PBBM turns over P150M for new Batac Public Market

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally visits the site of the fire at the Batac Public Market and awards PHP 150 million as initial funding for the construction of a new Batac Public Market, as Mayor Mark Christian “Markee” Chua presents the proposed site and building. Governor Cecilia Marcos, 2nd District Congressman Angelo Marcos Barba, and city officials headed by Vice Mayor Albert Chua were also present during the inspection. (Photo courtesy of CMO Batac)

 By Dominic B. dela Cruz. Staff reporter

City of Batac— President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited the Batac Public Market to personally inspect the damage caused by the July 5, 2026 fire and meet with affected stallholders. During his visit, the President turned over PHP 150 million in funding to the City Government of Batac for the construction of a new public market through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).

President Marcos was joined by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Ilocos Norte 2^nd District Congressman Eugenio Angelo Marcos-Barba, Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, Batac Mayor Mark Christian “Markee” Chua, Batac Vice Mayor Albert Chua, and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The new public market will be constructed at the city’s New Economic Zone, near the “Bagsakan ti Norte”. The funding marks a major step toward rebuilding the city’s public market and restoring a vital center of livelihood and economic activity for Batacqueños.

Mayor Chua announced that around 131 business stalls at the Batac Public Market were destroyed by the fire incident that started at about 8:50 p.m. on July 5, 2026 and lasted until 6:00 a.m. the following day. In response, the Sangguniang Panlungsod, headed by Vice Mayor Chua, immediately called a special session to declare a “State of Calamity” upon the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) and the DILG, as required for the release of the city’s Quick Response Fund.

Fire Senior Inspector Heinrich Gudoy and his inspection team attended the session in the presence of Mayor Chua to provide an initial investigation report on the fire. The mayor instructed market staff and concerned offices to help clear the area. He said DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Ana Carmela Remigio from the Office of the President, and 1st and 2nd District Congressmen Sandro Marcos and Angelo Marcos-Barba called to offer support, while Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Matthew Marcos-Manotoc, Laoag Mayor James Bryan Alcid, and Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas personally went to the fire scene. The mayor added that City Communication Officer Angelica Yumul was designated as the contact person for donations.

Vice Mayor Chua likewise announced that the collection of market fees will be temporarily waived for all affected stalls, and even for unaffected stalls, because of the incident. He also said that affected stalls will be temporarily transferred to the second floor of a new building. Right after the incident, Vice Mayor Fariñas personally handed over a check worth PHP 100,000 from his own pocket to Mayor Chua as financial assistance for the victims.

Stallholders and their helpers affected by the fire 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 (DSWD) on July 8. The assistance aims to ease the immediate financial burden of vendors and workers as they begin to recover and rebuild their livelihoods.

The City Government of Batac likewise released financial assistance to stallholders affected by the July 5 fire. Assistance ranging from PHP 10,000 to PHP 100,000 was provided based on the assessed damage to each stall. 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 immediately mobilize assistance for vendors. Alongside the financial assistance, vendors also received food packs from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and rice donations from Megaworld Ilocos and the Yapo family.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also extended its support to the victims by initiating assistance measures aimed at helping affected vendors and workers recover their livelihoods. On July 7, 2026, DOLE Ilocos Norte provincial head Janelyn Martin, along with Benjo Campañano from the Office of the 2^nd Congressional District Representative of Ilocos Norte, paid a courtesy call on Mayor Chua to discuss possible assistance. The meeting focused on identifying appropriate interventions, including livelihood and emergency employment, to help the victims rebuild after the fire.

As part of the agency’s immediate response, DOLE, in coordination with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), conducted the profiling of potential beneficiaries on July 8–9, 2026, at the Bagsakan ti Norte. The activity gathered essential information from affected individuals to determine their eligibility for DOLE assistance programs. DOLE continues to work closely with the City Government of Batac and other stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of assistance programs, ensuring that affected stall owners and workers receive the support they need to recover during this challenging time.

First District Congressman Sandro Marcos, assisted by Laoag City Mayor James Bryan Alcid, personally visits the 2nd Produkto Ilocandia Trade Fair at the Laoag City Hall in celebration of the 120th ABLAN Day, in support of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) selling their agricultural and local products. (Photo by Doms Dela Cruz)

The DSWD, through the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte headed by Governor Araneta- Marcos, also distributed financial assistance to fire victims, providing PHP10,000 each for stall owners and PHP5,000 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.