Communication and Electricity

Communication:


IFDCI/Piltel, Basco (photo:BatanesOnline.com)

PLDT has opened public calling offices (PCO) in Batanes. These calling stations are currently managed by Ivatan Foundation for Development Communication, Inc.

If you want to call Batanes you can dial any of these three numbers +00632-533-3456, +00632-533-3454 or +00632-533-3452 to make an appointment call to your counterpart in Batanes. If you need to talk with somebody in Batanes, you normally give then one day to inform your counterpart. The PCO is open 8:30am to 4:00pm Mondays to Fridays and 8:30am to 9:30pm during Saturdays and Sundays.

BayanTel has also opened its own PCOs in Batanes.

If you are traveling to Batanes, don't bring your cellular phones or pagers. It does not work in Batanes, its too far from the main land to have an access and there is no cell sites in Batanes to support it. And that could be a good news for you, you won't be bothered by an annoying office call during your vacation in Batanes.

Internet Access:

As of early February 2002 you can surf the internet and send emails from the BatanesConnect internet cafe in Basco along Abad street. Costs P50 (pesos) per hour. A project of the Ivatan Foundation for Development Communication, Inc.(IFDCI). Expansion is currently underway to provide internet access to other towns within Batanes.


Electricity:

Electricity is supplied by Batanes Electric Cooperative (Batanelco) to the Island of Batan 18 hours daily (6 am to 12 midnight). Plans are going on to provide 24 hour electricity.

Visitors from abroad with electronic gadgets should take note that electricity in Batanes, just like the whole Philippines is 220VAC, 60Hz.