Basco, Batanes

Basco
Municipality of Basco
From the top, left to right: Vayang Rolling Hills, Mount Iraya, Basco Cathedral, Basco Lighthouse, Valugan Beach, and Basco Airport
Map of Batanes with Basco highlighted
Interactive map of Basco
Basco
Location in the Philippines
Basco
Basco (Luzon)
Basco
Basco (Batanes)
Coordinates: 20°27′N 121°58′E / 20.45°N 121.97°E / 20.45; 121.97
CountryPhilippines
RegionCagayan Valley
ProvinceBatanes
District Lone district
Named afterJosé Basco y Vargas
Barangays6 (see Barangays)
Government
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorGerman A. Caccam
 • Vice MayorWill Lee H. Gabotero
 • RepresentativeCiriaco Gato Jr.
 • Municipal Council
Members
  • Franklin Z. Redondo
  • Jacklord N. Labrador
  • Carla A. Cordel
  • Paking Castillo
  • Eulalia Gordo
  • Teresita Vinalay
  • John Paul Castillo
  • Aren Joseph C. Veracruz
 • Electorate6,170 voters (2025)
Area
 • Total
49.46 km2 (19.10 sq mi)
Elevation
23.4 m (77 ft)
Highest elevation
1,013 m (3,323 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2024 census)
 • Total
9,647
 • Density195.0/km2 (505.2/sq mi)
 • Households
2,823
Economy
 • Income class5th municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
4.36
% (2021)
 • Revenue₱ 113.5 million (2022)
 • Assets₱ 277.9 million (2022)
 • Expenditure₱ 89.55 million (2022)
 • Liabilities₱ 56.83 million (2022)
Service provider
 • ElectricityBatanes Electric Cooperative (BATANELCO)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
3900
PSGC
IDD:area code+63 (0)78
Native languagesIvatan
Tagalog
Ilocano

Basco, officially the Municipality of Basco, is a municipality and capital of the province of Batanes, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 9,647 people.

The town is the most populous town in Batanes and is located on Batan Island, the second largest among the Batanes Islands, the northernmost group of islands of the Philippines. The town has an airport, Basco Airport, that serves domestic flights from Manila, Tuguegarao, and Itbayat. Despite its proximity to East Asian cities, there are no international flights.

The Basco Lighthouse is one of the landmarks. There is also the Basco Cathedral here.