Skip to content

Province

Basilan

Basilan is a province in the Bangsamoro (BARMM) region of Mindanao, Philippines. Its population was 541,947 in the 2024 census, and it has 2 cities and 11 municipalities.

  • Population: 2024 Census
  • Places: PSGC 2Q 2026
  • Checked by Scene: October 8, 2026
  • Page updated: October 8, 2026
Colour byColours the map of Basilan by the figure chosen; the key beside it says what each colour means.
Akbar: 27,911 people, 548 per km², 4.64% a yearAl-Barka: 30,318 people, 650 per km², 6.05% a yearIsabela City: 151,297 people, 670 per km², 3.63% a yearLamitan City: 116,652 people, 421 per km², 3.73% a yearHadji Mohammad Ajul: 32,806 people, 569 per km², 7.12% a yearHadji Muhtamad: 30,122 people, 501 per km², 2.78% a yearLantawan: 48,777 people, 319 per km², 11.45% a yearMaluso: 66,817 people, 578 per km², 9.52% a yearSumisip: 55,778 people, 210 per km², 4.01% a yearTabuan-Lasa: 38,964 people, 881 per km², 7.05% a yearTipo-Tipo: 32,734 people, 695 per km², 6.14% a yearTuburan: 30,027 people, 711 per km², 4.75% a yearUngkaya Pukan: 31,041 people, 394 per km², 6.35% a year

People · 2024 Census

  • Under 20,000
  • 20,000 to 31,000
  • 31,000 to 45,000
  • 45,000 to 76,000
  • 76,000 and over

The same steps colour every map of cities and municipalities in the Atlas, so a colour means the same range everywhere.

Density · people per km², 2024

  • Under 140
  • 140 to 250
  • 250 to 390
  • 390 to 750
  • 750 and over

The same steps colour every map of cities and municipalities in the Atlas, so a colour means the same range everywhere.

Growth a year · 2020–2024

  • Fell by more than 1% a year
  • Fell, by up to 1% a year
  • Grew, by under 1% a year
  • Grew by 1 to 2% a year
  • Grew by 2% a year or more

Each place's yearly change between the 2020 and 2024 censuses, on the same steps as every map in the Atlas.

Borders from UN OCHA (PSA and NAMRIA), a guide and not the legal boundary[3]Open in OpenStreetMap

  • PeopleSources

    541,947

    people counted in the 2024 censusCensusA count of every person in the country, all on one day. The 2024 census counted people as they were on 1 July 2024.More in the glossary

    Up 84.8% from 2010 to 2024

  • Rank by peopleSources

    4th

    of the 6 provinces of Bangsamoro (BARMM) by population, 2024Rank and shareWorked out by Scene from the PSA's counts: where a place stands among the places listed with it, and how many of every 100 of its parent's people live in it.More in the glossary

    About 12 of every 100 people in Bangsamoro (BARMM) lived in Basilan in 2024 (11.92%)

  • Inside itSources

    13

    cities and municipalities

    255 barangays

  • LandSources

    1,239.38 km²

    of land, 2019 masterlistLand areaThe land inside the place's official boundary. A square kilometre is a square 1 km on each side, about the size of 140 football fields.Explained by Scene: Basilan's land would fill a square about 35.2 km on each side. That is only a way to picture its size: its real shape is on the map.More in the glossary

    Average density, 2024: 437 people per km²Population densityHow crowded a place is on average: its people divided by its land area. 1,000 people per square kilometre is 10 people per hectare, a square of 100 by 100 metres.Explained by Scene: About 4 people per hectare if everyone were spread evenly across the land. In fact people live closer together in towns and farther apart in the countryside.More in the glossary

  • HomesSources

    105,684

    households in 2024HouseholdA person living alone, or people who sleep in the same home and share their meals. A family may be one household or several.More in the glossary

    5.1 people in each, on average, in 2024

  • Town or countrySources

    22%

    About 22 of every 100 people lived in urban barangays in 2024Urban barangayThe PSA counts a barangay as urban when it has 5,000 people or more, or a big employer, or several businesses and public services close by. Every barangay in Metro Manila is urban.More in the glossary

PSGC codePSGC codeThe code the Philippine Statistics Authority gives every place, so each one is known exactly, even when two share a name.More in the glossary
1900700000[4]Formerly 150700000

People

Basilan had 541,947 people in the 2024 census, up 84.8% from 2010.
People at each census since 1960

Counts from 2000 on are on today’s borders; earlier counts are as the place was then, so the line may step where a border moved.

