Philippines
/ Batanes / Transportation
Land
Transportation
Within
Batan Island
In 1990, Batan
had 4 passenger jeepneys plying a regular route between Basco and
Itbud. There are also 2 buses, one owned by the Sto. Dominican College
primarily as a service for students and senior citizens. There are
several private cars and government vehicles, some bicycles and
motorcycles, and from the hills to the towns, carabao sleds.
From Basco
to Ivana there are daily jeepney trips, approximately at 5:00,
5:30, 12:00 (or after a flight arrives), and 17:00. The trip takes
about 30 minutes and costs 7 pesos. The 5:00 and 12:00
trips continue on to Uyugan. On Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
(market days in Basco), the 5:00 trip goes all the way to Itbud
in the southwest, and turns around for Basco at 6:00.
For the reverse
trip from Ivana to Basco, the jeepneys departs at around
6:00, 6:30, 12:30 and 17:00; from Uyugan at 6:00, 12:30 and
on Sunday, 16:30.
The Sto.
Dominican College bus leaves Basco for Ivana at 5:30, 14:30,
and 21:30, Monday to Saturday. Return trips are at 6:00,
15:30, and 22:00. On Sunday, there is a trip at 8:00 taking
the monsignor to the church in Itbud, leaving for Basco
again at 11:00.
There are
a few more trips between Basco and Mahatao (4 pesos), but many
people think 7km is not far and just walk the distance.
Flights
Philippine Airlines
has some five or six flights weekly to Basco from Manila with a
changing schedule. All these flights make a one-hour stopover
in either Tuguegarao in northeast Luzon or in Laoag
in the northwest.
Normal departure
from Manila is at about 9:00, arriving in Tuguegarao or Laoag an
hour later. After a stopover the flight departs for Basco and arrives
at about 12:00. The flight leaves for Manila, again via Tuguegarao
or Laoag, after about an hour in Basco.
Because flights
to Basco from the mainland are often postponed and even canceled
at the merest sign of dubious weather conditions, these
schedules are subject to drastic change without notice. When the
weather is fair, there are many unannounced special
flights to take care of the backlog of stranded passengers,
baggage and freight. Sometimes these flights carry only a dozen
passengers, with the remaining seats having baggage strapped
in. Inquiries should be made at the PAL offices about schedules
and passenger seating on these flights.
For those wishing
to combine Banaue and other attractions in northern Luzon
with a trip to Batanes, it is suggested that one leg of the flight
be directly between Manila and Basco, and the other only between
Basco and Tuguegarao or Laoag.
Ships
There is also
a Philippine navy boat (called LST - "Landing Ship Tank")
which annually during the summer season makes at least 2 trips,
sometimes 3, between Puro Point, La Union, and Basco. The ship is
mainly for heavy cargo and big equipment. There are no sleeping
facilities, only deck space. The one-way fare in 1989 was
75 pesos per person. Three meals are available for a nominal fee.
A previous LST,
just as it was leaving the port of Basco at the onset of the typhoon
season, was hit by a terrific wave and hurled against the concrete
and steel-reinforced pier. It finally crashed into the sandy
beach, embedding itself at the foot of the low cliffs edging the
bay. Two years later, at the beginning of 1990, efforts still continued
to repair and refloat the rusting vessel. Meanwhile, local children
use the ship's side ladders as makeshift diving boards. Unlike many
ports in the Philippines, the one at Basco is still clean and suitable
for swimming.
In addition to
the LST from La Union, there is also the Vanguard, a ship
that goes monthly (in theory) to Basco from Aparri in Cagayan province,
a reportedly 4-hour trip. The boat does not normally take passengers.
However, if one happens to be there when the boat is ready to depart,
one can always ask.
To Sabtang
Island
From Basco, one
may take the jeepney to Ivana where a wooden motorized boat supposedly
holding up to 25 passengers with cargo, makes the 30 minute
crossing to Sabtang, at 10 pesos per head. Sometimes a bigger boat
is used.
The first trip
leaves as early as 6:00, or when there are enough passengers. The
next boat leaves at about 11:00, or waits for the flight from Manila,
or, again, for enough passengers.
If the number
of passengers justifies it, the boat will continue to the other
side of Sabtang, to the barrio of Sumnanga. Except during
April and May, one can expect to get wet on these boat trips. Locals
often carry umbrellas, against the sea spray; and the absence of
piers means beach landings, which can be rough and wet.
To Itbayat
Island
Except during
the typhoon season, there are semi-regular boat trips from Basco
to Itbayat Island, several times a week. The trip takes about 4
hours at best, in a deep-hulled open ship made of wood. Apart
from April and May, when the sea is smooth, the trip can be hell
on swells for those prone to seasickness. The fare is 75 pesos one-way.
There are
no really good natural harbors in Batanes, and in Itbayat there
is only an indented rock shelf forming the base of the
island. The boats will not stay overnight if the sea is rough
or threatening as they would only be tossed at their moorings
and possibly damaged against the rock coast.
Sometimes during
April and May, the LST navy boat from La Union will continue
on to Itbayat from Basco.
To Babuyan
Islands
There is no regular
means of transportation between the island groups of Batan and Babuyan,
even though they are under the same administration. However, there
is said to be weekly boat transportation from Aparri on the north
Luzon coast to Calayan Island, and from there to Babuyan
Island. For more specific information, one should inquire
in Aparri at the municipal hall or at the port.
|
