Mahatao
Municipality in Batanes, Philippines
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mahatao, officially the Municipality of Mahatao[a], is a municipality in the province of Batanes, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 1,745 people.[6]
Mahatao | |
|---|---|
| Municipality of Mahatao | |
Maydangeb Beach | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Map of Batanes with Mahatao highlighted | |
 Interactive map of Mahatao | |
| Coordinates: 20°25′N 121°57′E | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Cagayan Valley |
| Province | Batanes |
| District | Lone district |
| Barangays | 4 (see Barangays) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Sangguniang Bayan |
| • Mayor | Geronimo Carba |
| • Vice Mayor | Genes Galarion |
| • Representative | Ciriaco B. Gato Jr. |
| • Municipal Council | Members |
| • Electorate | 1,515 voters (2025) |
| Area | |
• Total | 12.90 km2 (4.98 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 63 m (207 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 1,013 m (3,323 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2024 census)[4] | |
• Total | 1,745 |
| • Density | 135.3/km2 (350.4/sq mi) |
| • Households | 497 |
| Economy | |
| • Income class | 6th municipal income class |
| • Poverty incidence | 7.84 |
| • Revenue | ₱ 65.78 million (2022) |
| • Assets | ₱ 144.8 million (2022) |
| • Expenditure | ₱ 47.8 million (2022) |
| • Liabilities | ₱ 48.77 million (2022) |
| Service provider | |
| • Electricity | Batanes Electric Cooperative (BATANELCO) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
| ZIP code | 3901 |
| PSGC | |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)78 |
| Native languages | Ivatan Tagalog Ilocano |
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History
Geography
Mahatao is located at 20°25′N 121°57′E.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 12.90 square kilometres (4.98 sq mi) [7] constituting 5.89% of the 219.01-square-kilometre- (84.56 sq mi) total area of Batanes.
Barangays
Mahatao is politically subdivided into 4 barangays.[8] These barangays are headed by elected officials: Barangay Captain, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors. All are elected every three years.
Hanib was corrected into Hañib by the Philippine Statistics Authority.[9]
Climate
| Climate data for Mahatao, Batanes | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 23 (73) |
23 (73) |
24 (75) |
26 (79) |
28 (82) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
28 (82) |
27 (81) |
26 (79) |
24 (75) |
26 (79) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 22 (72) |
22 (72) |
23 (73) |
25 (77) |
27 (81) |
28 (82) |
28 (82) |
28 (82) |
27 (81) |
26 (79) |
25 (77) |
23 (73) |
25 (78) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 44 (1.7) |
35 (1.4) |
29 (1.1) |
48 (1.9) |
204 (8.0) |
238 (9.4) |
291 (11.5) |
325 (12.8) |
304 (12.0) |
202 (8.0) |
141 (5.6) |
60 (2.4) |
1,921 (75.8) |
| Average rainy days | 11.1 | 9.1 | 8.3 | 9.2 | 15.7 | 17.1 | 19.4 | 21.9 | 21.1 | 18.4 | 16.3 | 12.4 | 180 |
| Source: Meteoblue [12] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1903 | 1,129 | — |
| 1918 | 1,054 | −0.46% |
| 1939 | 1,238 | +0.77% |
| 1948 | 1,492 | +2.10% |
| 1960 | 1,242 | −1.52% |
| 1970 | 1,475 | +1.73% |
| 1975 | 1,476 | +0.01% |
| 1980 | 1,388 | −1.22% |
| 1990 | 1,724 | +2.19% |
| 1995 | 1,556 | −1.90% |
| 2000 | 1,895 | +4.32% |
| 2007 | 1,539 | −2.83% |
| 2010 | 1,583 | +1.03% |
| 2015 | 1,555 | −0.34% |
| 2020 | 1,703 | +1.93% |
| 2024 | 1,745 | +0.59% |
| Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[13][14][11][15][16] | ||
In the 2024 census, Mahatao had a population of 1,745.[17] The population density was 140 inhabitants per square kilometre (360/sq mi).
Economy
Government
Local government
Mahatao is part of the lone congressional district of the province of Batanes. It 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
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Congressman | Ciriaco B. Gato Jr. |
| Mayor | Geronimo Carba |
| Vice-Mayor | Genes Galarion |
| Councilors | Noe Avelino Fabro |
| Macario Cabrito Jr. | |
| Unching Tabig | |
| Ethel Avanceña | |
| Joel Fabre | |
| Donald Cariaso | |
| Bhaybie Fagut | |
| Jig Balasbas | |
Defense
The Mahatao Forward Operating Base, a military facility operated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was established in the town in 2025.[27]
Education
The Schools Division of Batanes governs the town's public education system and the entire province as a whole. The division office is a field office of the DepEd in Cagayan Valley region.[28] The Mahatao Schools District Office governs the public and private elementary and secondary schools throughout the municipality.[29]
Primary and elementary schools
- Diura Barrio School
- Mahatao Central School
Secondary school
- Mahatao National High School