Basilan had the 4th most people of the 6 provinces of Bangsamoro (BARMM) in 2024[1]
  1. 1Lanao del Sur1,368,137
  2. 2Maguindanao del Norte1,124,811
  3. 3Maguindanao del Sur813,243
  4. 4Basilan541,947
  5. 5Tawi-Tawi482,645
  6. 6Special Geographic Area214,703
All 6 provinces of Bangsamoro (BARMM)
Of every 100 people in Basilan in 2024[1]

The PSA counts Basilan without Isabela City, which the PSA counts under Zamboanga Peninsula.[1, 4]

Age structure · 2024 Census[5]People living in households, by age and sex
  • About 39 of every 100 are children under 15 (39%)
  • About 58 of every 100 are of working age, 15 to 64 (58.1%)
  • About 3 of every 100 are 65 or older (2.9%)
MenWomen

The figures by age

People by age group, men and women
AgePeopleMenWomen
Under 567,64232,90634,736
5 - 975,24937,09438,155
10 - 1468,27233,82134,451
15 - 1957,32028,13929,181
20 - 2453,39125,99827,393
25 - 2944,87021,85623,014
30 - 3440,36419,86420,500
35 - 3930,81314,99415,819
40 - 4427,36913,49113,878
45 - 4920,96510,31610,649
50 - 5417,8979,0308,867
55 - 5912,4586,1226,336
60 - 649,3184,5534,765
65 - 696,9203,1163,804
70 - 744,9492,1592,790
75 - 792,0108781,132
80 - 841,139426713
85 and over803233570

Every figure, census by census

People, 2024 CensusCensusA count of every person in the country, all on one day. The 2024 census counted people as they were on 1 July 2024.More in the glossary
541,947[1, 2]
Households, 2024HouseholdA person living alone, or people who sleep in the same home and share their meals. A family may be one household or several.More in the glossary
105,684[1, 2]
People in each household, 2024
5.1 on average[1, 2]
Share of Bangsamoro (BARMM), 2024Rank and shareWorked out by Scene from the PSA's counts: where a place stands among the places listed with it, and how many of every 100 of its parent's people live in it.More in the glossary
11.92%[1]
In urban barangays, 2024Urban barangayThe PSA counts a barangay as urban when it has 5,000 people or more, or a big employer, or several businesses and public services close by. Every barangay in Metro Manila is urban.More in the glossary
22% (119,406 people)[6]
Men and women, 2024
264,996 men, 276,753 women[5]People living in households
Population at each census, with its source
CensusPopulationGrowth since the census beforeHouseholdsPeople per household
2024as of July 1, 2024541,947[1, 2]5.93% a year105,6845.1
2020as of May 1, 2020426,207[1]4.45% a year——
2015as of August 1, 2015346,579[1]3.23% a year——
2010as of May 1, 2010293,322[1]———
2007as of August 1, 2007; as it was then408,520[47]6.44% a year——
2000as of May 1, 2000; on today’s borders259,796[47, 48]2.93% a year——
1995as of September 1, 1995; as it was then227,008[47]4.52% a year——
1990as of May 1, 1990; as it was then179,230[47]1.69% a year——
1980as of May 1, 1980; as it was then151,516[47]4.26% a year——
1975as of May 1, 1975; as it was then122,935[47]2.45% a year——
1970as of May 6, 1970; as it was then108,951[47]−1.19% a year——
1960as of February 15, 1960; as it was then123,103[47]———

Cities and municipalities

Basilan is made up of 11 municipalities and 2 cities, with 255 barangays in all.
Cities and municipalities of Basilan. Each column heading sorts the table.
Kind[1, 7]Share (2024)
AkbarMunicipality27,9115.15%4.64% a year50.89 km²
Al-BarkaMunicipality30,3185.59%6.05% a year46.61 km²
Isabela CityComponent city151,297counted on its own3.63% a year225.82 km²
Lamitan CityComponent city116,65221.52%3.73% a year276.97 km²
Hadji Mohammad AjulMunicipality32,8066.05%7.12% a year57.65 km²
Hadji MuhtamadMunicipality30,1225.56%2.78% a year60.09 km²
LantawanMunicipality48,7779%11.45% a year153.14 km²
MalusoMunicipality66,81712.33%9.52% a year115.62 km²
SumisipMunicipality55,77810.29%4.01% a year266.05 km²
Tabuan-LasaMunicipality38,9647.19%7.05% a year44.22 km²
Tipo-TipoMunicipality32,7346.04%6.14% a year47.07 km²
TuburanMunicipality30,0275.54%4.75% a year42.23 km²
Ungkaya PukanMunicipality31,0415.73%6.35% a year78.84 km²

