Wikipedia

Batac

Batac, officially the City of Batac (Ilocano: Siudad ti Batac; Filipino: Lungsod ng Batac), is a 5th class component city in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 55,484 people.[3]

Batac
Component city
City of Batac
Immaculate Conception Parish Church
Immaculate Conception Parish Church
Flag of Batac
Flag
Official seal of Batac
Seal
Map of Ilocos Norte with Batac highlighted
Map of Ilocos Norte with Batac highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Map
Batac is located in Philippines
Batac
Batac
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 18°03′19″N 120°33′54″E / 18.0554°N 120.56489°E / 18.0554; 120.56489
CountryPhilippines
RegionIlocos Region
ProvinceIlocos Norte
District 2nd district
Founded1587
CityhoodJune 23, 2007 (Lost cityhood in 2008 and 2010)
Affirmed CityhoodFebruary 15, 2011
Barangays43 (see Barangays)
Government
 [1]
 • TypeSangguniang Panlungsod
 • MayorAlbert D. Chua
 • Vice MayorWindell D. Chua
 • RepresentativeEugenio Angelo M. Barba
 • City Council
Members
 • Electorate39,597 voters (2022)
Area
[2]
 • Total161.06 km2 (62.19 sq mi)
Elevation
65 m (213 ft)
Highest elevation
1,457 m (4,780 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total55,484
 • Density340/km2 (890/sq mi)
 • Households
13,970
Economy
 • Income class5th city income class
 • Poverty incidence
3.96
% (2021)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 754.7 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 3,046 million (2020)
 • Expenditure₱ 502.1 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 318.5 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityIlocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
2906
PSGC
012805000
IDD : area code +63 (0)77
Native languagesIlocano
Tagalog
Websitebatac.gov.ph

Etymology

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The word Batac translates as "pull" in the Ilocano language. More loosely, it refers to "the people's pulling their efforts together."

Batac has an interesting colloquial origin of its name. According to a legend, set in pre-settlement Batac, a man fell into a deep hole while he was digging for the root crop "camangeg". He struggled to get out but could not despite his best efforts. He cried for help but nobody was around. He waited for hours and had given up hope of being saved. Two men from the neighboring town of Paoay happened to pass by. They heard the man shouting and traced it to where he was trapped. Upon seeing him, they heard the man said "Batakennak! Batakennak!" The two men did not understand until the man explained that he was saying, "Pull me up! Pull me up!" They did just that. When the two men reached their hometown, they told their story to their friends. Since then, the town has been called "Batac," which is derived from the word "batakennak."

History

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Batac was founded by the Augustinians in 1587 under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception. It is the second oldest town established by the Augustinians in the province of Ilocos Norte. Hence, in 1987, Batac reached its fourth centennial.

Batac was officially organized into a ministry on January 5, 1586. The first priest assigned to cathecize the natives of the community was Esteban Marin, an Augustinian who probably arrived in Batac in 1585. Paoay and Dinglas (Dingras) were then the visitas of Batac.

Folk history states that there were two villages in Batac during the early part of tile foundation of the town, one was an Itneg community which occupied sitio Nangalisan and a Christian community occupying San José.

The first site of tile poblacion was in San José, which is now called Barangay Palpalicong. It is said that the ethnic minority groups of Bangui and Nueva Era are the pre-Spanish descendants of early inhabitants of Batac.

The Augustinians considered the people of Batac more civilized than the other tribes, because they were better than the other "Indios" in personal cleanliness.

Cityhood

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Main article: Cities of the Philippines
For further information, see League of Cities of the Philippines v. COMELEC.

Republic Act 9407, the law that converted the Municipality of Batac into a component city in the Province of Ilocos Norte, to be known as Batac City, was overwhelmingly ratified by the people in a plebiscite conducted on June 23, 2007.

The Supreme Court declared the cityhood law of Batac and 15 other cities unconstitutional after a petition filed by the League of Cities of the Philippines in its ruling on November 18, 2008. On December 22, 2009, the cityhood law of Batac and 15 other municipalities regain its status as cities again after the court reversed its ruling on November 18, 2008. On August 23, 2010, the court reinstated its ruling on November 18, 2008, causing Batac and 15 cities to become regular municipalities. Finally, on February 15, 2011, Batac becomes a city again including the 15 municipalities declaring that the conversion to cityhood met all legal requirements.

After six years of legal battle, in its board resolution, the League of Cities of the Philippines acknowledged and recognized the cityhood of Batac and 15 other cities.

Geography

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Batac is located in the northwest of Luzon island, about 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from the eastern shores of the South China Sea, and 470 kilometres (290 mi) from Metro Manila and 17 kilometres (11 mi) from Laoag, the provincial capital. The municipalities of Banna, Currimao, Paoay, Pinili, Sarrat, Marcos and San Nicolas form its boundaries.

