The Ilocos Times

Batac councilor Markee Chua leads the distribution of relief packs in the City of Batac (File photo) The following is a sit down interview with Batac councilor Mark Christian "Markee" Chua who has filed his candidacy to run for the city’s mayoralty post. Outgoing Batac mayor Engr. Albert D. Chua will be his running mate. The incumbent mayor has completed three straight terms and has slid down to run for the vice mayoralty post. The Chuas will face off with former Batac mayor Jeffrey Nalupta and Batac councilor Bismark Quidang, respectively.   The Ilocos Times (IT): What made you decide to run? Mark Christian Chua (MCC): To be honest, Mayor Albert has done a lot for the city, and if we are to really quantify those, I think there is little more to be accomplished in terms of governance as well as in looking after the welfare of the people of Batac. But this is not to say, that there is nothing more to be done. In time, all things need to evolve so they can keep up with ...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) City of Batac —As the Christmas season goes into high gear the New Year beckons, four local government units in the province said they will have a reduction of their annual budgets in 2023 compared to this year. Batac Vice Mayor and Sangguniang Panlungsod presiding officer Atty. Windell D. Chua said this city will have a decrease of PHP70 million for next year compared to the current budget. From the PHP903,677,575.48 2020 annual budget, the Batac council only approved PHP833,473,836.08 for the 2023   annual budget. Among the major reasons for the decrease, Chua said, was the National Tax Allocation (NTA) share reduction wherein the city government here had PHP 107 million less, or 14.46%, from their last year’s share. Chua promised though that services offered by the city government,   particularly in the agricultural sector, health, social welfare and infrastructure projects will not be affected, adding only the budget for ...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) City of Batac —Mayor Albert D. Chua recently confirmed that a developer has approached the city government to put up a large-scale solar power plant at Brgys. Camandingan, San Pedro and Biningan in this city. In view of this, Chua endorsed the letter of intent submitted by Apolaki One, Inc. to the Sangguniang Panlungsod here for evaluation and deliberation. He added that the city council will also verify whether the mentioned barangays are incorporated in the city’s 10-year development plan of the city as some areas of those barangays can be water sources and tourist destinations. Chua added that the proposed power plant is a lengthy project that needs thorough study as well as the approval of the Dept. of Energy, Dept. Environment and Natural Resources and other national agencies. The mayor also said that it will also require resolutions from the identified barangays and the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The mayor disclosed that the deve...

Mayor Albert D. Chua leads the blessing and inauguration of various projects in the city of Batac. ( CMO Batac photo) By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) City of Batac—Delivering on its commitment to build safe, resilient and livable communities, the city government here lead the blessing and inauguration of various projects in this city. On November 10-11, 2020 Batac mayor Albert D Chua, along with Batac vice mayor Windell Chua distributed garlic and onion planting materials and fertilizers. Aside from the said farming materials, each of the 682 garlic and onion farmers also received 15 kilos garlic bulb, 25 kilos complete fertilizers, 25 kilos sulfate and 1 kilo foliar fertilizer. On November 15, was the celebration of mayor Chua’s birthday. A total of 43 computer units were donated by the city government of Batac to DepEd Batac for the Science and Technology Academic and Researched-Based Openly Operated Kiosk System (STARBOOKS) that will be rolled out to the ...

I t’s a common narrative of success when farmers increase their yield and sell their harvests at a competitive price. In an industry where the middlemen often take home the biggest share, it may be a little bit hard to believe that farmers can succeed in marketing their own produce. In just three years, an Ilokano farm cooperative, reached PHP2.5 million in assets. Unbelievable, but it happened. Ruthbell Pammit, 56-year-old chair of the Rayuray Farmers’ Agriculture Cooperative (RFAC), walks us through their journey and on how they have transformed themselves from rice tillers to “agripreneurs”.   The beginning An unusual opportunity to lead knocked on Ruthbell’s door in 2017. Upon learning that the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) was launching a program in Batac City to help farmers start their own businesses, Ruthbell gathered some of his farmer-friends and together, they established a small cooperative with the intention of joi...

