Batac declares state of calamity after public market fire

 

At least 131 market stalls were burned in the Batac Public Market firer that began on July 5 and continued into the early hours of July 6, 2026. (Doms dela Cruz)

By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter

City of Batac—At least 131 business stalls were reduced to ashes in the fire that hit the Batac Public Market on July 5, 2026, starting at about 8:50 pm and continuing until around 6:00 am the following morning, Batac Mayor Mark Christian “Markee” Chua said.

In response, the Sangguniang Panlungsod, headed by Batac Vice Mayor and presiding officer Abert D. Chua, immediately held a special session to declare the city under a state of calamity, following the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. The declaration was also needed for the release of the city’s Quick Response Fund.

Fire/Sr. Insp. Heinrich Gudoy and other members of the inspection team attended the session, in the presence of Mayor Chua, for the initial investigation into the fire. The mayor also instructed the market staff and inspection teams to help clear the area.

Mayor Chua said officials from the national and local governments responded to the incident. He said DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Ana Carmela Remigio of the Office of the President, and 1^st and 2^nd District Representatives Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos and Eugenio Angelo M. Barba called to check on the situation, while Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Mathew Joseph M. Manotoc, Laoag Mayor James Bryan Alcid and Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas personally went to the fire scene.

The mayor said he designated City Communication Officer Angelica Yumul as the contact person for donations. He added that no final cost of damage has been reported yet, although the estimated damaged floor area reached 12,800 square meters.

Laoag Vice Mayor Carlos Fariñas donates PHP100,000 from his personal funds for the Batac fire victims. (Doms dela Cruz)

Chua thanked the various LGU and Bureau of Fire Protection fire trucks that helped put out the blaze. He said the initial assessment showed the structure was already beyond repair. “Hindi na siya puwedeng i-renovate kasi napakalakas po ng apoy, pati mga bakal ay natunaw at mga semento ay nag-crack na, kaya need to demolish it,” the mayor said.

Vice Mayor Chua also announced that market fee collection will be temporarily waived for all stalls, both affected and unaffected, because of the incident. He said the vendors displaced by the fire will be temporarily relocated to the second floor of the new building.

The aftermath of the Batac Public Market Fire. (Doms dela Cruz)

Right after the incident, Vice Mayor Fariñas personally handed over a PHP100,000 check from his own pocket to Mayor Chua for the victims’ financial assistance. Stallholders and their helpers affected by the fire also received PHP10,000 each in cash relief assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development on July 8.

The city government here likewise released financial assistance to affected stallholders. Depending on the extent of damage assessed per stall, assistance ranged from PHP10,000 to PHP100,000. Following the declaration of a state of calamity, Mayor Chua, with the support of the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Vice Mayor Chua, led efforts to mobilize immediate aid for the vendors.

Along with financial assistance, the victims also received food packs from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and rice donations from Megaworld Ilocos and the Yapo family. The city government said it continues to coordinate recovery measures with partner agencies to support the rebuilding of the market and the restoration of vendors’ livelihoods.

The Department of Labor and Employment also extended support to the victims of the fire. On July 7, 2026, DOLE Ilocos Norte Provincial Head Janelyn Martin and Benjo Campañano of the Office of the 2^nd Congressional District Representative paid a courtesy call on Mayor Chua to discuss possible assistance for affected workers and vendors. The meeting focused on livelihood and emergency employment programs that could help the victims recover.

As part of its response, DOLE, in coordination with the Public Employment Service Office, conducted profiling of potential beneficiaries on July 8 and 9, 2026, at the Bagsakan ti Norte. The activity gathered information needed to determine eligibility for DOLE assistance programs.

DOLE said it will continue working with the city government and other stakeholders to ensure that affected stall owners and workers receive support during the recovery period. The Department of Social Welfare and Development, through the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte headed by Araneta-Marcos, also distributed financial assistance of PHP10,000 each for stall owners and PHP5,000 each for workers.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has generously shared their blessings and support for our market vendors during this difficult time. Every donation, big or small, brings hope and helps our market vendors recover and rebuild,” the mayor said.