MUNICIPALITY OF BATAC, Historical Data Part III

1882 - Town Curate - Fr. Antonio Garcia; Gobernadorcillo - Don Miguel Garcia. January - the house on Don Hermogenes Arizabal was set on fire and Brico [probably Briccio] Pambid and Meliton Castro were suspected to have been the arsonists.

February - one Thursday night, after the curfew bell, the house of Damaso Tagatac was burned; and at about 3:00 A.M. the succeeding day, the house of Fidel Libed was again burned down. On the same day, Friday, between 11 and 12 o'clock at noon, the house of Ines Lopez was on fire. This last house was across the river south of the two houses which were burned earlier in the day. This started a big conflagration wherein the house of [the] gobernadorcillo was included because the fire went as far as to the hills south of the poblacion. After the conflagration, the gobernadorcillo ordered that the roofs of all the houses in the community be demolished without exception.

September - Appearance of a big comet with a very long tail in the east. News of a very severe epidemic in Manila.

November 27 - The tobacco bales stored in the camarin were ordered removed by the [missing word] found out that many bales were missing. After a checking was made, punishment was imposed on the gobernadorcillo, Don Miguel Garcia, and the three directors who were his associates. Nicolas Aglipay and his brother were also punished because they were the ones who carted away the stolen tobacco bales.

Don Miguel Garcia was removed as gobernadorcillo and Don Juan Braceros was made acting in his stead. Garcia's term barely more than a year.

1883 - Town Curate - Fr. Antonio Garcia; Gobernadorcillo - Don Juan Braceros. June 13^th - a very severe epidemic visited Batac and the average daily death was 40, 50, 60 and 68 a day. More than 900 people died. On this month, the church was destroyed.

1884 - Town Curate - Fr. Antonio Garcia; Gobernadorcillo - Don Juan Braceros. November - arrival of the decree of the Provincial Governor ordering that the roads and streets be widened and fences be of the same height. Big fire from Barrio Caoayan up to the cemetery south of the town. It started from the house of Juan Gaoat [or Gacat, blurred] between 1 and 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Ex-gobernadorcillo, Captain Raymundo Pambid and Maria Beltran were burned to death.

September - Dismissal from office of the gobernardorcillo, Don Juan Braceros, and the Teniente Mayor. The cause of their dismissal was the excessive charges they collected from the residents.

Don Leon Rubio, who was Teniente 2ndo [likely Segundo], became the acting gobernadorcillo (gobernador accidental) and Don Mariano Crisostomo, who was the Teniente 3^rd, became Teniente Mayor.

1885 - Town Curate - Fr. Cipriano Marcilla; Gobernadorcillo - Don Basilio Guatlo. January 1 - Don Leon Rubio, acting gobernadorcillo, was succeeded by Don Juan Caoili. A big comet appeared in the west. The riverbed was widened with the removal of bamboo probes along its bank.

July - Fr. Cipriano Marcilla succeeded the acting town curate and Don Basilio Guatlo became the gobernadorcillo.

Heavy taxes and obligations were imposed on the prominent citizens and the masses.

Roads and ways were given names.

Houses and urban lots were measured and assessed for taxation purposes.

November 24 - Beginning of payment of taxes in Laoag [not sure, blurred] by the landholders of the locality.

Death of King Alfonso XII in Spain.

August 25 - The Commissioner of Prizes with a per diem of ₱4.00 a day was sent by the Provincial Governor to collect taxes from those who had not yet paid.

1886 - Town Curate - Fr. Cipriano Marcilla; Gobernadorcillo - Basilio Guatlo. January 15 - destruction of the tobacco warehouse, killing [of] four persons who wanted to salvage nails.

June 27 - At about 8:30 P.M., while the municipal officials were in session and the gobernadorcillo was signing the minutes because the headmen were in, giving the lists of the delinquents in taxes, when they reached the list of those headed by Don Antero Garcia, said Garcia stood up and answered in a very loud voice. The other capitanes present tried to pacify him. The gobernadorcillo himself stood up and went in front of Garcia to calm him down but to no avail. Exasperated, the gobernadorcillo spanked him, and Garcia retaliated by striking Guatlo with his rattan cane on the side of the head. Guatlo was knocked out. Even the town curate went to the place because of the uproar and trouble, which excited him.

Corpus Christi Day and the Feast of St. John coincided on the same day.

The principal citizens made a demonstration protesting against taxes and they were all declared in default of payment and all their properties were seized by the government.

