Tan-ag is the centermost barrio of Banton and has the highest elevation among the barangays as the islands highest peak Mt. Amponggo is located here. Such high elevation brings cool climate here the whole year thus is called the little Baguio of Banton.

It’s name was derived from the “Tan-ag” tree which were plentiful in this place long ago. Having no seashore to derive fish and other marine food, the Tan-agnons compensate their misfortune through farming as the place is very suited for root crops and vegetables. A sufficient portion of the root crops and vegetables produce for consumption of the neighboring barrios and even the Poblacion come from Tan-ag. Fish are being sold here by vendors from Sibay and Tungonan because such commodity command a high price here than in their place of origin.

Tan-ag is composed of the sitios of Tipo, Mayabang, Masiboy, Tan-ag proper, Mangigo Ansangca, Matumac, Teli, Cansamira, Oling, Oyo and Tinago.  

Tan-ag offers the ultimate challenge for mountaineers in Mt. Amponggo. The third highest peak in the province, this formidable mountain has captivated a lot of trailblazers from other barangays. Its vast tropical forest boasts of a wide variety of orchids and rattan.

Like other barangays, Sibay is a sibling of one of the island’s orginal barrios, Libtong officially became a barangay in 1912.

Stories had it that Sibay was formerly a forested area and the land near the seashore had abundant timber for logging. The first settlers of the place find it very difficult to cut down the trees as they were so big and tall. To prevent accident the woodcutters would hang a “Sibay” (hammock) to sit on while they cut down the trees. From that time on they called their barrio Sibay.

The barangay has 10 sitios interconnected by concrete alleys mostly completed during the term of Bgy. Captain Benjamin Familara with the help of Ex-assemblyman Nemesio Ganan Jr. These sitios namely Busay, Butlac, Kabutunan, Maxiboy, Pali, Quiapo, Proper, Subok, Yungkadan and Yuusan.

Sibay is the converging point of copra products from the neighboring barangays of Tan-ag and Libtong. Hundreds of sacks of copras are loaded to vessels moored in it shore each week for trading to Lucena. During the “habagaton” months cargo vessels unload here cargoes and goods for consumption of the people.

Sibay’s beachfront become a  favorite swimming for the people nearby. During the high tide the sea extends inward to the mainland forming a “suba” which serve as  a swimming pool.

Nabalay is the third barangay from the Poblacion going south. It is one of the smallest barangay yet it cannot be left behind from other barangays. It has a semi-concrete catholic chapel, social hall, barangay administration building and basketball court.

Nabalay got its name from “bayay” which means house. During the olden times many of the settlers constructed their houses among the hills of the barrio and earned their living through farming and fishing. It has seven sitios; Cabatoan, Tingib, Agrado, Ragat, Lingaton, Yodo, Tocaron, Sayog, Antinamay, Tongtong and Catarman.

The shores of Nabalay are rich on marine life like other barangays. During low tide many native gather various varieties of seashells known locally as “sihi” for food. During the summer months its beaches are visited by other people from the town or nearby barangays to swim.

If you are looking for seashells in Banton, the place to go is Barangay Togbongan. Its long stretch of shoreline offers the seashells gatherer a vast gathering ground.

Its name can be traced from the word “Togbon” which is English means going down. The barangay was established during the founding of Banton as a municipality. Togbonganons are mostly farmers, fishermen and professionals. Though many of the live in Poblacion those who remained have settled in its sitios namely Ampongo, Antinamay, Ibabaw, Tatusan, Puyang Bato, Rongos, Banaag, Mar-as, Yuong, Guilon, and Guyangan.

Located on the outskirts west of Poblacion, Barangay Toctoc was a sibling of Barangay Hambian and became a regular barangay in 1918 during the establishment of Banton as a municipality. Many Toctocanons say that Poblacion is a part of Toctoc, but the Hambianons not necessarily agree because to the Poblacion is part of Hambian. This issue has been resolved when the Poblacion was established as Barangay during the time of President Marcos.

According to some stories the early natives of this barangay were musically inclined and had fondness of playing a social percussion instrument called “kayutang”. Such instruments are usually beaten with both hands and produces a musical rhythm which is only audible as a pounding of a board from a distance. Such sound is locally described “Toktok” meaning “knocking.” It was this sound that gave way its name Toktok.

Compared to other barangays, Toctoc has a small area embraced by small sitios like Aguyo, Anuara, Cabang-cabang, Cambindol, Gutusan, Onti, Rumpilan, Tagaytay, Taytay, Tinaan, Toktokon and Yuong.

Onti houses the campanario which served as the guardhouse during the height of Moro piracy.

Taytay on the other hand hosts the two ”Camposantos” (cemeteries) of Banton, the final resting place of the Bantoanon dead. The caves of huyangan reportedly a part of  Toctoc is a favorite place to visit. A word of caution however to first timers; do not go down there alone as you might not be able to get out again.

There is even a story that tells of fuel oil flowing abundantly in Guyangan but this remains a myth up to these days.