaving and tourism The island is collectively known as a cultural landscape due to its historical cultural and archaeological value to humanity Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 2 1 Early history 2 2 20th century 2 3 21st century 3 Geography 3 1 Barangays 3 2 Climate 4 Demographics 4 1 Language 5 Economy 6 Tourism 6 1 Heritage sites 6 2 Natural formations 6 3 Beaches 6 4 Festivals 7 Government 7 1 Local government 7 2 Municipal seal 8 Infrastructure 8 1 Utilities 8 2 Transportation 9 Health 10 Education 11 Notable personalities 12 Gallery 13 Notes 14 References 15 External linksEtymology editThe name Banton was derived from the Asi word batoon meaning rocky referring to the mountainous and rocky topography of the island due to its volcanic origin 5 Another possible origin is the word bantoy which is the Asi word for the venomous stonefish 1 History edit nbsp The Banton Cloth the oldest existing example of warp ikat in Southeast Asia displayed at the National Museum of the Philippines nbsp Ipot Cave where the earliest known warp ikat textile in Southeast Asia was found in 1936 nbsp Fuerza de San Jose Banton s Spanish colonial era fort Early history edit Banton was already inhabited during pre colonial times as proven by ancient artefacts such as wooden coffins and skeletal remains found in the island s Guyangan Cave System in 1936 by a team of researchers from the National Museum of the Philippines Among the artefacts was the Banton Cloth a piece of a traditional burial cloth found in one of the wooden coffins It is estimated to be 400 years old making it the earliest known warp ikat tie resist dyeing textile in the Philippines and Southeast Asia 7 8 9 These artifacts are now preserved at the National Museum of Anthropology in Manila 7 The municipality of Banton was established by Spanish colonial authorities in 1622 the first town established in Romblon which was then part of Capiz province It was initially founded in a site in Bacoco Hill now part of Barangay Hambian south west of its present site The administration of the other islands of Romblon were put under the jurisdiction of Banton until 1631 when Pueblo de Romblon was founded 1 In 1640 due to frequent raids by Moros who looted and pillaged the settlement the limestone fort called Fuerza de San Jose and the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church was constructed under the leadership of Father Agustin de San Pedro also known as El Padre Capitan who was the parish priest of Banton at that time The construction was completed in 1644 and in 1648 San Nicolas de Tolentino was installed as the town s patron saint The fort effectively protected the town against further Moro raids Banton ceased being part of Capiz when the Spanish colonial government created the politico military province of Romblon on 11 January 1868 1 20th century edit When civilian government was introduced in Romblon by the Americans on 16 March 1901 Banton was one of the 11 new municipalities reinstated or created In 1918 the municipality was renamed Jones in honor of American congressman William Jones who authored the Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916 that provided for greater autonomy for the Philippines under American colonial rule 10 On 8 June 1940 with the passage of Commonwealth Act No 581 all of Romblon s municipalities were dissolved and Jones together with Corcuera and Concepcion were consolidated into a special municipality called Maghali one of four special municipalities that the law created the rest being Romblon Tablas and Sibuyan 11 The reorganization proved to be difficult for the province s local leaders and after World War II Republic Act No 38 repealed Commonwealth Act No 581 restoring Jones to its pre war status 11 On 24 April 1959 Republic Act No 2158 restored the island to its former name Banton 12 21st century edit In 2013 Banton was one of the sites of a detailed resource assessment by the Department of Energy DOE along with Maricaban Island in Batangas and Balut Island in Saranggani The study aimed to determine whether the island can be a site for low enthalpy geothermal power generation However no exploitable geothermal resource has been delineated on the island 13 14 15 On 19 March 2013 the National Museum of the Philippines declared the island s Guyangan Cave System where precolonial wooden coffins remains and the Banton Cloth were found as an Important Cultural Property 16 17 18 The island municipality was greatly devastated by Typhoon Melor on 15 December 2015 19 which made its fourth landfall over the island and by Typhoon Kammuri on 3 December 2019 which made its second landfall over the island 20 21 The typhoon destroyed or damaged 912 houses in the island municipality while 42 percent of agricultural lands were damaged The estimated cost of damage to infrastructure in the town was 39 million 22 In 2020 