Batac mayor Albert D. Chua leads the lighting of the giant Christmas tree on Dec. 8, 2020 at the heart of the city. ( Doms Dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) City of Batac —The city government here led the commemoration of the feast of Immaculate Conception of Mary—the Principal Patroness of the Philippines—and the opening of the annual city fiesta, despite the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A mass held at the Immaculate Conception Church in the morning kicked off the festivities followed by the blessing and inauguration of 43 barangay multi-purpose vehicles, which the city government later distributed to all the 43 Barangays in this city. Rev. Fr. Philip Anthony Dimagiba led the blessings of the 43-brand new multi-purpose vehicles witnessed by Batac mayor Albert D. Chua, Batac vice mayor Windell D. Chua, city councilors and all the punong barangays with their kagawads. Mr. Chua said the PHP50 million L300 multi-purpose vans are for the...

  Batac mayor Albert D. Chua leads the distribution of 161 goats to farmers affected by typhoon “Ompong” as part of the city's rehabilitation program for affected farmers in cooperation with the Dept. of Agriculture regional field unit I. (CMO Batac photo) By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) City of Batac —The city government executive branch here has proposed an allocation of PHP735,688,227.36 annual budget for 2021. The budget proposal is at least PHP1 million short compared to this year’s budget of PHP736,647,586.14. The Sangguniang Panlungsod here is already tackling the budget proposal. During their October 26, 2020 session, the budget proposal was on its first reading and was referred to committee of the whole in preparation for budget hearings. Based on the budget message of Batac mayor Albert D. Chua, the proposed allocation breakdown is PHP73,114,406.36 for the beginning balance; PHP630,883,521.00 for general fund; and PHP31,690,300.00 for economic e...

  The officialdom of the City of Batac, headed by mayor Albert D. Chua commemorates the 154 th  birth anniversary of the “Father of the Philippine Army”, Gen. Artemio Ricarte. General Ricarte was born in Batac. ( CMO Batac photo)

P/Lt. Col. Roger Digmayo pays a courtesy call at the SP session hall during a regular session on October 5, 2020 as the newly detailed OIC police chief of the city effective October 1, 2020. Mr. Digmayo said that he will focus on the national headquarters programs: anti-criminality on drugs, traffic accidents along national highways, enforcement of local ordinances and other programs and activities by the past chief of police. Batac vice mayor and council presiding officer Windell Chua asked Mr. Digmayo his full support in the implementation and campaign on the COVID-19 health protocols and in maintaining peace and order situation in the city. (oms Dela Cruz)

By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) City of Batac —Mayor Albert D. Chua announced that the city of Batac will not celebrate this year’s annual fiesta due to the continuing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Mr. Chua said the city government will strictly follow all the Inter Agency Task Force for Managing Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) guidelines all other agencies concerned on the pandemic. Among these, Mr. Chua said is the prohibition of gatherings which the fiesta would be. Other than the city fiesta, Mr. Chua added they will also not allow barangay fiestas this year until further announcement. Batac is among the province’s local government units which holds various programs and activities every December. Mr. Chua, however, disclosed that the city government may conduct gift-giving events in staggered basis during the Christmas season.

By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) City of Batac —The city government here has requested the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) for the inclusion of mango growers in their insurance program. The city government said the insurance should cover damaged mango fruits caused by insect pests and diseases, and natural calamities. Reports showed that mango, which is considered to be the national fruit, is the third most important fruit crop in the country, next to banana and pineapple. The Philippines have lands and good climate that favor the cultivation of one of the best mango variety in the world—the Philippine Carabao Mango—and other indigenous and introduced varieties, strains and selections. It also shows that the country played an important role in the mango global market since 1980 with exports. Batac councilor Kichel Jomarie Pungtilan, who moved for its approval, said the city has around 181 farmers engaged in mango growing, where majority of them has...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) Laoag City —As the novel coronavirus pandemic rages on, local government units in Laoag, Batac and San Nicolas offered discounts to their respective public market rentals. In this city, the Sangguniang Panlungsod here passed an ordinance that grants 30 percent discount in rentals, including surcharges and penalties, for lessors at the Laoag City Public Market and Commercial Complex who are categorized as “non-essential goods” businesses. These non-essential goods businesses were earlier restricted to open by the national government during the enhanced community quarantine that lasted from March to May, 2020. As a result, these businesses are still trying to cope and mitigate the economic and financial fall-out from the two-month strict lockdown, wherein only those essential businesses were allowed to operate. Laoag councilor Justine Clarence Chua, who authored the ordinance, said the grant will begin immediately upon approval of L...

Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua leads the blessing, inauguration and switching on of the newly installed BLISS Water System at Sitio 3 Bliss at Barangay Camandingan, City of Batac on July 31, 2020. The water system caters to 55 residential houses. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) Batac City —Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua led that blessing and inauguration of the city’s new water system project at Brgy. Camandingan, Sitio Bliss, this city on July 30, 2020. The water project will benefit at least 55 residential houses in the area. This project is among the city’s “pet projects”, the basic need for water. In 1995, when the mayor entered politics, he already noticed an old inoperable old water tank at Sitio Bliss in the said barangay. “And now that I’m back as mayor, I, together with the present set of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, found ways and funding in order to revive and rehabilitate the water system,” Mr. Chua disclosed.     He said his a...

  BATAC  Mayor Albert D. Chua and other members of the city council hand over a certificate of recognition to Batac Water District manager Dona Sagun for her office’s help of three drums of chlorine to the city government to help in the city’s COVID-19 response. Batac also awarded the same to other 38 individuals and establishments. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz (Staff Reporter) Batac City —Living up to the concept of “bayanihan”, the city governments of Batac and Laoag recognized individuals, non-government organizations, government organizations, business establishments and others who extended their assistance to their respective constituents during the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua, along with the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Batac Vice Mayor Windell D. Chua personally handed over certificates of recognition to 39 awardees on June 29, 2020 at the SP session hall here. The Batac government acknowledged with pro...

  Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua and several members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Batac Vice Mayor Windell Chua distribute equipment to the different schools in the city. The simple turn-over was held at the Imelda Cultural Center on July 9, 2020. (CGB photo) By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Batac City —In preparation for the upcoming school year 2019-2020, the city government here distributed equipment to the different schools in this city on July 9, 2020 at the Imelda Cultural Center. Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua, in his speech during the turnover ceremony, assured that the city government will continue to support the city schools’ division here, especially on the implementation of learning continuity programs in the “new normal”. Mr. Chua said the purchased school equipment comes from the city government’s special education fund (SEF).   The city government turned over five units of photocopier to Payao Elementary School and the Batac National High Sch...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Batac City —As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to rage around the world, the city government here has banned indiscriminate spitting and expelling nasal mucus in public places. The Sangguniang Panlungsod here has specifically passed an ordinance that bans and penalizes such acts to minimize the likelihood of transmission of the COVID-19. Batac councilor Violeta Daradar-Nalupta said the virus can be transmitted thru respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, and spitting. The said acts can also transmit other respiratory pathogens, including influenza and rhinovirus. Mrs. Nalupta further stated that it is the policy of the city government to protect and promote the right to health of its constituency and instill health consciousness. Anyone who carelessly or intentionally spits or expels in public places that produces saliva, phlegm, mucus or other substances will face fines of PHP500, PHP1,000 and PHP1,50...

Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua and several members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Batac Vice Mayor Windell Chua distribute equipment to the different schools in the city. The simple turn-over was held at the Imelda Cultural Center on July 9, 2020. ( Photo courtesy of CGB)

By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Batac City —Coping with the crisis brought by COVID-19, the city government here went on its fourth tranche of distribution of relief goods with cash assistance to all families in the city. Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua said they distributed 25 kilos of rice, two face masks, two blister packs of vitamins, one dressed chicken and PHP1,000 cash as the city’s local social amelioration to every family in the city. Those who live alone also received 10 kilos of rice, one face mask, one blister pack of vitamins, one dressed chicken and PHP500 cash. Mr. Chua stressed that the city government remains steadfast in their thrust to safeguard and help the Batacqueños recover from this pandemic. The local social amelioration, the mayor said, came from the city’s savings and surplus. Earlier, the city government distributed three kilos of rice, canned goods, noodles and bath soap; six kilos of rice, canned goods, noodles and one tray of egg; and 25 ...

  Jail Sr. Insp. Cremencio Alones Jr. pays a courtesy call to Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua as the newly designated Batac District Jail warden while outgoing Jail Senior Inspector Antonio Sapaden (second from right) was detailed at the BJMP regional office. Also in the photo is newly designated Laoag City Jail warden J/Sr. Insp. Rodel Cadpino (first from left). ( Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter City of Batac --The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in this Batac and the Laoag City district jails have new wardens. Jail Senior Inspector Cremencio Alones previously from Bantay Municipal Jail in Ilocos Sur was detailed as city jail warden at the Batac City District Jail. Erstwhile Batac jail warden J/Sr. Insp. Antonio Sapaden was transferred to the Investigation and Prosecution Division of the BJMP Regional Office. Mr. Alones welcomed his new assignment as part of the BJMPs reshuffling program every two years. The formal turn...