Ivana, officially the Municipality of Ivana (Ilocano: Ili ti Ivana;), is a 6th class municipality in the province of Batanes, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 1,407 people, making it the third least populated town in the country.

History

Ivana is one of the three major pueblos of Batanes in the first half of the 19th century, alongside Basco and Marigatao. A mission was opened in the late 18th century with evangelization described as successful mainly due to the baptism of seven of the nine principals of Ivana. In 1789, Joaquin del Castillo became the third governor of Batanes and tried to strengthen his authority in the province. An uprising ensued led by a certain Chivunao, who persuaded his chiefs to rebel against the government. This culminated in a battle in Itbud where the Spaniards' cannons forced the rebels to surrender.

Geography

Ivana is located at °N, °W. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 16.54 km2 constituting 7.55% of the 219.01 km2 total area of Batanes.

Barangays

Ivana is politically subdivided into 4 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios. San Vicente was elevated into a barrio in 1955.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2020 census, Ivana had a population of 1,407. The population density was undefined PD/km2.

Economy

Government

Local government

Ivana, 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 office governs the public and private elementary and public and private high schools throughout the municipality.