the population of the Philippine long tailed macaque Macaca fascicularis philippensis in the island was found to have increased over previously documented levels with the monkeys destroying crops and raiding homes The Department of Environment and Natural Resources sent a team to the island which confirmed the population increase To control its population the team suggested that the macaques be exported to monkey farms in Luzon for use in scientific research on diseases such as Ebola Nedim Buyukmihci a professor emeritus of veterinary medicine at the University of California Davis has expressed opposition to the plan 23 24 On 21 October 2020 several fishing boats in the villages of Mainit and Yabawon on the western side of the island municipality were destroyed by huge waves caused by Typhoon Saudel which passed over the central portion of Luzon Island in the north of the Philippines 25 A few days later on 25 October the island municipality was devastated by Typhoon Molave which made landfall over Torrijos Marinduque just north of the island PAGASA raised typhoon Signal No 3 over the island along with the rest of northern Romblon as the typhoon passed over the province with winds of up to 130 kph The typhoon caused a landslide along the Togbongan Nabalay Road on the north of the island and also destroyed several homes and agricultural lands 26 In 2021 and 2022 the island municipality marked two important milestones On 15 March 2021 Banton marked a year of being COVID 19 free since the community quarantine in the Philippines began It joined 23 other municipalities in the distinguished status 27 28 In August 2022 the town celebrated its 400th founding anniversary with a host of religious and festive social activities including a ceremonial release of balloons 29 On 16 July 2023 MV Maria Helena a ROPAX ferry owned and operated by Montenegro Shipping Lines intentionally beached in Barangay Nasunogan after it titled in the Sibuyan Sea while en route to San Agustin from Lucena The incident was caused by a tire blowout in one of the vehicles being carried by the ferry amid rough seas causing the vehicle the tilt and its lashing to snap and resulting in vehicle pileup on the port side of the vessel All 120 passengers and crew were rescued The vessel has since been righted its cargo transferred to another vessel and has sailed back to Lucena for repairs 30 31 Geography editBanton lies on the northern portion of the Sibuyan Sea and is equidistant between Marinduque Island to the north and Tablas Island to the south It is composed of the main island of Banton and the uninhabited islands of Bantoncillo Carlota and Isabel the last two of which are collectively known as the Dos Hermanas Islands There is also Polloc Islet near Tabonan Beach just off the northwest portion of the island and part of Barangay Yabawon 1 The Islands of Banton Romblon nbsp Banton Island where the main settlement is located nbsp Bantoncillo Island also known as Gakot Island nbsp The Dos Hermanas Islands composed of Carlota and Isabel Islands nbsp Polloc an uninhabited island a few meters off the coast of Tabunan Beach in Barangay Yabawon Banton has a total land area of 3 248 hectares 32 48 km2 32 Based on rock petrology the island is a dormant volcano which lies at the southernmost portion of the Pleistocene Quaternary West Luzon volcanic arc and may have been active during the Pliocene period 13 Because of its volcanic origin the island has a mountainous rocky topography with very few patches of flat land suitable for farming The island s highest elevation Mount Ampongo rises at 596 metres 1 955 ft 5 Barangays edit nbsp Bird s eye view of Barangay Poblacion Banton is politically subdivided into 17 barangays 32 Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios In 1954 the sitios of Mahaba Angomon Solocan Kapanranan and Yabawon were consolidated into the barangay known as Yabawon 33 Balogo Banice Hambi an Lagang Libtong Mainit Nabalay Nasunogan Poblacion Sibay Tan Ag Toctoc Togbongan Togong Tungonan Tumalum Yabawon Climate edit Climate data for Banton Romblon Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Mean daily maximum C F 28 82 29 84 29 84 27 81 32 90 31 88 29 84 30 86 31 88 30 86 29 84 28 82 29 84 Mean daily minimum C F 23 73 24 75 24 75 23 73 25 77 25 77 24 75 25 77 25 77 25 77 24 75 24 75 25 77 Average precipitation mm inches 102 4 0 27 1 1 30 1 2 129 5 1 120 4 7 237 9 3 189 7 4 186 7 3 126 5 0 231 9 1 162 6 4 90 3 5 1 629 64 1 Average rainy days 14 12 9 11 20 20 21 22 19 21 17 17 203 Source World Weather Online 34 As part of Romblon Banton is classified under Type III of the Corona climatic classification system This type of climate is described as having no prominent wet or dry seasons The wet season which usually occurs from June to November can extend up to December during the onset of the southwest monsoon The dry season from January