Land & Environment

Basilan covers 1,239.38 km² of land, 437 people for every km² in 2024. Its land rises to 1,000 m above the sea and it has 45.3 km of coast.
Land areaLand areaThe land inside the place's official boundary. A square kilometre is a square 1 km on each side, about the size of 140 football fields.More in the glossary
1,239.38 km²[7]As listed in the 2019 Masterlist of Land Areas (LMB, DENR)
Average density, 2024Population densityHow crowded a place is on average: its people divided by its land area. 1,000 people per square kilometre is 10 people per hectare, a square of 100 by 100 metres.More in the glossary
437 people per km²[7]
Coordinates
6.57006° N, 122.03909° E[3]The point inside its border farthest from every edge, so it always falls within the place.
Height above the sea[43]
Lowest
Sea level
Average
195 m
Highest
1,000 m

Heights from the Copernicus DEM, a 30 m model of the surface: it reads the tops of trees and roofs, not the bare ground, over the land inside the border, the sea left out. Produced using Copernicus WorldDEM-30 © DLR e.V. 2010-2014 and © Airbus Defence and Space GmbH 2014-2018 provided under COPERNICUS by the European Union and ESA; all rights reserved.

Water, coast and peaks

45.3 km of coastline[44]

Rivers[44]

  1. Kumalarang River31.7 of 35.2 km
  2. Balaktasan River12.9 of 18.2 km
  3. Aguada River9.3 km
  4. Tabiawan River8.8 of 9.2 km
  5. Kumalarang3.6 of 6.5 km
  6. Palasanan River2.0 km
  7. Maligue River1.9 km
  8. Basilan River1.0 km

The longest inside it: 9 in all.

Peaks[44]

  1. Mount Mohaji631 m

Named rivers, lakes and peaks as OpenStreetMap mapped them on 30 September 2026, and the coast within 150 m of the border. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, under the Open Database License.

Climate

Climate typeClimate typePAGASA sorts the country's climate into four types by when the rain falls. Type I has a dry season from November to April and a wet one for the rest of the year; Type II has no dry season, with the most rain from December to February; Type III has a short dry season; Type IV has rain spread through the year.More in the glossary

Type IV[45]

Rain spread fairly evenly through the year, with no dry season.

Covers about 91 of every 100 parts of its land. Read by Scene off PAGASA's climate map, so approximate: the type that covers most of the place's land.

At Zamboanga, the nearest PAGASA station, 39 km away[46]Averages for 1991 to 2020: 1,322 mm of rain on 113 days a year; 28.4 °C on average

Rain each month Average temperature

The figures by month

Climate at Zamboanga, 1991 to 2020, by month
MonthRainRainy daysAverageHighLow
January69 mm728.0 °C32.3 °C23.6 °C
February55 mm628.2 °C32.7 °C23.7 °C
March68 mm728.5 °C33.1 °C24.0 °C
April77 mm728.9 °C33.2 °C24.5 °C
May90 mm928.9 °C33.0 °C24.8 °C
June140 mm1228.5 °C32.3 °C24.6 °C
July150 mm1228.2 °C32.1 °C24.4 °C
August134 mm1128.4 °C32.3 °C24.4 °C
September160 mm1128.4 °C32.5 °C24.3 °C
October197 mm1328.2 °C32.3 °C24.1 °C
November105 mm1028.4 °C32.8 °C24.0 °C
December76 mm828.3 °C32.6 °C23.9 °C
The year1,322 mm11328.4 °C32.6 °C24.2 °C

A station's figures describe the place around it only roughly: inland and in the hills it may be cooler and wetter. The station stands 7 m above the sea.

