Early in its history, Batanes already had a civilization flourishing on its islands and was ruled by powerful chiefs who exacted revenues, administered justice, as well as exercised military might especially during times of invasion from other tribes.
The ROOT-WORD is the Prefix PARA which means BESIDE, ALONGSIDE & POSTION. There are other words with this root which it would be well for you to know, words such as PARAnoia, delusions of greatness; PARAphernalia, goods; PARAmount, etc.
Para - Also parrah, perau. A small Turkish copper coin, valued at the fortieth part of a piastre. In the 17th and 18th century, it was struck in silver, but after in copper. It sunk by successive depreciations till its value in 1900 was about one-twentieth of a penny.