The Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI), in cooperation with the City Government of Batac (CGB) and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is conducting a 160-hour t-shirt and sportswear sewing course on August 2-27, 2010 at the KALIPI Training Center.

The CGB-funded training is designed to provide participants with the skills in t-shirt and sportswear making which will be implemented through lectures and actual demonstration of the skills that will be imparted to the trainees. TESDA will provide technical assistance through Mrs. Pacita V. Vallesteros, an accredited trainer of TESDA Ilocos Norte who will train the twelve women trainees who are members of the different organizations under the KALIPI.

In his message during the opening program held on August 2, 2010, City Mayor Jeffrey Jubal C. Nalupta informed the participants of the big demand for t-shirt and sportswear production. As a manifestation, he further cited the vanity of the Bataqueños in the affairs and events of the city.

He had observed that the high speed sewing machines, which were acquired during the administration of Mayor Jesus R. Nalupta, Sr., were only used during trainings. Because of this Mayor Nalupta plans to put up a permanent building to house these machines. According to him, the provision of the shelter for the machines will provide an assurance to their functionality. This plan was conceptualized during his recent dialogue with the TESDA officials.

The Mayor further appealed to the trainees to maintain the quality of their output in lieu of his possible recommendations to the City Government of Batac, the Batac National High School, the different women’s organizations and other groups which may have a need for t-shirts and sportswear.

The City Agriculture Office (CAO) and the entire Barangay Pimentel Council and Zanjera conducted the maiden harvesting of Pangasius, the first in the Ilocos Region on July 16, 2010. They were able to harvest 288 pieces of big and healthy Pangasius yielding a total weight of 80 kilograms which were sold at P200.00 per kilo for an introductory price. This was realized despite the devastation of some of the fish cages brought by typhoons in the later part of 2009 which greatly affected the critical growing stage of the fingerlings.

The CAO, together with City Mayor Jeffrey Jubal C. Nalupta, was early on equipped with the technology behind the culture of Pangasius through an educational field trip at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Fisheries Training Center (BFAR-RFTC) in Aparri, Cagayan. This freshwater fish inhabiting the flowing waters of Mekong River in Vietnam was first introduced in the Philippines by the BFAR Research Station in Tanay, Rizal in 1981. It was popularly known then as “shark catfish” because of its sharp dorsal fin.

Fascinated with its appearance, Mayor Nalupta was determined to venture into this high value fish production for freshwater aquaculture. Thus he suggested trying to culture the fish at the city’s small water impounding project (SWIP) particularly in Pimentel, which holds the biggest volume of impounded water among the established SWIPs in the City, making it ideal for fish production. Furthermore, he advised the City Agriculture Office to request for the training on Pangasius Fish Cage Design and Culture from BFAR.

BFAR RFTC granted the request of LGU Batac City as the beneficiary for the project. Miss Milagros Morales, director of BFAR RFTC in Aparri, Cagayan said that Batac’s maiden implementation of culturing Pangasius in fish cages at SWIPs will be the first if it succeeds.

Director Morales through LGU Batac’s Agriculture staff facilitated the acquisition of 2,500 Pangasius fingerlings from BFAR Tanay, Rizal sometime in September 2009. The fingerlings were stocked in fish cages specially made and designed for the culture of the fish. Feeds and other logistics were provided by the City Government of Batac while feeding, maintenance and safekeeping were the counterpart of the beneficiaries.

Pangasius is called by many names: Siamese shark, sutchi catfish, swai, white or striped catfish. Scientifically called Pangasius hypopthalamus, these slender, elongated silverish to bluish-bodied fishes that grows up to 4 feet in length and weighs up to a maximum of 44 kilograms have been making waves in the international market because they are processed into fillets.

Re-elected City Mayor Jeffrey Jubal C. Nalupta forgoes anew the usual celebration of the Independence Day for the re-launching of the “Save the Quiaoit River, Save our Mountains and Watersheds Project”.

In his speech before the city employees in Monday’s flag ceremony, Mayor Nalupta announced the re-launch of the project and invoked the participation of the employees.  He ordered Engrs. Nelson Diculen and Ferdinand Casil of the City Agriculture Office to identify a site for the tree planting activity.

Mahogany seedlings stocked at the City Nursery will be planted on the launch as he is yet to outsource a supplier for narra seedlings.

In anticipation of the worse effects of global warming and climate change; in response to undue denudation of our mountains and forestlands; and the intermittent floodings in our flatlands, the City Government of Batac has launched its most socially-relevant and attuned with the times environmental advocacy, with the “Save the Quiaoit River… our mountains and watershed project”, during last year’s Independence Day Celebration.

The project, spearheaded by the City Government of Batac, the Mariano Marcos State University and the Batac Water District to save the Quiaoit River, has expanded its scope as it now covers the other mountains and watershed areas of the city.

The 2nd Batac City Farmers' Festival which was conducted last May 3-8, 2010 gained appreciation and positive comments from most of the spectators in spite of the hectiv and critical schedules which were encountered.