Life & Economy

Basilan's economy made ₱32.5 billion of goods and services in 2025, ₱67,605 for each person. About 46 of every 100 people lived below the poverty line in 2023.
Economy, 2025Gross domestic productThe value of all the goods and services made in a place in a year: the size of its economy. The PSA measures it for every region, province and highly urbanized city. Counted at 2018 prices, it leaves out the rise in prices, so one year can be set beside another.More in the glossary
₱32.5 billion[30]Its gross domestic product at current prices; ₱24.2 billion at 2018 prices. It leaves out Isabela City, which the PSA counts apart.
Growth, 2024–2025
2.5%[31]How much more it made than the year before, at 2018 prices.
For each person, 2025
₱67,605[32]Its economy divided by its projected population, at current prices, as the PSA works it out.
Poverty, 2023Poverty incidenceHow many of every 100 people live in families whose income is below the poverty line: what a person needs in a year for food and other basic needs, as the PSA sets it for each province. It is an estimate, from a survey or, for a town, a statistical model, so the PSA gives a range it is likely to fall in.More in the glossary
46.2% of people[33]Below the poverty line, by the PSA's survey.
Income classIncome classThe Department of Finance sorts provinces, cities and municipalities into classes by their average yearly income over recent years: 1st class has the most. It measures the local government's income, not how well off its people are.More in the glossary
1st class[4]
About 46 of every 100 people in Basilan lived below the poverty line in 2023 (46.2%)[33]

The PSA's survey puts it between 41.2% and 51.2%, with 95% confidence. The poverty line was ₱31,577 a person for the year.

Public places

  • 83government offices
  • 103hospitals and health centres
  • 273schools
  • 16places of worship
  • 8markets
  • 9stations and terminals
  • 5parks
  • 2beaches
  • 2monuments and memorials

Counted from OpenStreetMap[3, 8]. Each town's page lists its own; this page lists the stations, parks, beaches and monuments.

Where a kind has more than 8, this page shows 6: first those with “Basilan” in their name, then one in each of its most populous cities and municipalities.

Stations and terminals9

3 more stations and terminals are listed on the pages of the cities and municipalities they stand in. See the 13 cities and municipalities of Basilan

Parks5

Beaches2

Monuments and memorials2

As OpenStreetMap maps them on September 30, 2026. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, under the Open Database License.

Government & Leaders

A governor leads Basilan. Its local laws, called ordinances, are passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (the provincial board), led by the vice governor. The governor, the vice governor and the board's elected members serve three-year terms, and none may serve more than three in a row.[27, 28]

Capital
Lamitan City[4]
Legislative districtLegislative districtThe area that elects one member of the House of Representatives. A big province or city may have several.More in the glossary
Lone district of Basilan[29]

Leaders

The governor and vice governor elected at each election since 2001, as COMELEC's lists of the elected name them, and those in office now, as the DILG's directory lists them.

  1. 2025–2028In office as of February 2026

    Governor
    Mujiv Sabbihi Hataman[34]
    Vice governor
    Hadjiman Sabbihi Hataman[34]

  2. 2022–2025

    Governor
    Hadjiman Sabbihi Hataman-Salliman[35]
    Vice governor
    Yusop Tanduh Alano[35]

  3. 2019–2022

    Governor
    Hadjiman Sabbihi Salliman[36]
    Vice governor
    Yusop Tanduh Alano[36]

  4. 2016–2019

    Governor
    Hadjiman Sabbihi Salliman[37]
    Vice governor
    Yusop Tanduh Alano[37]

  5. 2013–2016

    Governor
    Jum Jainuddin Akbar[38]
    Vice governor
    Keemhar Jay Reynon Sakkalahul[38]

  6. 2010–2013

    Governor
    Jum Jainuddin Akbar[39]
    Vice governor
    Al Rasheed A Matunang Sakkalahul[39]

  7. 2007–2010

    Governor
    Jum Jainuddin Akbar[40]
    Vice governor
    Al-Rasheed Ahmad Matunang Sakkalahul[40]

  8. 2004–2007

    Governor
    Akbar Muhtamad Wahab[41]
    Vice governor
    Al-Rasheed Ahmad Matunang Sakkalahul[41]

  9. 2001–2004

    Governor
    Wahab M. Akbar[42]
    Vice governor
    Lukman A. Ampao[42]
Governors and vice governors of Basilan, by term
TermGovernorVice governor
2025–2028In office as of February 2026Mujiv Sabbihi Hataman[34]Hadjiman Sabbihi Hataman[34]
2022–2025Hadjiman Sabbihi Hataman-Salliman[35]Yusop Tanduh Alano[35]
2019–2022Hadjiman Sabbihi Salliman[36]Yusop Tanduh Alano[36]
2016–2019Hadjiman Sabbihi Salliman[37]Yusop Tanduh Alano[37]
2013–2016Jum Jainuddin Akbar[38]Keemhar Jay Reynon Sakkalahul[38]
2010–2013Jum Jainuddin Akbar[39]Al Rasheed A Matunang Sakkalahul[39]
2007–2010Jum Jainuddin Akbar[40]Al-Rasheed Ahmad Matunang Sakkalahul[40]
2004–2007Akbar Muhtamad Wahab[41]Al-Rasheed Ahmad Matunang Sakkalahul[41]
2001–2004Wahab M. Akbar[42]Lukman A. Ampao[42]

History & Identity

Old photographs of Basilan

Each with the archive that holds it, its date and its rights, on its own page.

