Career
He was one of the most economic minded governor-generals that served in Spanish ruled Philippines. He established the bases for the takeoff of the agriculture of Philippine export with a tolerance policy towards the, theoretically illegal, activity of the foreign retailers, mainly English and North American who went to Manila to complete their product shipments. He also made the colony independent, by freeing it from the control of New Spain, which is today part of Mexico and other Pacific Islands including Philippines.
In 1782, Basco sent an expedition to undertake the formalities of acquiring the consent of the Ivatans to become subjects of the king of Spain.
On June 26, 1783, Joseph Huelva y Melgarjo became the first governor of Batanes. The new province was named Provincia de la Concepcion and Governor General Basco was named “Conde de la Conquista de Batanes” and the capital town, Basco, was named after him.
By January 21, 1789, King Carlos III granted in prize to his numerous services the title of Count of Conquista of the Batanes Islands. Grace to which he added to the appointments of Squad leader and Governor of Cartagena.
Basco was replaced by Pedro de Sarrio on November 22, 1787.