1887 - Town Curate - Fr. Cipriano Marcilla; Gobernadorcillo - Don Basilio Guatlo.

1888 - Town Curate - Fr. Cipriano Marcilla; Gobernadorcillo - Don Alejandro Sabas. Visit of His Excellency Captain General Valeriano Weyler.

1889 - Town Curate - Fr. Cipriano Marcilla; Gobernadorcillo - Don Basilio Guatlo. Cholera and malaria epidemic.

1890 - Town Curate - Fr. Cipriano Marcilla; Gobernadorcillo - Don Leon Regonan. Transfer of the Municipal Hall (Tribunal) to the west of the tower. The new municipal hall which was built was designed by Leon Rigonan. Confirmation ceremonies in the church.

1891 - Town Curate - Fr. Cipriano Marcilla; Gobernadorcillo - Don Leon Rigonan. Smallpox epidemic.

1892 - Town Curate - Fr. Cipriano Marcilla; Gobernadorcillo - Benigno Asuncion.

1893 - Town Curate - Fr. Cipriano Marcilla; Gobernadorcillo - Don Benigno Asuncion. Demonstration of the headmen of the community because they were forced to pay the taxes of the absentees and the deceased. The administrator ordered that their names be struck from the list and that they be made to pay a fine of ₱25.00 each. But the town curate, Fr. Cipriano Marcilla, intervened in favor of the headmen and they made a letter of petition for them to the Captain General. Subsequently, their proposed punishments were set aside.

1894 - Town Curate - Fr. Cipriano Marcilla; Gobernadorcillo - Don Alejandro Sabas. The term "gobernadorcillo" and all its dependencies were changed and, instead, the name "Capitan Municipal" was given to signify the highest official in the town.

1895 - Town Curate - Fr. Cipriano Marcilla; Capitan Municipal - Don Juan Verzosa. Confirmation ceremonies in the church. Rebuilding the bridge southwest of the old tribunal.

1986 - Town Curate - Fr. David Diez (Acting); Capitan Municipal - Don Juan Verzosa. February 29 - Suspension of all municipal employees and delegates for false cause, upon the order of the town curate.

1897 - Town Curate - Fr. Recardo Dasa; Capitan Municipal - Don Leon Regonan. Felipe Corpuz, [a] servant of the local judge, Don Gregorio Rubio, was killed on the garrote for murderning two women named Carmen and Norberta.

1898 - Town Curate - Fr. Reardo Desa; Capitan Municipal - Don Leon Regonan. First time the Filipino flag was hoisted in this town. Fleeing of the friars and members of the Spanish Army to Bangui upon pursuit by soldiers of the Philippine Republic.

Arrival of General Manuel Tinto with his band of Katipuneros, were not given the cooperation and courtesy as expected from the people because of the many abuses, cruelties and crimes they committed in the locality. They raped innocent women, ransacked personal properties, and if anybody opposed their wishes, they inflicted severe punishment [on] the people.

1899 - Town Curate - Fr. Eulogio Alcid; Capitan Municipal - Don Domingo Domrique. Murder of Don Tito Abellon and several Chinese merchants.

Before the arrival of the American troops in the provinces, a group of revolutionaries composed of prominent citizens and other liberty-loving inhabitants was formed and led by General Gregorio Aglipay. Combined with the Katipuneros, this local army engaged the American troops in many pitch battles in the localities and the odds were always against the local revolutionists they used only bolos and sharpened bamboo sticks to supplement the very few rifles and revolvers they could grab from the enemy. Practically, ammunitions were unknown to the revolutionists. The several pitch battles engaged in by the inhabitants against the American troops took place in barrios Mabalang, Payao, Pussuac, Barbarañgay, Cabaroan, Sta. Rosa, Tipcal, Iguid, Ambango, and other sitios. The local revolutionists were led during those guerrilla raids by General Gregorio Aglipay, who had for his junior officers the late Don Crispin Verano, Bartolome Franco, Higidio Layawen, Leonardo Corpuz, Juan Solsoloy, Agustin Quiaoit, Santiago Madrid, Damaso Rangcapam, Eugenio Mendoza, and Balbino Sabas.

December 12 - arrival of the American detachment in the locality; they seized the local administration; established [a] military government and enforced the material law among the inhabitants.

American troops concentrated in Batac in their efforts to capture General Aglipay, who harassed them with his guerrillas. In their desire to capture him, even the wives and children of revolutionists were brought to Laoag and maltreated. Those who were weak at heart surrendered to the Americans and turned traitors to their comrades.