Barangays

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Batac is politically subdivided into 43 barangays, 14 of which constitute the poblacion. [5] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

  • Barangay 1-S Valdez (Cauayan) (Poblacion)
  • Barangay 1-N Ricarte (Nalasin) (Poblacion)
  • Barangay 2 Ablan (Labucao) (Poblacion)
  • Barangay 3, Cangrunaan (Poblacion)
  • Barangay 4, Nalupta (Suabit) (Poblacion)
  • Barangay 5, Callaguip (Poblacion)
  • Barangay 6, San Julian (Poblacion)
  • Barangay 7, Caunayan (Poblacion)
  • Barangay 8, Acosta (Iloilo) (Poblacion)
  • Barangay 9, Aglipay (Poblacion)
  • Barangay 10-S, Barani (Poblacion)
  • Barangay 10-N, Lacub (Poblacion)
  • Barangay 11 Ben-Agan (Poblacion)
  • Barangay 12, Palpalicong (Poblacion)
  • Barangay 13, Baay
  • Barangay 14, Bungon
  • Barangay 15, Baligat
  • Barangay 16-S, Quiling Sur
  • Barangay 16-N, Quiling Norte
  • Barangay 17, Tabug
  • Barangay 18, Magnuang
  • Barangay 19, Pimentel (Cubol)
  • Barangay 20-S, Mabaleng
  • Barangay 20-N, Colo
  • Barangay 21, Quiom
  • Barangay 22, Maipalig
  • Barangay 23, Biningan
  • Barangay 24, Sumader
  • Barangay 25-N, Camguidan
  • Barangay 25-S, Payao
  • Barangay 26, Parangopong
  • Barangay 27-E, Capacuan
  • Barangay 27-W, Naguirangan
  • Barangay 28, San Mateo
  • Barangay 29, San Pedro
  • Barangay 30-E, Baoa East
  • Barangay 30-W, Baoa West
  • Barangay 31, Camandingan
  • Barangay 32, Palongpong
  • Barangay 33-S, Rayuray
  • Barangay 33-N, Nagbacalan
  • Barangay 34, Dariwdiw
  • Barangay 35, Bil-loca

Climate

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Climate data for Batac City, Ilocos Norte
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 27
(81) 		28
(82) 		30
(86) 		32
(90) 		31
(88) 		31
(88) 		30
(86) 		30
(86) 		30
(86) 		29
(84) 		28
(82) 		27
(81) 		29
(85)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 20
(68) 		20
(68) 		21
(70) 		23
(73) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		24
(75) 		23
(73) 		22
(72) 		21
(70) 		23
(73)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 38
(1.5) 		37
(1.5) 		37
(1.5) 		49
(1.9) 		181
(7.1) 		214
(8.4) 		264
(10.4) 		251
(9.9) 		243
(9.6) 		229
(9.0) 		129
(5.1) 		96
(3.8) 		1,768
(69.7)
Average rainy days 11.6 10.7 12.4 15.2 22.6 25.0 26.1 24.9 24.3 19.2 16.4 15.4 223.8
Source: Meteoblue[6]

Demographics

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Population census of Batac
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 19,254—    
1918 23,986+1.48%
1939 22,207−0.37%
1948 22,587+0.19%
1960 27,139+1.54%
1970 33,114+2.01%
1975 35,230+1.25%
1980 37,579+1.30%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 43,092+1.38%
1995 45,534+1.04%
2000 47,682+0.99%
2007 50,675+0.84%
2010 53,542+2.02%
2015 55,201+0.58%
2020 55,484+0.10%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[7][8][9][10]

In the 2020 census, the population of Batac was 55,484 people,[3] with a density of 340 inhabitants per square kilometre or 880 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

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Poverty incidence of Batac

5
10
15
20
2006
11.20
2009
15.26
2012
10.90
2015
7.75
2018
4.14
2021
3.96

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

The Batac City Public Market touted as one of the biggest in the region offers a wide array of goods – freshly picked local vegetables and fruits, handicrafts, tincrafts, pottery, native delicacies, chicharon, longganisa, wet market treats and many others. The Delicia Center, located adjacent to the City Public Market, contains RTW shops, banks, appliance stores, farm supplies, pharmacies, groceries, a lottery outlet and many more. The Delicia Center and the City Public Market form part of the commercial district of Batac City.

With the presence of the Central Bank of the Philippines Cash Unit in the Batac City Government Center, financial institutions continue to spawn – Philippine National Bank, RCBC, Metrobank, Land Bank, BPI, Bank of Commerce, BDO and other local banks. Proof that Batac is offering a good business climate to investors.

The Plaza Maestro Complex, one of the most modern shopping centers in the province caters to the needs of the new generation, offering two of the country's top fast food chains (Jollibee and Chowking), several boutique shops, a drugstore and a photo shop, among others. A stone's throw away from the commercial complex are bakeshops and a local pizza house.