The fact that this was conducted before the national and local elections and at the height of the election campaign, still, the City Government through its agriculture office made the 2nd City Farmers' Festival as successful if not more successful than the 1st City Farmers' Festival.

Various activities were undertaken. It was not just a repetition of what were done in the past year, but many more were added to facilitate the interest by all the viewers. Farmers, women and youth were encouraged to participate in all the rest of the prepared activities to let them feel their importance and inculcate in their minds that the festival is intended for them as a means to recognize their vital role in promoting agricultural and economic development in our City.

Pressing activities like float preparation, putting up of booths, street dancing, dance showdown, most decorated carabao parade, Search for Batac Farmers' Festival Queen 2010, among others require leadership skills and  capabilities. All these are manifested in the quality of work and participation of the concerned leaders not only in the barangays but also the entire City Governance.

Nonetheless, the 2nd Famers' Festival is another great achievement for the City Government of Batac and we are proud to say that ours is one of a kind.

Two farmers from the City of Batac landed in the top five highest yielder of SL-8H, a Super Hybrid Rice variety in the recently concluded “Search for outstanding SL-8H Hybrid Rice this Dry Season 0910 in the Key Provinces of the Philippines” conducted by SL AgriTech Corporation,  producer and distributor of SL-8H Super Hybrid Rice variety.

Mr. Ronald Macalma, a young farmer from Baligat, City of Batac, bagged the first place with an actual yield of 251 cavans per hectare. He surpassed the productivity level of some outstanding rice producers in Ilocos Norte and in Region I, following the recommende technology promoted by the City Agriculture Office, the Provincial Agriculture Office, Department of Agriculture and the SL AgriTech technicians.

Most of all he has been using this variety since 2002 when it was newly introduced in the area. He was able to perfect utility of this hybrid rice and he did not stop using this when he found out that the yield doubled the productivity of Inbred Certified Palay Seeds.

Mr. Ronald Macalma and the other winners received cash awards. He was awarded P30,000.00 cash and plaque. The other winners who likewise received cash awards and plaques are the following: Mr. Claudio C. agcaoili of Brgy. 7 Vintar, 2nd place with 226 cav/ha. Yield; Mr. Antonio A. Visitacion of Tambidao, Bacarra, 3rd place with 195.8 cav/ha yield. Engr. Richard Pungtilan of Brgy. Baay, Batac City, 4th place with 192.33 cav/ha; and Mr. Jay R. Agcaoili of Brgy. 7 Vintar, 5th place with 157.28 cav/ha yield.

The corresponding City Agricultural Officer/Municipal Agricultural Officers and Agricultural Technologists of the winners likewise received cash prizes as incentive for  the support they have rendered to the farmer-winners. Awarding ceremonies was conducted and sponsored by the SLAgriTech Corporation on June 18,2010 at the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol Auditorium.

Re-elected City Mayor Jeffrey Jubal C. Nalupta forgoes anew the usual celebration of the Independence Day for the re-launching of the “Save the Quiaoit River, Save our Mountains and Watersheds Project”.

In his speech before the city employees in Monday’s flag ceremony, Mayor Nalupta announced the re-launch of the project and invoked the participation of the employees.  He ordered Engrs. Nelson Diculen and Ferdinand Casil of the City Agriculture Office to identify a site for the tree planting activity.

Mahogany seedlings stocked at the City Nursery will be planted on the launch as he is yet to outsource a supplier for narra seedlings.

In anticipation of the worse effects of global warming and climate change; in response to undue denudation of our mountains and forestlands; and the intermittent floodings in our flatlands, the City Government of Batac has launched its most socially-relevant and attuned with the times environmental advocacy, with the “Save the Quiaoit River… our mountains and watershed project”, during last year’s Independence Day Celebration.

The project, spearheaded by the City Government of Batac, the Mariano Marcos State University and the Batac Water District to save the Quiaoit River, has expanded its scope as it now covers the other mountains and watershed areas of the city.

The City Government of Batac (CGB) has accommodated 113 Freshmen City Scholars and 86 High School Scholars for the School Year 2010-2011. The college scholars are enrolled in the different colleges of the Mariano Marcos State University, Batac and Laoag Campuses while the High School Scholars enrolled both in the private and national high schools in the City of Batac.

From the 8 batches of college scholars, 44 had graduated. At present, out of the 471 scholars of the CGB, 113 are freshmen, 77 are sophomores, 42 are juniors and 25 are seniors. In addition, out of 214 High School Scholars, 14 are fourth year, 47 are third year, 68 are second year and 86 are first year.

The regular college scholars are enjoying free tuition fees and a monthly allowance of 700.00 to 1200.00. (700.00 for non-Education Courses and 1200 for students taking up Education Course). Moreover, the High School Scholars are receiving 5000.00 yearly allowance.

A maintaining grade of 2.5 every semester and 85 are required for the college and high school scholars, respectively for them to continue enjoying the privileges given to them by the CGB.