In the Archive

Basilan's fiesta and days

Everything listed for Basilan in Now

Created
Created by Presidential Decree No. 356, 27 December 1973, which made the island of Basilan, outside the City of Basilan, a province with Isabela as its capital; Presidential Decree No. 840 of 11 December 1975 abolished the city and divided the province into seven towns[9, 10]

How it got its name

The island was known as Tagima: the Magellan–Elcano expedition passed it in October 1521, on its way from Sulu in search of the route to the Moluccas.[11]

Local traditionBy the province's account it was later called Basih Balan, after the legendary weapon of magnetic iron, basih and balan, borne by the warriors of Sultan Kudarat who drove off a Spanish attack from Zamboanga; early historians shortened the name to Basilan.[12, 13]

Local traditionOthers, the province's older site adds, trace the name to Bantilan, a datu from Sulu who set up a short-lived sultanate on the island, or to basi, iron, and lan, trail.[13]

Its story

Under American rule the island belonged to the Zamboanga District of the Moro Province from 1903 and was joined to the town of Zamboanga. In 1936 Commonwealth Act No. 39 made it part of the new City of Zamboanga.[14, 15, 16]

Republic Act No. 288 of 16 June 1948 separated the island from Zamboanga City as the City of Basilan. Its mayors were appointed until 1955, when Leroy S. Brown became the first elected one; he served until the city was abolished at the end of 1975.[17, 18]

Presidential Decree No. 356 of 27 December 1973 made the island and its neighbours a province, with Isabela as its capital, leaving only Isabela's town proper as the City of Basilan. On 11 December 1975 the city was abolished and the province divided into seven towns.[9, 10, 19]

The new province was first run by military governors, Colonel Tomas G. Nanquil Jr. and then Rear Admiral Romulo M. Espaldon. Its first civilian governor, Asan G. Camlian, appointed on 11 December 1975, was elected in 1980 and served until 1986.[18]

In the plebiscite held under Republic Act No. 9054 of 2001 the province joined the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, but Isabela, made a city that year, did not. On 21 January 2019 Basilan voted 147,598 to 6,486 for the Bangsamoro Organic Law, while Isabela City voted against joining, 22,441 to 19,032, and stayed out.[12, 20, 21, 22]

The province keeps 7 March as its founding anniversary and counts it from 1974: a proclamation called it the charter anniversary in 1992, the 49th fell in 2023, and a law of 2025 made the day Araw ng Basilan. Its creating decree is dated 27 December 1973.[9, 23, 24, 25]Calculated by Scene: 2023 − 49 = 1974 (Basilan marked its 49th founding anniversary on 7 March 2023).

Timeline

  1. October 1521

    The Magellan–Elcano expedition passes the island of Tagima.[11]

  2. 1 June 1903

    Act No. 787 places Basilan in the Zamboanga District of the Moro Province.[14]

  3. 12 October 1936

    Commonwealth Act No. 39 makes Basilan part of the City of Zamboanga.[16]

  4. 16 June 1948

    Republic Act No. 288 creates the City of Basilan.[17]

  5. 27 December 1973

    Presidential Decree No. 356 creates the Province of Basilan, with Isabela as its capital.[9]

  6. 2 December 1974

    Presidential Decree No. 593 divides the province into ten towns.[19]

  7. 11 December 1975

    Presidential Decree No. 840 abolishes the City of Basilan and makes seven towns; Asan G. Camlian is appointed governor.[10, 18]

  8. 5 March 2001

    Republic Act No. 9023 makes Isabela a city.[21]

  9. 31 March 2001

    Republic Act No. 9054 provides for the plebiscite on joining the expanded autonomous region.[20]

  10. 15 March 2007

    Republic Act No. 9393 makes Lamitan a city.[26]

  11. 21 January 2019

    Basilan votes for the Bangsamoro Organic Law; Isabela City votes to stay out.[22]

  12. 27 March 2025

    Republic Act No. 12143 makes 7 March Araw ng Basilan.[25]

Nearby

Basilan shares no land border with another province. Nearest across the water are Sulu, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay.

How it compares

Basilan beside Bangsamoro (BARMM), and where it stands among the provinces of Bangsamoro (BARMM).