Tourism

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The President Ferdinand E. Marcos Monument at the Batac Mini Park
 
Marcos Museum and Mausoleum

The Marcos Museum and Mausoleum is situated in the city center. The Mausoleum is where the glass-entombed, preserved corpse of Former President Ferdinand E. Marcos is found. The Museum holds the memorabilia of then President, from his stint in the Armed Forces down to his presidency. Other notable figures who hails from Batac include Gen. Artemio Ricarte, the Father of the Philippine Army and Msgr. Gregorio Aglipay, the co-founder of the Philippine Independent Church. Monuments and shrines of these personalities had been erected and named after them, such as the Gregorio Aglipay National Shrine.

The Batac Riverside Empanadaan is a retail and dining center catering to tourist selling food products including the city's primary commodity of Batac, the empanada, and other souvenirs and products.

The city has two festivals, The Farmers Festival and The Empanada Festival. The Farmers' Festival, conducted in the first week of May each year is a celebration of bountiful harvest and a tribute to the farmers of the city. It is participated by the rural barangays of the city. The Empanada Festival is a festivity held on the June 23 in celebration of the city's Charter Day. The main feature of the festival is the street dancing which chronicles the process of preparing the empanada.

The Batac City Fiesta, a month-long festivity commencing on December 8, is the longest fiesta in the Province of Ilocos Norte. The fiesta is celebrated in honor of the city's patroness, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. The Electric and Lights Parade marks the beginning of the City Fiesta every December 8.

Government

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Local government

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Main article: Sangguniang Panglungsod

Batac, belonging to the second congressional district of the province of Ilocos Norte, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a city council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

Elected officials

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Members of the City Council
(2022–2025)[19]
Position Name
Congressman Eugenio Angelo M. Barba
Mayor Albert D. Chua
Vice-Mayor Windell D. Chua
Councilors Bismark Angelo A. Quidang
Mark Christian R. Chua
Kichel Jomarie G. Pungtilan
Violeta Eugenia D. Nalupta
Lucky Rene G. Bunye
John Gabrielle Dominique M. Daguio
Christopher B. Lagmay
Joel R. Garcia
Jaime S. Tanagon Sr.
Avelard Ibarra F. Crisostomo
Joseph P. Ulit (ABC President)
James G. Saclayan (SK President)

List of local chief executives

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  • 1900: Sereno Franco
  • 1904: Claudio Asuncion
  • 1906: Sereno Franco
  • 1910: Santiago Espiritu
  • 1912: Galo Luzod
  • 1916: Higidio Layaoen
  • 1917: Mauricio Sabas
  • 1919: Higidio Layaoen
  • 1922: Isidro Morales
  • 1925: Eugenio Mendoza
  • 1928: Urbano Arcangel
  • 1931: Eugenio Mendoza, Sr.
  • 1934: Leon Verano
  • 1941: Catalino Acosta
  • 1942: Sereno Franco (Japanese Occupation)
  • 1942: Catalino Acosta (Liberation)
  • 1945: Vicente Castro (Military Government)
  • 1946-1952: Mariano Nalupta, Sr.
  • 1956-1977: Feliciano Q. Asuncion
  • 1977-1987: Fe P. Acosta - Aguinaldo
  • 1986-1987: Bonifacio G. Agdigos (OIC)
  • 1987-1988: Pastor N. Nalupta
  • 1988–1998: Jesus R. Nalupta, Sr.
  • 1998-2001: Elena M. Nalupta
  • 2001-2007: Jesus R. Nalupta, Sr.
  • 2007–2016: Jeffrey Jubal C. Nalupta
  • 2016–Present: Albert D. Chua

Education

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Batac National High School (BNHS) is the most popular high school in the city. It has three campuses: Poblacion, Bungon and Payao.

The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) is a comprehensive institution of higher learning in the Ilocos Region. MMSU's root anchored deep, its foundation is strong, and its beginnings all proven historical turning points as far back as the early 1900s.

The city has one Catholic School, The Immaculate Conception Academy. It was named after Immaculate Conception, the patron saint of the city. It is under the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS). It was founded in 1963. It is located beside the Immaculate Conception Parish.

Notable people

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Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel, Jr. - A Filipino politician and human rights lawyer during the Martial Law under Marcos administration, former mayor of Cagayan de Oro from 1980 to 1984; he traced his roots in the city through his mother who came from Batac, then a town at that time.[20]

References

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  1. ^  City of Batac | (DILG)
  2. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Census of Population (2020). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  5. ^ "Province: Ilocos Norte". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  6. ^ "Batac: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  7. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  8. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region I (Ilocos Region)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  9. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  10. ^ "Province of Ilocos Norte". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  11. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  12. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
  13. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
  14. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
  15. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
  16. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
  17. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  18. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  19. ^ "City of Batac Partial, unofficial results aggregated from Comelec data". ABS-CBN News. May 13, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  20. ^ Josue, Ericson (2009). ""Ili a Baluarte": Revisiting the Cradle of Aglipayanism". Philippiniana Sacra. 44 (130): 129–186. doi:10.55997/ps1008xliv130a8. ISSN 0115-9577.
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