1900 - Mun. President - Don Sereno Franco. April 16 - The American detachment stationed in Batac went to the barrios south of the poblacion and to Barrio Nableng [or Mableng, blurred], they found an encampment of the revolutionists who had already completed plans to enter and seize the poblacion. Because the Americans were few in number, the revolutionists seized the opportunity and chased them to the town and gave them the battle of their lives. Upon reaching the poblacion, the Americans had reinforcements and they spread through the town and stationed themselves at strategic places like the bell tower, convent, riverbank, etc. When the Americans discovered that the revolutionists took refuge in the houses, the American soldies set fire to these houses and started the conflagration which burned the town to ashes. Very few houses were saved, and hundres of lives were lost along the provincial streets and at the outskirts of the town.

Beginning of civil government in the locality under the American regime. The above officials were elected through general suffrage. Separation of the church and state. Eusebio Rabanal, Santos Rumbaoa and Sotero Caliñgao, three local heroes, were executed on the gallows erected south of the convent of the Roman Catholic church because they were found guilty, through summary court, as the killers of spies of the American detachment and some American soldiers.

Establishment of public schools.

1902 - No changes were made with respect to the local officials except Don Leon Regonan, who resigned as Municipal Treasurer and was changed by Domingo Dumbrigue.

June - Influenza and cholera epidemics which lasted for about three months.

August 2 - Appointment of Don Melchor Flor as Provincial Secretary of the Provincial Board of Ilocos Norte.

1903 - Don Domingo Dumbrigue ceased as Municipal Treasurer and Don Evacio Bacliog became Acting Mun. Treasurer.

The municipal district of Banna was annexed to Batac. Establishment of the partnership of "La Bataqueña Cooperative Association," which handled general merchandize.

Establishment of the Philippine Independent Church in the locality and erection of the church for the same in Barrio Lacub.

1904 - First taking of the census under the American regime.

1904 - The following also acted as Municipal Councilors through appointment:

1905 - For lack of rainfall, ther was very poor harvest.

They all held office for two years, from January 1, 1906 to December 31, 1907.

1906 - General famine. The people lived on roots and tubers. December 29 - Fire in Barrios Labocao, Caoayan and Iloilo. Founding of the Batac Farm School, which is now the Batac Rural High School, through the donations made by civic-spirited citizens headed by the late Don Melchor Flor, who was then the Provincial Governor of Ilocos Norte, and Sereno Franco, the incumbent Municipal President. The latter donated most of his salary and a big tract of land to realize the project.

Starting of the silk industry in the Batac Farm School and in the locality.

1907 - September - Opening of the Calungbuyan Cemetery for the Philippine Independent Church; also of the municipal cemetery in sitio Ayusan.

Mun. Pres. - Daniel Apostol
Mun. Vice-Pres. - Andres Gabriel
Mun. Councilors Mun. Sec. - Sabas Regonan
Mun. Treas. - Antonio P. Cid

The above named officials held office from January 1, 1908 to December 31, 1909

The old church building, together with the convent and other church properties, were ordered to be given back to the Roman Catholic Church after a litigation in the courts to determine their ownership.

1909 - The Governor General ordered the suspension from office for a period of three months of Municipal President Daniel Apostol

Daniel Apostol for [unreadable] negligence of duty with the parish priest of the Roman Catholic Church as complainant. [unreadable] Asuncion was made acting municipal president during [unreadable].

Mun. Pres. - Santiago Espiritu
Mun. Vice-Pres. - Bartolome Nolasco
Mun. Secretary - Ismail Valenciano
Mun. Treasurer - Antonio P. Cid
Mun. Councilors

The above officials held office from January 1, 1910 to October 15, 1912.

1910 - Executive Order of the Provincial Governor regarding arrest of lepers and other sick with contagious diseases for eventual treatment.

1911 - Changing the old bridge west of the Roman Catholic Church (then known as San Roque Bridge) with one of reinforced concrete. Renovation of the bridge in Barrio San Julian.

1912 - Building of the Gabaldon Elementary School which cost approximately ₱20,000.00. Many donations from [the] public-spirited citizens were received in this project.

March - resignation of Bartolome Nolasco as Municipal Vice-President and appointment of Jose Andres for the same post. The following also assumed office as Municipal Councilors through appointment in lieu of incumbents who resigned.

Juan Solsoloy, Domingo Dimaya, Manuel Damo, Monico de los Santos, Brigido Pablo, Inocencio Nalupta and Redardo Fontanilla.