to May may sometimes have periods of rainfall or even inclement weather Demographics editPopulation census of BantonYearPop p a 19034 043 19186 060 2 73 19394 972 0 94 19485 542 1 21 19606 155 0 88 19706 447 0 46 19757 545 3 20 19807 362 0 49 19907 077 0 39 19956 069 2 84 20006 769 2 37 20076 799 0 06 20105 963 4 66 20155 536 1 41 20205 737 0 70 Source Philippine Statistics Authority 35 36 37 38 According to the 2020 census Banton has a population of 5 737 people 4 The island municipality is sparsely populated with a population density of 170 km2 441 sq mi According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government DILG and the Commission on Elections COMELEC in 2013 there were 3 694 registered voters in Banton spread over 31 electoral precincts Of this figure 1 794 are male registered voters while 1 900 are female 39 Language edit nbsp A sign written in the Asi language that says Huyatang Lugar waiting place for motorcycle taxis Main article Asi language The island s inhabitants speak the Asi language also known as Bantoanon one of three major languages spoken in Romblon and one of five primary branches of the Bisayan language family The island s inhabitants were the first speakers of the language throughout the province having spoken it since precolonial times From Banton the language spread to other island like Maestro de Campo Simara and in the towns of Calatrava and Odiongan in Tablas Island 1 David Paul Zorc a linguist from the Australian National University whose expertise is on Philippine languages notes that Asi speakers may have been the first Bisayan speakers in the Romblon region He also suggests that Asi may have a Cebuano substratum and that many of its words may have been influenced by the later influx of other languages such as Romblomanon 40 Economy edit nbsp Copra farming in Banton Banton has a primarily agricultural economy with copra farming and fishing as the main sources of livelihood There is also an indigenous raffia palm handicraft industry Other crops grown in the island are root crops such as cassava sweet potatoes fruits and vegetables The locals also engage in livestock raising for local consumption and small scale shipbuilding of wooden boats and launches 5 Due to the island s rocky topography and lack of a stable supply of freshwater rice production is difficult in the island Rice from Mindoro Marinduque or Quezon is supplied to the island by local traders In recent years the island has also become a small tourist hub for Asi expatriates and foreign tourists from the United States and other countries 5 Poverty Incidence of Banton 10 20 30 40 50 2006 42 40 2009 37 97 2012 30 65 2015 25 02 2018 16 71 2021 24 85 Source Philippine Statistics Authority 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 Tourism editBanton is an eco tourism and heritage destination due to its beaches diving sites caves churches and Spanish era fortifications 5 Heritage sites edit nbsp The retablo or altarpiece of Banton Church showing different Catholic saints nbsp Tambak Beach nbsp Tabonan Beach Being the oldest settlement in Romblon Banton has several Spanish era fortifications and churches as well as American era houses These include Fuerza de San Jose Banton Church the old campanile made of limestone at Everlast in Barangay Poblacion and a limestone watchtower at Onte in Barangay Toctoc There is an American era house at Pinagkaisahan in Barangay Poblacion which used to be the Ugat Faigao Museum but now serves as a sari sari store The Asi Studies Center for Culture and the Arts also in Purok Everlast serves as an information center for the Asi language and Banton history as well as depository of Banton s archaeological and cultural artifacts The Church of San Nicolas de Tolentino also has a small museum of pre colonial and Spanish era artifacts 1 5 Among these artifacts is an intricate jar known locally as balogodibo which three children accidentally found at Barangay Balogo in 2010 49 The National Museum of the Philippines also announced in 2016 the construction of a site museum near the island s Guyangan Cave System on a 1 5 hectare 3 7 acre property donated by the Fabicon family The site museum will serve as depository of the island s cultural treasures and will conduct research on how to best preserve the island s intangible heritage 50 Natural formations edit Caves are Banton s well known natural formations The Guyangan Cave System situated at the boundary of Barangay Toctoc and Togbongan has seven caves some of which were inhabited during pre colonial times and is now an Important Cultural Treasure as declared by the National Museum 16 Guyangan Hill where the caves are situated also has a natural view deck called Manamyaw overlooking Barangay Poblacion and the Sibuyan Sea On a clear day the islands of Sibuyan Romblon and Tablas as well as Burias Island can be easily seen from Manamyaw