About the Seal

Municipal Hall (White), represents the modern edifice of Batac

Rice, Tobacco, Garlic, Tomato and Mango, represent the main products of the municipality.

Two Stars (yellow), represent the two(2) districts of Batac

Blue, represent Ouiaoit River that runs through the center of the poblacion

Red, stands for the bravery of Ambaristo, native of Batac who led the famous Basi revolt

Green, represents agriculture

Yellow-Orange Sunrays, represent(Dawn) Daytoy ti Bannawag

Brief History

Batac is bounded on the north by San Nicolas and Sarrat; on the east by the Laoag River and the Cordillera; on the south by Badoc; and on the west by Paoay. There are several small lakes within the territory and the soil is very fertile, The town has a land area of 161,06 square kilometers, with a population of 45,534 in 1995.

The first inhabitants of the town were Malays whose descendants are the Tingguians of Bangui and Nueva Era. The word Batac in the dialect means cooperative and helpful. Legends say that the name Batac was given to this place because long before it became a town, the natives were very helpful and cooperative, especially in the pursuit of common welfare.

Batac was formerly an encomienda of the Spanish King under the stewardship of Gaspara Perez. It was founded by the Augustinians in 1587. The town served the visita of Paoay in 1593 to 1689, and of Dingras in 1589 and 1603. It became the center of missionary activities in Ilocos Norte. Like the early Filipino communities, Batac passed through the encomienda system, which succeeded the barangay as a form of government with the advent of the Spanish regime.

The Municipality of Batac had its share of the fighting’s and bloodsheds during the Philippines struggle for independence. Its people have been known to resist foreign aggression and dominion, as demonstrated by its illustrious sons, namely; Bishop Gregorio Aglipay, a former ecclesiastical Governor of the diocese of Nueva Segovia, who founded the Philippine Independent Church; and General Artemio Ricarte, the valiant, old soldier who remained an exile to Japan for the rest if his life than to bow the American might. Batac is also the ancestral home of the Marcoses, although the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, known to be the most beloved and worthy son of Batac, was born in Sarrat.

Farming is the most important occupation of the people. Rice is the principal agricultural crop. However, the shift to the raising of Virginia leaf tobacco brought some changes in the local economy. Encouraged by the government’s subsidy and price support, many farmers shifted to the growing of Virginia tobacco. In a relatively short period of time, tobacco became the major cash crop of the town and the other parts of Ilocos Norte, Batac is now the leading tobacco grower.

The people also raise cattle, poultry, swine and other domestic animals. In Batac, the weaving cloth for apparel and blankets, mat-making and pottery are well-developed industries.