Basilan beside Bangsamoro (BARMM)
FigureBasilanBangsamoro (BARMM)Rank among the provinces of Bangsamoro (BARMM)
People, 2024CensusA count of every person in the country, all on one day. The 2024 census counted people as they were on 1 July 2024.More in the glossary541,947[1, 2]4,545,4864th of 6
Growth a year, 2020–2024Growth a yearHow fast the number of people changed each year between two censuses. 1% a year means about 1 more person for every 100 people, each year.More in the glossary5.93% a year[1, 2]faster3.46% a year1st of 6
People per km², 2024Population densityHow crowded a place is on average: its people divided by its land area. 1,000 people per square kilometre is 10 people per hectare, a square of 100 by 100 metres.More in the glossary437[7]more crowded3141st of 6
Land areaLand areaThe land inside the place's official boundary. A square kilometre is a square 1 km on each side, about the size of 140 football fields.More in the glossary1,239.38 km²[7]14,478.08 km²5th of 6
People in each household, 2024HouseholdA person living alone, or people who sleep in the same home and share their meals. A family may be one household or several.More in the glossary5.1[1, 2]higher4.9not ranked
In urban barangays, 2024Urban barangayThe PSA counts a barangay as urban when it has 5,000 people or more, or a big employer, or several businesses and public services close by. Every barangay in Metro Manila is urban.More in the glossary22%[6]lower29.1%not ranked

The nearest provinces across the water[3]

  1. SuluZamboanga Peninsula11.5 km southwest
  2. Zamboanga del SurZamboanga Peninsula11.8 km northeast
  3. Zamboanga del NorteZamboanga Peninsula42.9 km northeast
  4. Zamboanga SibugayZamboanga Peninsula74.1 km northeast

Measured between the two borders where they come closest, on the Earth's surface, across the water. Not a boat or ferry route.

