Banton

Banton is a municipality occupying Banton Island and several smaller uninhabited islands in the Sibuyan Sea near Marinduque in Romblon. The area is organized into seventeen barangays and sustains itself through copra farming, fishing, and traditional handicrafts including raffia palm weaving.

Spanish colonial authorities established Banton in 1622 on Bacoco Hill as the first settlement in Romblon province, though it was later relocated to its present location. During the American colonial period, the municipality received the name Jones in honor of Congressman William Atkinson Jones.

The Guyangan Cave System holds preserved burial textiles, including the Banton Cloth, recognized as the earliest known warp ikat example in Southeast Asia. Local weavers continue practicing traditional techniques that remain part of daily life in the community.

The best way to explore the area is to spend time with local fishers and craftspeople while slowly discovering the small island community. The best time to visit is during the drier months when sea conditions are calmer and the island is easier to reach.

The municipality extends over several smaller uninhabited islands beyond the main settlement, making it a scattered community that is administered from the central island hub. Many visitors do not realize that the actual territory spans a much larger seascape than what first appears visible.