The island has several rock formations as well Punta Matagar in Barangay Poblacion is a pointed rock formation in the shape of a spear or arrow head In Barangay Banice on the southern portion of the island lies a rock arch said to be the anchorage of Lolo Amang a mythological figure in Romblon s nautical folklore similar to the Flying Dutchman 1 5 Beaches edit Several beaches dot Banton s coast including Macat ang Tabonan Mahaba Recodo Togbongan Mainit and Tambak beaches Some like Macat ang Tabonan and Tambak are white sand beaches while others like Togbongan are pebbled and rocky 1 5 The island s waters are also well known dive sites with corals that serve as breeding ground for groupers snappers sharks and stingrays 51 Festivals edit Banton has annual religious and cultural festivals The Sanrokan festival showcases the local tradition of sharing food especially viand among neighbors and starts from Holy Saturday up to Easter Sunday The festival has two phases the Sanrokan sa Barangay sharing of food in the villages and the Sanrokan sa Poblacion sharing of food at the town proper Parlor games such as chasing the pig and palosebo climbing a greased bamboo pole to claim a prize are held during the celebration This is followed by the Hanrumanan meaning souvenir legacy street dancing and parade 5 Meanwhile every year on 10 September the entire island pays tribute and homage to the town s patron saint San Nicolas de Tolentino through the Biniray festival Holy mass is held during feast day followed by the parading of the saint s image around town This leads to a fluvial parade around the island with each village giving homage to the saint Bantoanons also hold an annual Via Crucis during the Holy Week and Flores de Mayo in May 1 Government edit nbsp Banton Civic Center in Barangay Poblacion is the seat of the municipal government of Banton Romblon Local government edit Main article Philippine municipality As a municipality in the Province of Romblon government officials in the provincial level are voted by the electorates of the town The provincial government have political jurisdiction over local transactions of the municipal government Pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1991 52 the municipality of Banton is composed of a mayor alkalde a vice mayor bise alkalde and eight members kagawad of the Sangguniang Bayan or town council alongside a secretary to the said council all of which are elected to a three year term and are eligible to run for three consecutive terms As of 30 June 2022 Banton s incumbent mayor is Milagros Mely Faderanga of the Nacionalista Party while the incumbent Vice Mayor is Loijorge Fegalan also of the Nacionalista Party 53 The barangays or villages meanwhile are headed by elected officials the topmost being the Punong Barangay or the Barangay Chairperson addressed as Kapitan also known as the Barangay Captain The Kapitan is aided by the Sangguniang Barangay Barangay Council whose members called Barangay Kagawad Councilors are also elected 54 The barangays have SK federation which represents the barangay headed by SK chairperson and whose members are called SK councilors All officials are also elected every three years In 2011 and 2013 Banton was a recipient of the Seal of Good Housekeeping from the Department of the Interior and Local Government DILG As recipient of the award the local government was rewarded with one million pesos from the Performance Challenge Fund of the DILG for use in local projects 55 56 The Seal of Good Housekeeping is a mechanism which tracks the performance of local government units specifically in the areas of local legislation development planning resource generation and resource allocation 57 Municipal seal edit nbsp Banton s municipal seal The municipal seal of Banton is composed of two concentric circles a thin yellow outer circle and a small white circle The yellow outer circle has the words Bayan ng Banton Municipality of Banton written on top in a semi circular fashion and the words Lalawigan ng Romblon Province of Romblon on the bottom in a semi circular fashion At the center of the small white circle is a shield with five grey sides a motif taken from the Provincial Seal of Romblon The shield has a light blue field representing the Sibuyan Sea where the island municipality is located 58 At the center of the light blue field is an outline map of the island in green Two figures can also be seen on the seal A coconut tree on the center of the outline of the island representing copra the island s major crop and economic activity which als symbolizes the Bantoanons desire to live a decent life and gain greater knowledge for a brighter tomorrow On light blue field to left of the outline of the island is an image of a wooden ship locally known lanson as the Bantoanons are skilled shipbuilders It also symbolizes their desire to seek adventure and greener