Batac

Batac
Component City
City of Batac
Batac Government Building South Wing
Seal
Nickname(s): Home of the Great Leaders
Map of Ilocos Norte with Batac highlighted
Batac Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 18°03′N 120°34′E / 18.05°N 120.57°E / 18.05; 120.57Coordinates: 18°03′N 120°34′E / 18.05°N 120.57°E / 18.05; 120.57
Country	Philippines
Region	Ilocos Region (Region I)
Province	Ilocos Norte
District	2nd District
Founded	1577
Cityhood	June 23, 2007
Barangays	43 (see Barangays)
Government [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
• Mayor	Albert D. Chua (NP)
• Vice Mayor	Jeffrey Jubal C. Nalupta (NP)
• Electorate	34,145 voters (2016)
Area [2]
• Total	161.06 km2 (62.19 sq mi)
Population (2015 census)[3]
• Total	55,201
• Density	340/km2 (890/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	2906
PSGC	012805000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)77
Climate type	tropical monsoon climate
Income class	5th city income class
Website	batac.gov.ph

Batac (Ilocano: Ciudad ti Batac), officially the City of Batac, is a 5th class component city in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 55,201 people.^[3]

It is located in the northwest corner of Luzon island, about 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from the eastern shores of the South China Sea. The municipalities of Banna, Currimao, Paoay, Pinili, Sarrat, Marcos and San Nicolas form its boundaries. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 55,201 people.^[3]

Batac is known as the "Home of Great Leaders", as it is the hometown of many significant figures in the history of the Philippines. Among them is the former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos. It is also the birthplace of Gregorio Aglipay, the founder of the Philippine Independent Church, better known as the Aglipayan Church, and Gen. Artemio Ricarte, the "Father of the Philippine Army". Batac is well known for being the home of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), a high-degree-granting university that has several branches throughout the province.

History

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 4th centennial.

Batac was officially organized into a ministry on January 5, 1586. The first priest assigned to cathecize the natives of tile 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 tile other tribes, because they were better than the other "Indios" in personal cleanliness.

Origin of the city's name

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. Fortunately, 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."

Cityhood

During the 11th Congress (1998–2001), Congress enacted into law 33 bills converting 33 municipalities into cities. However, Congress did not act on a further 24 bills converting 24 other municipalities into cities.

During the 12th Congress (2001–2004), Congress enacted into law Republic Act No. 9009 (RA 9009), which took effect on 30 June 2001. RA 9009 amended Section 450 of the Local Government Code by increasing the annual income requirement for conversion of a municipality into a city from ₱20 million to ₱100 million. The rationale for the amendment was to restrain, in the words of Senator Aquilino Pimentel, "the mad rush" of municipalities to convert into cities solely to secure a larger share in the Internal Revenue Allotment despite the fact that they are incapable of fiscal independence.

After RA 9009 went into effect, the House of Representatives of the 12th Congress adopted Joint Resolution No. 29, which sought to exempt from the ₱100 million income requirement in RA 9009 the 24 municipalities whose cityhood bills were not approved in the 11th Congress. However, the 12th Congress ended without the Senate having approved Joint Resolution No. 29.

During the 13th Congress (2004–2007), the House of Representatives re-adopted former Joint Resolution No. 29 as Joint Resolution No. 1 and forwarded it to the Senate for approval. However, the Senate again failed to approve the Joint Resolution. Following the suggestion of Senator Aquilino Pimentel (Senate President), 16 municipalities filed, through their respective sponsors, individual cityhood bills. The 16 cityhood bills each contained a common provision exempting it from the ₱100 million income requirement of RA 9009 –

"Exemption from Republic Act No. 9009. — The City of x x x shall be exempted from the income requirement prescribed under Republic Act No. 9009."

On 22 December 2006, the House of Representatives approved the cityhood bills. The Senate also approved the cityhood bills in February 2007, except that of Naga, Cebu which was passed on 7 June 2007. These cityhood bills lapsed into law on various dates from March to July 2007 after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo failed to sign them.

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 point of law at issue in 2007 was whether there had been a breach of Section 10, Article X of the 1987 Constitution, which provides –

No province, city, municipality, or barangay shall be created, divided, merged, abolished or its boundary substantially altered, except in accordance with the criteria established in the local government code and subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the political units directly affected.

– and in each case the established criteria were far from met.

