The Ilocos Times

Batac Mayor Markee Chua leads the launching of the GCash City-zen's ID as part of the 19th Charter Day celebration, making Batac the first local government unit in Ilocos Norte to implement the program. Also present were Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, Ms. Trisha Dizon, GCash public sector head for North and Central Luzon, and city officials. (Photo by Dominic B. dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter CITY OF BATAC —The city government of Batac marked a milestone in digital governance during its 19 th Charter Day celebration on June 23, 2026, launching the GCash City-zen's ID and becoming the first local government unit in Ilocos Norte to implement the program. Batac Mayor Mark Christian “Markee” R. Chua and Trisha Dizon, GCash public sector head for North and Central Luzon, formally signed a memorandum of agreement during the launching. Designed to improve government service delivery, the GCash City-zen's ID allows residents to receive financial as...

  By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  Staff Reporter City of Batac —The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has launched a unified 911 satellite command center (SCC) in Batac at the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Station in Barangay Quiling Sur, this city.  A unified 911 satellite command center located at the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Station in Barangay Quiling Sur in the City of Batac. ( Photo courtesy of CMO Batac) The Ilocos Times learned that the newly established Unified 911 Satellite Command Centers (SCCs) in Regions I, II, VI, and VIII are now fully operational, further strengthening the country’s emergency response network and bringing life-saving services closer to communities. The SCC facility in Batac is one of the four newly established SCC in the country and will serve the entire Region I and which aims to improve emergency coordination and communication among response agencies to provide faster and more efficient assistance to comm...

Batac  Mayor Markee Chua and the city project management implementing unit presented and defended their proposed project to RPAB 1 for a  class “AA” slaughterhouse that will soon rise at Brgy. Colo in the City of Batac. The project designs, plans and other requirements were prepared by engineers and personnel from various departments of the city government, which the Regional Project Advisory Board 1 (RPAB1) approved \after its deliberation on August 20, 2025. The facility will be built under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale-Up and is expected to ensure safe and efficient meat processing, strengthening consumer safety in the city. (Photo courtesy of Batac CMO) By Leilanie Adriano CITY of Batac —The Regional Project Advisory Board 1 (Ilocos) has approved a modern slaughterhouse project in this city , under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale-Up, paving the way for its construction. Worth approximately PHP166.6 million, the constructi...

The  officialdom of the City Government of Batac, headed by Mayor Markee Chua, hold a wreath-laying ceremony at Brgy. Aglipay in this city, to honor the life and legacy of Msgr. Gregorio Labayan Aglipay, the first Supreme Bishop of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente. Joining Chua were Batac Vice Mayor Albert D. Chua, and the members of the Sanggunian Panlungsod. Also joining the commemoration are P/Lt. Col. Jerome Wangkey, officer-in-charge of the Batac police station; Anselmo R. Aludino of the Schools Division of the City of Batac; Brgy. Aglipay officials headed by Punong Barangay Jeff Lawrence Franco; and leaders of the Independent Church of Filipino Christians (Aglipay Memorial Church) led by Obispo Maximo Elorde F. Mateo. Aglipayanos from Regions 1, 2 and 3 also graced the celebration. Republic Act 6701 declared September 1 of every year a special non-working holiday in the City of Batac to celebrate Aglipay Day. (Photo courtesy of Batac CMO)

By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  Staff Reporter City of Batac —Newly elected Batac Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Albert D. Chua led the inaugural session of the new set of members of the 7 th Sangguniang Panlungsod on June 7, 2025. Before the session formally started, Chua delivered his inaugural speech, focusing in the realization of the city’s goal thru team work and joint efforts by enacting ordinances and crafting resolutions that will propel Batac towards a brighter future. Chua looked forward in collaborating with the city councilors’ expertise in addressing challenges and opportunities that may come. “Let us embark this new journey with a shared vision for a better Batac and may our collective efforts and collaborative partnerships with the executive department headed by [Batac] Mayor Markee Chua bring pride, progress and prosperity to our city and out people,” Chua said. Chua likewise presented his legislative agenda in his first term as vice mayor of Batac a...

  Gandang Buntis ng Batac 2025 . The City Government of Batac, under the leadership of Engr. Albert D. Chua, launched an inspiring initiative to promote awareness about maternal health, wellness, and the joys of motherhood held on May 29, 2025, the City Health Office-Maternal and Child Health Care (Lying-in) Clinic spearheaded the “Gandang Buntis ng Batac 2025” pageant—an event dedicated to celebrating the beauty, strength, and resilience of expectant mothers in our community. This program aimed to raise awareness about maternal and child health, encourage healthier pregnancies and deliveries, and foster a more inclusive, supportive environment for all mothers-to-be. The pageant featured nine participants from various barangays, each showcasing not only grace and confidence but also the inspiring journey of motherhood. The top three winners were awarded cash prizes of ₱10,000, ₱7,000, and ₱5,000, respectively. In addition, five minor awards were presented to deservin...