pastures 58 Infrastructure edit nbsp Motorcycle taxis are the main mode of transportation in Banton Utilities edit Electricity in the island is supplied by a 0 326 MW diesel power plant of the Romblon Electric Cooperative ROMELCO Electricity service used to be available only in early morning from 4 00 to 6 00 a m and at night from 5 00 to 11 00 p m due to limited fuel supplies 59 On 16 March 2018 ROMELCO began supplying the island with 24 hour electricity 60 Water is being supplied through a level one water system installed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development DSWD through its Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services Kalahi CIDDS initiative in 2015 The water is sourced from underground freshwater springs in Barangay Mainit and distributed to individual homes through a network of pipes and pumps Aside from this system locals also get potable water from artesian wells built in several locations in the island and rainwater collection systems that many residents have in their homes 61 62 The island has access to cellular phone and Internet service through Smart and Globe Terrestrial and cable television service are also available 5 Transportation edit As seas surrounding Banton can be rough during the wet season the best time to visit the island is from March to May during the dry summer season This is also the typical time for Asi families living in Metro Manila or abroad to visit the island since it coincides with the Lenten season and barangay fiestas 5 Within the island the main forms of transportation are passenger motorcycles known elsewhere as habal habal and motorized boats A circumferential road connects the 17 barangays of Banton to each other 5 By sea Banton is accessible via RORO vessels wooden launches and motorized boats that regularly travel from Lucena City Quezon A RORO ferry by Starhorse Shipping leaves for Banton at 4 p m every Sunday Tuesday and Thursday and returns to Lucena City from Banton at 5 p m every Monday Wednesday and Friday 63 Tourists and visitors can also take RORO vessels that ply the Manila Odiongan Batangas City Odiongan or the Roxas Odiongan route From Odiongan Banton can be reached by jeepney and motorized boat via Calatrava Romblon 5 64 Another alternative route is through Pinamalayan Oriental Mindoro using motorized boats 5 64 By air The closest airport with active airline service is Tugdan Airport in Alcantara Romblon AirSWIFT has flights to the airport with two flights weekly from Manila 65 From Alcantara Banton can be reached in five to six hours by jeepney and motorized outrigger boats from Calatrava 5 Health edit nbsp The building of the Banton Rural Health Unit in Barangay Poblacion Banton has a rural health unit located beside the town hall and town square in Barangay Poblacion that can provide basic healthcare services to its residents Aside from this there are barangays that have a health center that provide healthcare monitoring first aid and other basic healthcare services For more severe medical emergencies and other medical tests patients need to be transported to Romblon Odiongan or Lucena to receive healthcare services 66 67 68 Education edit nbsp Banice Elementary School Banton has a high literacy rate owing to the establishment of several public elementary and secondary schools All schools in the island are administered by the Department of Education DepEd The main public elementary school Banton Central School and the main secondary school Banton National High School are both located in the main village of Poblacion There are public elementary schools as well in the villages of Balogo Banice Libtong Nasunogan Tan ag Tungonan and Tumalum shared with the village of Lagang Another secondary school Tungonan National High School is located in Tungonan 69 Notable personalities editGabriel Fabella co founder and first president of the Philippine Historical Association Father of June 12 Independence Day and sole representative of Romblon in the First National Assembly 1935 1938 Gallery edit nbsp Banton Island in the Sibuyan Sea nbsp Punta Matagar rock formation nbsp The 15th century limestone walls of Fuerza de San Jose nbsp Heritage houses along Banton s seawall nbsp The interior of the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church nbsp A Spanish era cannon in front of the Banton Civic Center nbsp Ruins of an old Spanish era watchtower in barrio OntiNotes edit a b c d e f g h i j Banton Brief History Banton Official Website Archived from the original on 10 February 2012 Retrieved 14 April 2012 Municipality of Banton DILG 2015 Census of Population Report No 3 Population Land Area and Population Density PDF Philippine Statistics Authority Quezon City Philippines August 2016 ISSN 0117 1453 Archived PDF from the original on May 25 2021 Retrieved July 16 2021 a b c Census of Population 2020 Mimaropa Total Population