In November 2008, Batac and 15 other cities lost their cityhood after the Supreme Court of the Philippines granted a petition filed by the League of Cities of the Philippines, and declared unconstitutional the cityhood law (RA 9407) which had allowed the town to acquire its city status.^[4] The Supreme Court ruled that they did not pass the requirements for cityhood.^[5][6]

On 10 December 2008, the 16 cities affected acting together filed a motion for reconsideration with the Supreme Court. More than a year later, on 22 December 2009, acting on said appeal, the Court reversed its earlier ruling as it ruled that "at the end of the day, the passage of the amendatory law" (regarding the criteria for cityhood as set by Congress) "is no different from the enactment of a law, i.e., the cityhood laws specifically exempting a particular political subdivision from the criteria earlier mentioned. Congress, in enacting the exempting law/s, effectively decreased the already codified indicators."^[7] Accordingly cityhood status was restored.

But on 27 August 2010, the 16 cities lost their city status again, after the Supreme Court voted 7-6, with two justices not taking part, to reinstate the 2008 decision declaring as "unconstitutional" the Republic Acts that converted the 16 municipalities into cities. A previous law required towns aspiring to become cities to earn at least ₱100 million annually, which none of the 16 did.^[8]

On 15 February 2011, the Supreme Court made another volte-face and upheld for the third time the cityhood of 16 towns in the Philippines.^[9]

Finally, on 12 April 2011, the Supreme Court, in an en banc ruling delivered in Baguio City, affirmed the finality of the constitutionality of the 16 cityhood laws by resolving that:

We should not ever lose sight of the fact that the 16 cities covered by the Cityhood Laws not only had conversion bills pending during the 11th Congress, but have also complied with the requirements of the LGC prescribed prior to its amendment by R.A. No. 9009.^[8] Congress undeniably gave these cities all the considerations that justice and fair play demanded. Hence, this Court should do no less by stamping its imprimatur to the clear and unmistakable legislative intent and by duly recognizing the certain collective wisdom of Congress. WHEREFORE, the Ad Cautelam Motion for Reconsideration (of the Decision dated 15 February 2011) is denied with finality.^[9]

On 28 June 2011 the Supreme Court directed the Clerk of Court to issue the entry of judgment on the cityhood case of 16 municipalities.^[10]

Barangays

Batac is politically subdivided into 43 barangays, 14 of which constitute the poblacion. ^[2]

Demographics

In the 2015 census, the population of Batac was 55,201 people,^[3] with a density of 340 inhabitants per square kilometre or 880 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

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 City 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.

Education

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.

Tourism

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

Marcos Museum and Mausoleum

The Marcos Museum and Mausoleum lies in the heart of the city. 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 sons of Batac include Gen. Artemio Ricarte, the Father of the Philippine Army and Msgr. Gregorio Aglipay, the founder of the Philippine Independent Church. Monuments and shrines of these heroes had been erected and named after them.

The Batac Riverside Empanadaan is a showcase of the most famous product of Batac and a hallmark of tourism promotion. A home of Batac's array of products, gift shops, food stalls offering mouth watering treats like empanada, miki, longganisa, pusit, barbecue and others. Declared by a feng shui practitioner as a very good location to do business in the area, now serves as a "mini pueblo" or a mini-mall where people converge, eat, dine, shop and while the time away.

When it comes to Empanada, Batac offers the best. With a distinct taste truly its own, it is made of a savory filling of grated green papaya, mongo, chopped Ilocano Sausage (longganisa) and egg. The dough that serves as its thin and crisp wrapper is made of rice flour. Batac Empanada is deep-fried rather than baked.

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 23rd of June 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 delectable Batac Empanada.

The Batac City Fiesta, a month-long festivity commencing on the 8th of December, 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 fabulous Electric and Lights Parade marks the beginning of the City Fiesta every December 8.

Local government

Term of Office: June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2019

List of Mayors

Notable people from Batac City

• 
  Ferdinand Marcos – The 10th President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986.
• 
  Artemio Ricarte – A Filipino general during the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine–American War. Considered the "Father of the Philippine Army".
• 
  Rodolfo Biazon – Senator of the Philippines from June 30, 1992 up to June 30, 1995, and from June 30, 1998 up to June 30, 2010.

Sister cities

• Makati City, Philippines
• Carcar City, Philippines
• Naga City, Cebu, Philippines
• Cabadbaran City, Philippines
• Tabuk City, Philippines
• Lamitan City, Philippines

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Batac.