Sources

Page updated October 8, 2026. Sources checked by Scene October 8, 2026.
  1. 1.Philippine Statistics Authority. Population and Annual Population Growth Rate of the Philippines and its Regions, Provinces, and Highly Urbanized Cities Based on the 2010, 2015, 2020 and 2024 Population Census (OpenSTAT table 0211A6DAPG0). Published August 7, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  2. 2.Philippine Statistics Authority. Total Population, Household Population, and Number of Households by Province, City, Municipality, and Barangay as of 01 July 2024 : Bangsamoro Autonomous Region In Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) (OpenSTAT table 0141A6DTHP3). Published August 7, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  3. 3.UN OCHA, from the PSA and NAMRIA. Philippines: Subnational Administrative Boundaries (COD-AB), barangay layer. Published February 13, 2025. Read by Scene September 25, 2026. CC BY-IGO 3.0. Open the source
  4. 4.Philippine Statistics Authority. Philippine Standard Geographic Code (PSGC), 2nd Quarter 2026: Publication Datafile. Published June 30, 2026. Read by Scene September 24, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  5. 5.Philippine Statistics Authority. Household Population by Age-Group Region, Province, and Highly Urbanized City: Philippines, 2024 Census of Population (OpenSTAT table 0201A6DPAG0). Published August 7, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  6. 6.Philippine Statistics Authority. Total Population and Urban Population by Urban Classification and Region, Province, Highly Urbanized City, City/Municipality and Barangay: Philippines, 2024 (OpenSTAT table 0231A6DPUP0). Published August 7, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  7. 7.Philippine Statistics Authority, from the Land Management Bureau (DENR). Population, Land Area, Population Density, and Percent Change in Population Density by Region, Province/Highly Urbanized City, and City/Municipality: 2015, 2020, and 2024 (OpenSTAT table 0221A6DLPD0). Published August 7, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  8. 8.OpenStreetMap contributors. Named public places in OpenStreetMap: schools, hospitals and health centres, places of worship, government offices, markets, stations, parks, beaches and monuments, from Geofabrik's extract of the Philippines. Published September 30, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. ODbL 1.0. Open the source
  9. 9.Office of the President of the Philippines (Ferdinand E. Marcos). Presidential Decree No. 356: Creating the Province of Basilan. Published December 27, 1973. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  10. 10.Office of the President of the Philippines (Ferdinand E. Marcos). Presidential Decree No. 840: Reorganizing the Political Subdivision of the Province of Basilan, Converting Basilan City into the Municipality of Isabela, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes. Published December 11, 1975. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  11. 11.National Historical Commission of the Philippines (National Registry of Historic Sites and Structures). Historical marker: Tagima (Basilan), Ruta ng Ekspedisyong Magallanes-Elcano sa Pilipinas. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  12. 12.Provincial Government of Basilan. History (as archived by the Internet Archive on 15 June 2022). Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  13. 13.Provincial Government of Basilan. The name of Basilan (2003 site, as archived by the Internet Archive on 21 June 2003). Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  14. 14.Philippine Commission. Act No. 787: An Act Providing for the Organization and Government of the Moro Province. Published June 1, 1903. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  15. 15.Philippine Commission. Act No. 1062: An Act Authorizing the Appointment of a Justice of the Peace and Auxiliary Justice of the Peace for the Island of Basilan, Notwithstanding Said Island Has Been Annexed to the Municipality of Zamboanga, in the Moro Province. Published February 24, 1904. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  16. 16.National Assembly of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. Commonwealth Act No. 39: An Act Creating the City of Zamboanga. Published October 12, 1936. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  17. 17.Congress of the Philippines. Republic Act No. 288: An Act Creating the City of Basilan. Published June 16, 1948. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  18. 18.Provincial Government of Basilan. The Creation of Basilan City and the Conversion of Basilan into a Province (2003 site, as archived by the Internet Archive on 21 June 2003). Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  19. 19.Office of the President of the Philippines (Ferdinand E. Marcos). Presidential Decree No. 593: Amending Presidential Decree No. 356 Dated December 27, 1973, Creating the Province of Basilan. Published December 2, 1974. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  20. 20.Congress of the Philippines. Republic Act No. 9054: An Act to Strengthen and Expand the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 6734, Entitled "An Act Providing for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao," as Amended. Published March 31, 2001. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  21. 21.Congress of the Philippines. Republic Act No. 9023: An Act Converting the Municipality of Isabela, Province of Basilan into a Component City to Be Known as the City of Isabela. Published March 5, 2001. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  22. 22.Supreme Court of the Philippines (text from the Supreme Court E-Library). G.R. No. 242255, Province of Sulu v. Medialdea and others: decision of the Court en banc on the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Published September 9, 2024. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  23. 23.Office of the President of the Philippines. Proclamation No. 858, s. 1992: Declaring Saturday, March 7, 1992, as a Special Day in the Province of Basilan. Published February 12, 1992. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  24. 24.Office of the President of the Philippines. Proclamation No. 173, s. 2023: Declaring Tuesday, 07 March 2023, a Special (Non-Working) Day in the Province of Basilan. Published March 1, 2023. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  25. 25.Congress of the Philippines. Republic Act No. 12143: An Act Declaring March 7 of Every Year a Special Non-working Holiday in the Province of Basilan, in Commemoration of Its Foundation Anniversary to Be Known as “Araw ng Basilan”, and in Recognition of the “Tennun Pakaradjaan” as the Official Festival of the Province of Basilan. Published March 27, 2025. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  26. 26.Congress of the Philippines. Republic Act No. 9393: An Act Converting the Municipality of Lamitan in the Province of Basilan into a Component City to Be Known as the City of Lamitan. Published March 15, 2007. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  27. 27.Congress of the Philippines. Republic Act No. 7160: the Local Government Code of 1991. Published October 10, 1991. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  28. 28.1986 Constitutional Commission. The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. Published February 2, 1987. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  29. 29.1986 Constitutional Commission (text from the Chan Robles Virtual Law Library). Ordinance appended to the 1987 Constitution, apportioning the seats of the House of Representatives. Published February 2, 1987. