Batan, Batanes. Batan is one of the three islands that comprise Batanes, the smallest, northernmost and most sparsely populated province of the Philippines. This island has a lush jungle that surrounds the dormant Iriya volcano, 3300 ft high. Basco, the provicial capital, is located in Batan. It has a Mediterranean air, narrow streets and alleyways, an 18th century church and houses adorned with white balconies.