by Province City Municipality and Barangay Philippine Statistics Authority Retrieved 8 July 2021 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Fabonan III Epi 29 May 2009 Banton Island Tourism Philippines Archived from the original on 30 May 2009 Retrieved 14 April 2012 PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates Philippine Statistics Authority 15 December 2021 Retrieved 22 January 2022 a b Banton Cloth National Museum of the Philippines 10 February 2014 Retrieved 3 March 2016 Ocampo Ambeth 19 October 2011 Looking Back History and design in Death Blankets Philippine Daily Inquirer Retrieved 24 April 2014 Batongbakal Jr Luisito 15 Most Intense Archaeological Discoveries in Philippine History Filipiknow net Retrieved 14 August 2015 Buencamino Felipe amp Villamor Ignacio 1920 a b Esquejo Kristoffer 2014 The Making of a Philippine Province Romblon During the American Colonial Period Manila University of the Philippines Diliman a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a work ignored help CS1 maint location missing publisher link R A No 2158 An Act Changing the Name of the Municipality of Jones province of Romblon to municipality of Banton PhilippineLaw info Archived from the original on 18 April 2012 Retrieved 14 April 2012 a b Halcon Rainier Fronda Ariel et al 2015 Loyola James 21 June 2014 DOE to bid out 3 new geothermal sites Manila Bulletin Archived from the original on 9 December 2015 Retrieved 14 August 2015 Feliciano Claire Ann 19 June 2014 Geothermal area up for auction in Q3 BusinessWorld Retrieved 14 August 2015 a b Cultural Properties Division 2013 Heritage Pride NM declarations of National Cultural Treasures NCTs and Important Cultural Properties ICPs National Museum of the Philippines Archived from the original on 31 May 2014 Retrieved 14 August 2015 Lao Levine Andro 26 May 2013 Romblon cathedral ancient Hispanic forts declared National Cultural Treasures Philippine Daily Inquirer Retrieved 14 August 2015 Henares Ivan 26 January 2014 Updated Philippine Registry of Cultural Property PRECUP Ivan About Town Retrieved 14 August 2015 Nona makes fifth landfall in Oriental Mindoro The Philippine Star 15 December 2015 Retrieved 16 December 2015 Fos Paul Jaysent 9 December 2019 Romblon attains zero casualty on Tisoy s onslaught Philippine Information Agency Retrieved 22 January 2020 Ornedpo Julia Mari 5 December 2019 State of calamity declared in Oriental Mindoro and areas in Quezon Romblon GMA News Retrieved 22 January 2020 Fos Paul Jaysent 6 December 2019 Tagalog News Bagyong Tisoy sinira ang 912 bahay sa Banton Romblon Philippine Information Agency Retrieved 26 October 2020 Mayuga Jonathan 2 April 2020 DENR official sees revival of native monkey farming amid global virus contagion BusinessMirror Retrieved 9 May 2020 Mayuga Jonathan 13 April 2020 Don t export monkeys for research activist BusinessMirror Retrieved 9 May 2020 Fos Paul Jaysent 21 October 2020 Ilang bangka sa Banton sinira ng malalakas na alon Romblon News Retrieved 26 October 2020 Fos Paul Jaysent 25 October 2020 Signal 3 itinaas sa Corcuera Banton at Concepcion dahil kay Quinta Signal 2 ang natitirang bahagi ng Romblon Romblon News Retrieved 26 October 2020 Ornedo Julia Mari 15 March 2021 24 municipalities COVID free a year since community quarantine took effect GMA News Online Retrieved 4 February 2023 Mallari Delfin Jr 3 March 2021 Romblon town records 1st Covid 19 case Inquirer net Retrieved 4 February 2023 Virola Madonna 31 August 2022 Romblon town s plan to release 400 balloons in anniversary called out Inquirer net Retrieved 4 February 2023 Ferry runs aground off Romblon town nobody hurt Philstar com 16 July 2023 Retrieved 25 July 2023 Passenger vessel tilted off Romblon shoreline PCG GMA News Online 16 July 2023 Retrieved 25 July 2023 a b Municipality Banton PSGC Interactive Makati City Philippines National Statistical Coordination Board Retrieved 31 January 2013 R A No 1014 An Act Creating the Barrio of Yabawon in the Municipality of Jones Province of Romblon PhilippineLaw info Archived from the original on 12 July 2012 Retrieved 24 April 2014 Banton Romblon Average Temperatures and Rainfall World Weather Online Retrieved 11 August 2014 Census of Population 2015 Region IV B Mimaropa Total Population by Province City Municipality and Barangay Philippine Statistics Authority Retrieved 20 June 2016 Census of Population and Housing 2010 Region IV B Mimaropa PDF Total Population by Province City Municipality and Barangay National Statistics Office Retrieved 29 June 2016 Censuses of Population 1903 2007 Region IV B Mimaropa Table 1 Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province Highly Urbanized City 1903 to 2007 National Statistics Office a href Template Cite encyclopedia html title Template Cite encyclopedia cite encyclopedia a CS1 maint numeric names authors list link Province of Municipality