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  30. 30.Philippine Statistics Authority. Gross Domestic Product by Province and HUC (OpenSTAT table 0012A5FPPA0). Published August 28, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  31. 31.Philippine Statistics Authority. Gross Domestic Product by Province and HUC, Growth Rates (OpenSTAT table 0032A5FPPA2). Published August 28, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  32. 32.Philippine Statistics Authority. Per Capita Gross Domestic Product by Province and HUC (OpenSTAT table 0092A5FPPA8). Published August 28, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  33. 33.Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Table 2a. Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold and Poverty Incidence Among Population with Measures of Precision, by Region, Province and Highly Urbanized Cities: 2018, 2021, and 2023 (OpenSTAT table 0041F3DF02A). Published August 15, 2024. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  34. 34.Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Directory of LGU Elective Officials for Term 2025-2028 as of February 2026 (its sheet: Consolidated List of Officials for Election Terms (2025-2028)), released through the FOI portal. Published February 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. A work of the Government of the Philippines: RA 8293, Section 176 (no copyright subsists in it; exploiting it for profit needs the agency's prior approval). Open the source
  35. 35.Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Records and Statistics Division, ERSD. List of Elected Provincial Candidates, May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections. Published December 23, 2025. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Public domain: comelec.gov.ph says "All content is in the public domain unless otherwise stated." Each list carries COMELEC's data privacy notice (RA 10173).. Open the source
  36. 36.Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Records and Statistics Division, ERSD. List of Elected Provincial Candidates, May 13, 2019 National and Local Elections. Published December 23, 2025. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Public domain: comelec.gov.ph says "All content is in the public domain unless otherwise stated." Each list carries COMELEC's data privacy notice (RA 10173).. Open the source
  37. 37.Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Records and Statistics Division, ERSD. List of Elected Provincial Candidates, May 9, 2016 National and Local Elections. Published January 12, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Public domain: comelec.gov.ph says "All content is in the public domain unless otherwise stated." Each list carries COMELEC's data privacy notice (RA 10173).. Open the source
  38. 38.Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Records and Statistics Division, ERSD. List of Elected Provincial Candidates, May 13, 2013 National and Local Elections. Published January 12, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Public domain: comelec.gov.ph says "All content is in the public domain unless otherwise stated." Each list carries COMELEC's data privacy notice (RA 10173).. Open the source
  39. 39.Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Records and Statistics Division, ERSD. List of Elected Provincial Candidates, May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections. Published January 10, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Public domain: comelec.gov.ph says "All content is in the public domain unless otherwise stated." Each list carries COMELEC's data privacy notice (RA 10173).. Open the source
  40. 40.Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Records and Statistics Division, ERSD. List of Elected Provincial Candidates, May 14, 2007 National and Local Elections. Published January 14, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Public domain: comelec.gov.ph says "All content is in the public domain unless otherwise stated." Each list carries COMELEC's data privacy notice (RA 10173).. Open the source
  41. 41.Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Records and Statistics Division, ERSD. List of Elected Provincial Candidates, May 10, 2004 National and Local Elections. Published January 8, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Public domain: comelec.gov.ph says "All content is in the public domain unless otherwise stated." Each list carries COMELEC's data privacy notice (RA 10173).. Open the source
  42. 42.Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Records and Statistics Division, ERSD. List of Elected Provincial Candidates, May 14, 2001 National and Local Elections (its pages are headed "LIST OF ELECTED MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES"). Published January 8, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Public domain: comelec.gov.ph says "All content is in the public domain unless otherwise stated." Each list carries COMELEC's data privacy notice (RA 10173).. Open the source
  43. 43.European Union and the European Space Agency (Copernicus), from DLR and Airbus Defence and Space (WorldDEM). Copernicus DEM GLO-30: global digital surface model at 30 m, one-degree tiles (2021 release). Published 2021. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Copernicus DEM GLO-30 licence: free, any use including commercial, with the Copernicus notice. Open the source
  44. 44.OpenStreetMap contributors, extract by Geofabrik. Named rivers, lakes, reservoirs, peaks and the coastline of the Philippines in OpenStreetMap (Geofabrik extract, cut by osmium). Published September 30, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. ODbL 1.0. Open the source
  45. 45.Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Climatology and Agrometeorology Division. Climate Map of the Philippines (1951-2010), Modified Coronas Climate Classification. Published August 2014. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. A work of the Government of the Philippines: no copyright (RA 8293 s.176.1); PAGASA's approval is needed to use it for profit. Open the source
  46. 46.Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Climatology and Agrometeorology Division. Climatological Normals, 1991-2020, by synoptic station (one PDF each). Published January 2022. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. A work of the Government of the Philippines: no copyright (RA 8293 s.176.1); PAGASA's approval is needed to use it for profit. Open the source
  47. 47.Philippine Statistics Authority. 2015 Census of Population, Statistical Tables, Table 1: Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by City/Municipality, 1960-2015 (one workbook for each province, highly urbanized city and region). Published 2017. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  48. 48.Philippine Statistics Authority. 2020 Census of Population and Housing: Table A (Population and Annual Growth Rate for the Philippines and its Regions, Provinces and Highly Urbanized Cities) and Table B (Population and Annual Growth Rates by Province, City and Municipality, by Region). Published July 2021. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source

Scene adds what the sources do not print themselves: growth rates, shares, barangay areas and densities, coordinates, neighbours and distances, each computed from the figures and borders above. How each is made.

See something wrong on this page? Write to hello@scene.ph with the page address. We check every report against the source.

Cite this page

Scene.ph. “Basilan.” Scene Atlas. Updated October 8, 2026. https://scene.ph/atlas/basilan