Located in the mid-southwestern portion of the province of Ilocos Norte, Batac is bounded by the Municipality of San Nicholas on the north, Municipality of Banna on the east, Municipality of Pinili on the southeast, Municipality of Currimao on the southwest and the Municipality of Paoay on the west. It is about 472 kms. north of Metro Manila, about 18 kms. south of Laoag City, the capital of the province, 275 kms. north of San Fernando City, the regional capital of Ilocos Region,  and 11.2 kms. east of the eastern shore of South China Sea.

Travelling to Batac from Manila takes about 45 mins. through airplane, or about 8-9 hours  through motor vehicle. It also takes about 15-20 mins. from Laoag City. The well-paved roads make traveling to this northern municipality a leisurely activity.

History

Batac is one of the oldest towns in Ilocos Norte. It was founded by Juan de Salcedo in 1577 after consolidating Spanish rule in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

According to folk history, two villages existed during the early years of Batac. One was a Christian community headed by a chief called Captain Bazar, and the other a non-Christian community called “Itned”, headed by captain Tagley, at Sitio Nagalisan, now a part of Brgy. Payao. It is said that the ethnic minority groups of Bangui and Nueva Era are the pre-Spanish descendants of early inhabitants of Batac. The first site of the poblacion was in San Jose, which is now called Barangay Palpalicong. As the Spanish pushed further into the hinterlands, the non-Christians were converted and assimilated into the growing Christian community. The united communities grew into the town of Batac.

The origin of the name “Batac” has an interesting story as told by the municipality’s forefathers. 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 could hear him until the time when two men from the neighboring town of Paoay happened to pass by. They heard the man shouting and upon seeing him, they heard the man said "Bataquennac! Bataquennac!" The two men did not understand what the man was saying. Upon knowing that it meant "Pull me up! Pull me up!” they helped the fallen man. 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 “bataquennac.”

Demographic Profile

Based on the Census of Population as of Aug. 1, 2007, Batac had a total population of 50,675 with a population density of approximately 315 persons per square kilometer.  The population’s average annual rate of increase is 0.87 from 2000 to 2007. Brgy. Tabug was the most populous barangay with 3,264 inhabitants while Brgy. Biningan, with 339 inhabitants, was the least populous.

                             Table 1: Population of Batac by Barangay as of August 1, 2007

Land Resources

The municipality has a total land area of 16,101 hectares comprising 43 barangays,14 of which constitute the poblacion. Being an agricultural municipality, more than half of the municipality’s land area is used for agricultural purposes. On the other hand, barren or idle land occupies an area of 22 hectares.

Agricultural lands occupy an area of 8,217 hectares or 51.10% of the  total municipal area which include fishponds, pasture lands and brushland, forest and forest reserves. Of the total agricultural area,2,820 hectares are irrigated, l,ll0 hectares are rainfed and 224 hectares are upland. Batac produces a variety of agricultural crops such as palay, squash, cabbage, pechay, eggplant, tomatoes, tobacco, garlic, sugarcane, cotton and corn. These crops and livestocks are traded daily in the municipality’s public market, especially during Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, the market days.

                         Table 2: Top 5 Agricultural Products in Batac, 2006-2008

                                       Table 3: Livestock Inventory in Batac, 2006-2008

In 2006-2008, palay and corn were the leading agricultural crops while chicken and hogs were the main livestock.

Facilities

The municipality has various health facilities that provide health services not only to the townsfolk's but also to those from nearby towns and provinces.   Among these facilities are the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center, Municipality Health Units I and II, Puericulture Center and several lying-in clinics managed by private medical practitioners.

Several scenic and historic places can also be seen in the municipality. These include: "Balay ti Amianan" Marcos Museum, Msgr. Gregorio Aglipay Shrine, Ricarte National Shrine and the Batac Mini Park.

The FITS (Farmer Information and Technology Services) Center, a one-stop service facility in the municipality, has been helping farmers, traders, and entrepreneurs in their agricultural activities. The center provides the latest information and technology on agriculture, fishery and other related sectors. The center is an affiliate of the ILLARDEC and is manned by three personnel.

Other infrastructures are also present in the municipality. Among these are the Maternal and Child Health Clinic, a clinic that caters to the health needs of Batacquenos, the Delicia Center, a commercial center located adjacent to the public market, the Kalipi Training Center, a training center for livelihood projects for women, the Bullilising Day Care Center, the Plaza Maestro Commercial Complex, a shopping center that caters to the needs of the new generation, and the Central Terminal, a terminal for Manila-bound buses and travelers. This terminal also serves as the “bagsakan area” for Batac’s agricultural products and those coming from other towns and provinces.

Products

Noted products in the municipality are the "empanada and bagnet". The “empanada” is known to be the most famous product of Batac. At present, the Batac "empanada" plaza, now called "Batac Riverside Empanadaan", is being continuously developed to showcase the “empanada”.