October 16 - [The] Honorable Teogenes Quiaoit assumed office as assemblyman for the 2^nd District of Ilocos Norte in the First Philippine Assembly, after triumph in the election for the same.

Mun. Pres. - Galo Luzod
Mun. Vice-Pres. - Mauricio Sabas
Mun. Secretary - Ismael Valenciano
Mun. Treasurer - Antonio P. Cid
Mun. Councilors

Mun. Councilors

The above officials held office from October 16, 1912 to October 15, 1916

1912 - The Gabaldon Elementary School was completed.

1913 - Separation of Banna from Batac because the former was made into a regular municipality.

March - a big fire started in the barrio of Iloilo at about 1:00 P.M. on Holy Tuesday.

May 9 - severe hurricane struck Batac, destroyingt most of the houses, Municipal Hall, Roman Catholic Church and convent, etc. Capitan Claudio Asuncion, Ramon Franco and others perished.

July 28 - Sabas Rigonan was the acting Municipal Secretary.

October - rinderpest and anthrax epidemic among cattle in the locality. It was so severe and widespread that soldiers from the United States Army were stationed here to enforce quarantine regulations.

Note: The Municipal Secretary, Mr. Ismael Valenciano, resigned from office in November 1912. He was changed by Urbano Esquibel. In 1913, Eugenio Mendoza became Municipal Secretary.

1914 - Expropriation of several lots in Barrio Nalasin for the site of the public market. The lot where General Artemio Ricarte was born was included. Building of a public market of reinforced concrete on the expropriated space. Coming of locusts to thelocality.

1915 - Invasion of locusts in the locality.

1916 - Demoliton of [the] Municipal Hall as ruined by the hurricane in 1912. June - Triumph of Melchor Flor in the election for representative of the 2^nd District of Ilocos Norte. October 16 to December 31 - Higidio Layawen assumed the office of Municipal President but there was an election protest against him filed by Mauricio Sabas.

1917 - January 1 to April 13 - The Vice-President, Felipe Arcangel, discharged office as acting Municipal President pending the result of the election protest.

February 3 - Decision of the Court of First Instance of Ilocos Norte in connection of the election protest of [the] municipal president, deciding the same in favor of Mauricio Sabas and against Higidio Layawen.

Assumption of office of Municipal President Mauricio Sabas.

Mun. Pres. - Mauricio Sabas
Mun. Vice-Pres. - Felipe Arcangel
Mun. Secretary - Acisco Braceros
Mun. Treasurer - Antonio P. Cid
Mun. Councilors

Mun. Councilors

June 30 - Establishment of the Rural Credit Association in Batac.

Strong earthquake which cracked the frontage of the Roman Catholic Church.

1917 - Recruiting of soldiers for the Philippine National Guard. Capt. Agustin Quiaoit, 1^st Lieut. Felix R. Verzosa, 2^nd Lieut. Mariano R. Marcos, and 2^nd Lieut. Arturo R. Verzosa, all of this locality, were officers in said organization.

1918 - Severe influenza epidemic; there were many deaths. Strike of female students in the Batac Farm School against certain policites. Another General Census was taken throughout the archipelago. High flood destroying several dams across the Quiaoit River. April - Building the first wooden bridge across the Burubur Creek.

Mun. Pres. - Higidio Layawen
Mun. Vice-Pres. - Isidro Morales
Mun. Secretary - Francisco R. Marcos
Mun. Treasurer - Antonio P. Cid

Melchor Flor Hilario Valdes Leon Verano Celestino C. Layawen Dimetrio Arcangel Serano Franco Andres Gabriel

Francisco Nalupta Urbano Arcangel Felipe Mañgapit Galo Luzod Adriano Toralba Leon Asuncion Emilio Aberlon

The above named officials held office from October 16, 1922.

1922 - Separation of Barrio Nagtrigoan, Buanga, and part of Insukit from Batac; and annexation of the same of Pinili, which was made into a regular municipality in that year.

1925-1928

Municipal Councilors

[p. 22]

1928 to 1931:

1931 to 1934:

[p. 23]

1934 to 1937:

[p. 24]

1935 - (Continued)

1938 to December 31, 1940:

[p. 25]

1938 to Dec. 31, 1940 (Continued)

[p. 26]

1941 to May 1953.

[p. 27]

Transcribed from:

A Chronological History of Batac, Province of Ilocos Norte, Republic of the Philippines, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections. The pagination in this transcription is as they appear in the original document.