• Official Website of Batac
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System

Adjacent places of Batac
		San Nicolas	Sarrat
	Paoay		Banna
		Batac
	Currimao	Pinili	Nueva Era

Articles Related to Batac

Province of Ilocos Norte Laoag (capital) Municipalities Adams Bacarra Badoc Bangui Banna Burgos Carasi Currimao Dingras Dumalneg Marcos Nueva Era Pagudpud Paoay Pasuquin Piddig Pinili San Nicolas Sarrat Solsona Vintar Component cities Batac Laoag Barangays See: List of barangays in Ilocos Norte Ilocos region (Region I) Regional Center San Fernando Provinces Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur La Union Pangasinan Independent Component City Dagupan Component Cities Alaminos Batac Candon Laoag San Carlos San Fernando Urdaneta Vigan Provincial Capitals Laoag Lingayen San Fernando Vigan Municipalities Adams Agno Agoo Aguilar Alcala Alilem Anda Aringay Asingan Bacarra Bacnotan Badoc Bagulin Balaoan Balungao Banayoyo Bangar Bangui Bani Banna Bantay Basista Bauang Bautista Bayambang Binalonan Binmaley Bolinao Bugallon Burgos (Ilocos Norte) Burgos (Ilocos Sur) Burgos (La Union) Burgos (Pangasinan) Caba Cabugao Calasiao Caoayan Carasi Cervantes Currimao Dasol Dingras Dumalneg Galimuyod Gregorio del Pilar Infanta Labrador Laoac Lidlidda Lingayen Luna Mabini Magsingal Malasiqui Manaoag Mangaldan Mangatarem Mapandan Marcos Nagbukel Naguilian Narvacan Natividad Nueva Era Pagudpud Paoay Pasuquin Piddig Pinili Pozorrubio Pugo Quirino Rosales Rosario Salcedo San Emilio San Esteban San Fabian San Gabriel San Ildefonso San Jacinto San Juan (Ilocos Sur) San Juan (La Union) San Manuel San Nicolas (Ilocos Norte) San Nicolas (Pangasinan) San Quintin San Vicente Santa Santa Barbara Santa Catalina Santa Cruz Santa Lucia Santa Maria (Ilocos Sur) Santa Maria (Pangasinan) Santiago Santo Domingo Santo Tomas (La Union) Santo Tomas (Pangasinan) Santol Sarrat Sigay Sinait Sison Solsona Sual Sudipen Sugpon Suyo Tagudin Tayug Tubao Umingan Urbiztondo Villasis Vintar Luzon, Republic of the Philippines Cities of the Philippines Highly Urbanized Cities Angeles Bacolod Baguio Butuan Cagayan de Oro Caloocan Cebu City Davao City General Santos Iligan Iloilo City Lapu-Lapu Las Piñas Lucena Makati Malabon Mandaluyong Mandaue Manila Marikina Muntinlupa Navotas Olongapo Parañaque Pasay Pasig Puerto Princesa Quezon City San Juan Tacloban Taguig Valenzuela Zamboanga City Independent Component Cities Cotabato City Dagupan Naga Ormoc Santiago Component Cities Alaminos Antipolo Bacoor Bago Bais Balanga Batac Batangas City Bayawan Baybay Bayugan Biñan Bislig Bogo Borongan Cabadbaran Cabanatuan Cabuyao Cadiz Calamba Calapan Calbayog Candon Canlaon Carcar Catbalogan Cauayan Cavite City Danao Dapitan Dasmariñas Digos Dipolog Dumaguete El Salvador Escalante Gapan General Trias Gingoog Guihulngan Himamaylan Ilagan Imus Iriga Isabela Kabankalan Kidapawan Koronadal La Carlota Lamitan Laoag Legazpi Ligao Lipa Maasin Mabalacat Malaybalay Malolos Marawi Masbate City Mati Meycauayan Muñoz Naga, Cebu Oroquieta Ozamiz Pagadian Palayan Panabo Passi Roxas Sagay Samal San Carlos, Negros Occidental San Carlos, Pangasinan San Fernando, La Union San Fernando, Pampanga San Jose San Jose del Monte San Pablo San Pedro Santa Rosa Silay Sipalay Sorsogon City Surigao City Tabaco Tabuk Tacurong Tagaytay Tagbilaran Tagum Talisay, Cebu Talisay, Negros Occidental Tanauan Tandag Tangub Tanjay Tarlac City Tayabas Toledo Trece Martires Tuguegarao Urdaneta Valencia Victorias Vigan