Population Data Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division Retrieved 17 December 2016 Political Information Banton Romblon Department of the Interior and Local Government 2013 Retrieved 17 August 2015 Zorc R David Paul 1977 Poverty incidence PI Philippine Statistics Authority Retrieved December 28 2020 Poverty Incidence 2000 PDF Philippine Statistics Authority 29 November 2005 Poverty Incidence 2003 PDF Philippine Statistics Authority 23 March 2009 Poverty Incidence 2006 PDF Philippine Statistics Authority 3 August 2012 Poverty Incidence 2012 PDF Philippine Statistics Authority 31 May 2016 Poverty Incidence 2015 Philippine Statistics Authority 10 July 2019 PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates Philippine Statistics Authority 15 December 2021 Retrieved 22 January 2022 PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates Philippine Statistics Authority 2 April 2024 Retrieved 28 April 2024 Taruc Jay 18 March 2014 Mga Yaman ng Guyangan I Witness GMA Network Archived from the original on 2021 11 15 Retrieved 21 September 2016 Fos Paul Jaysent 21 September 2016 Fabicon family of Banton Island donates 1 5 hectare property to National Museum Romblon News Network Retrieved 21 September 2016 David Espinosa Fiona Nichols et al 1997 An Act Providing for a Local Government Code of 1991 The LawPhil Project 8th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines Retrieved April 21 2014 Halalan 2022 Banton Romblon Election Results ABS CBN News The Barangay Local Government Code of the Philippines Chan Robles Law Library 2011 PCF Beneficiaries Per Seal of Good Housekeeping Department of the Interior and Local Government 2011 Retrieved 17 August 2015 2013 PCF Beneficiaries Per Seal of Good Housekeeping Department of the Interior and Local Government 2013 Retrieved 17 August 2015 Serafica Raisa 16 January 2014 DILG introduces seal of good local governance Rappler Retrieved 17 August 2015 a b Banton Interactive Registry of Government Seals National Historical Commission of the Philippines Archived from the original on 28 December 2016 Retrieved 17 September 2020 via Wayback Machine Missionary Electrification Plan 2012 2021 PDF Small Power Utilities Group National Power Corporation 2011 Archived from the original PDF on 5 January 2016 Retrieved 17 August 2015 ROMELCO s Trust And Dedication Of Service ROMELCO 23 March 2018 Retrieved 18 April 2018 Catapang Sharmaine 8 October 2015 DSWD MiMaRoPa conducts Organizational Development and Management Training in Banton Romblon Department of Social Welfare and Development Retrieved 30 June 2018 BUB Programs and Projects Banton Romblon OpenBUB gov ph Retrieved 30 June 2018 Fos Paul Jaysent 19 April 2017 Bagong barko ikokonekta na ang Romblon Sibuyan San Agustin Banton Marinduque Lucena Romblon News Network Retrieved 18 April 2018 a b How to get to Romblon Romblon Lifestyles Archived from the original on 28 February 2015 Retrieved 11 August 2014 Tablas Romblon Here We Come AirSWIFT Retrieved 19 August 2022 Facilities List Banton Rural Health Unit National Health Facility Registry Retrieved 3 February 2023 Junio Leilani 20 February 2018 LGUs get portable ultrasound machines from DOH Mimaropa Philippine News Agency Retrieved 3 February 2023 Tagalog news 8 ambulansiya ipinagkaloob ng PCSO sa mga munisipyo sa Romblon PIA Mimaropa 15 February 2016 Retrieved 3 February 2023 Master List of Schools for SY 2013 2014 Manila Philippines Bureau of Public Schools Department of Education 2013 Archived from the original on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 17 August 2015 References editBuencamino Felipe amp Villamor Ignacio 1920 Census of the Philippine Islands Taken Under the Direction of the Philippine Legislature in the Year 1918 Volume 1 Manila Philippines Bureau of Printing Halcon Rainier Fronda Ariel et al Detailed Resource Assessment of Selected Low Enthalpy Geothermal Areas in the Philippines PDF Geothermal Energy Management Division Renewable Energy Management Bureau Department of Energy Zorc R David Paul 1977 The Bisayan Dialects of the Philippines Subgrouping and Reconstruction Canberra Australia Department of Linguistics Research School of Pacific Studies Australian National University David Espinosa Fiona Nichols et al 1997 Diving Southeast Asia University of California Periplus Action Guides ISBN 978 962 593 141 8External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Banton Romblon Banton Profile at PhilAtlas com Banton Romblon Profile Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index Philippine Standard Geographic Code Yagting Web Service Provider Banton Romblon Archived 2012 04 15 at the Wayback Machine Banton Romblon on YouTube Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Banton Romblon amp oldid 1211426113, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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