# Mahatao

Mahatao, officially the Municipality of Mahatao (Ivatan: Kavahayan nu Mahatao; Ilocano: Ili ti Mahatao; Tagalog: Bayan ng Mahatao), is a municipality in the province of Batanes, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 1,703 people.

## Geography

Mahatao is located at 20°25′N 121°57′E﻿ / ﻿20.42°N 121.95°E﻿ / 20.42; 121.95.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 12.90 square kilometres (4.98 sq mi)  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. 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.
| PSGC | Barangay | Population | Population | Population | ±% p.a. | ±% p.a. |
| | | 2020 | 2020 | 2010 | | |
| 020904001 | Hañib | 21.4% | 365 | 372 | ▾ | −0.19% |
| 020904002 | Kaumbakan | 25.0% | 425 | 483 | ▾ | −1.27% |
| 020904003 | Panatayan | 26.4% | 449 | 416 | ▴ | 0.77% |
| 020904004 | Uvoy (Poblacion) | 18.6% | 316 | 312 | ▴ | 0.13% |
| | Total | Total | 1,703 | 1,583 | ▴ | 0.73% |

### 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 ||||||||||||||

## Demographics

In the 2020 census, Mahatao had a population of 1,703. The population density was 130 inhabitants per square kilometre (340/sq mi).

## Economy

Poverty incidence of Mahatao
* 5
* 10
* 15
* 20
* 25
* 30
* 2000 19.85
* 2003 18.40
* 2006 13.50
* 2009 8.88
* 2012 21.44
* 2015 17.96
* 2018 17.83
* 2021 7.84
* Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

## 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

Members of the Municipal Council (2019–2022) :
| Position | Name |
| Congressman | Ciriaco B. Gato Jr. |
| Mayor | Pedro F. Poncio |
| Vice-Mayor | Noe Avelino F. Fabro |
| Councilors | William A. Agsunod |
| Councilors | Thomas Tabuso |
| Councilors | Emma F. Garcia |
| Councilors | Benedicta Rachel C. Galana |
| Councilors | Gil B. Gaa |
| Councilors | Margarita G. Galindez |
| Councilors | Homer F. Avanceña |
| Councilors | Celestino C. Raterta |

## 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 secondary schools throughout the municipality and the province as a whole.