The College Scholarship Program of the CGB has been in operation for seven (7) years. It started in the year 2003 through Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 58 series of 2003 entitled “A Resolution Adopting the Mechanics for the Operation and Administration of the Municipality of Batac, Ilocos Norte Scholarship and Financial Grantees Program” authored by the then Sangguniang Bayan Member Ronald Allan M. Nalupta on March 17, 2003.

Moreover, the High School Scholarship was started on 2007 through Ordinance No. SPO 2007-05 entitled “An Ordinance Establishing the High School/Secondary Scholarship Program of the City Government of Batac and Providing Funds Thereof” which was also authored by the Vice-Mayor Ronald Allan M. Nalupta on September 11, 2007.

Coinciding with the yuletide season, the fiesta celebration runs from December 8 to December 30, 2009.

This month-long celebration comes at a time as the city government strengthens the call to green and inspire commitment of every Batacqueños to take active parts in the efforts to take care of Mother Earth.

It is a matter of survival – this is how crucial every individual contribution and commitment is, in addressing environmental concerns. We continue to face unprecedented array of perils but the short respite of festivities like this reinforces the more the capacity of the Batacqueños to rise to all challenges.

The Opening Day

December 8, Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. a Thanksgiving Mass in celebration of the feast in honor of the Immaculate Conception – the city’s patroness, herald the beginning of days of colour and fun.

Expectedly, local fiesta–goers and those from out of town crowded the main street and streets corners to watch the Civic Parade, from 3:30 p.m. onwards, with the gorgeous muses conveyed in carts and other participants wearing their ilocano/filipiniana costumes. To most, civic parade maybe viewed as a tradition or simply one of the usual practices, but certainly this is more than just a ritual. This gathering has a more transcendent meaning for it rests upon unity and cooperation among Batacqueños.

At 6:00 o’clock p.m. on the same day, around the hour of sunset, the Electric and Lights Parade was staged, and this was quite as interesting as anticipated. This is the 1st nighttime illuminated parade in the city. Participants in costumes depicting the gaiety and pageantry of Mardi Gras marched the main street with their glow products, battery powered lights and light reflectors as illuminations. Everybody seemed to have enjoyed a cool nighttime parade where floats were beautifully decorated and accented with colorful holiday lights. The elected officials led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta were a captivating sight in a platform mounted on a truck in their western cowboy costumes. Truly, it provided a magical experience for the whole community.

To take care of the evening entertainments, a brief program had been prepared in the front activity area of the Imelda Cultural Center. Dubbed in the past as “Rabii ti Ragragsak,” where city and barangay officials, schools, NGOs and NGAs  gather to bond and celebrate, the evening program this time was a perfect venue of performances and presentations where high schools showcased spectacular production numbers. A special feature was the Showdown of the Broadway Musicals of the Nine Clusters.

Worth mentioning was the message delivered by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta during the program where he underscored the substantial value of unity and solidarity in these difficult and trying times. He said that amidst all the adversaries that have come our way, rising to all the challenges is a fitting testimony of our strength as a community. He hastened to add that with solidarity among us, the City of Batac will proceed in the united pursuit for its growth and development.

Concluding the Opening of the 3rd City Fiesta 2009 was the Street Party taking place in the areas fronting the Imelda Cultural Center, the City Hall and the Riverside Empanadaan. It was a night of dancing and partying.

The fun has just started. The Fiesta includes other major presentations that will certainly rack up attendance. There’s excitement and anticipation in the air as the City Government is due to host open-air free concerts and dance extravaganza. Lots of events including nightly variety shows are up.

May we all enjoy the festive mood in a happy, safe and peaceful manner.

Kudos to the fiesta organizers, chaired by Mayor Nalupta, for the marvelous spectacles.

The hope that this year’s celebration would outdo the previous years is forthcoming given the truly remarkable performances.

With its rating of 98.75%, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Batac is qualified to compete at the Regional Level of the 2009 Local Legislative Awards, Component City Category, having met the requirement that only contestants with Overall Performance Rating of not lower than 80 percent are eligible to vie in the regional level.

As a backgrounder, the said award system is a program of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL), in partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the primary objective of which is to accord official recognition to the Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguniang Bayan that excel in legislative laws which ultimately contribute to the attainment of desirable socio-economic and environmental outcomes.

The search covers National, Regional and Provincial levels. An Awards Committee evaluates the Sanggunian based on the following criteria:
• Effectiveness of the Legislative Agenda
• Effectiveness of the Legislative Tracking System
• Availability of Legislative Documents
• Efficiency of Performance of the Sanggunian
• Quality of Office Set-up and Staff Complement

Upon official notification of the said award, Vice Mayor Ronald Allan M. Nalupta, the Chief of the Legislative Department of the City Government of Batac, expressed elation as he commended the worthy members of the City Council, the Secretariat and legislative staff for the noteworthy achievement. He thanked the Provincial Awards Committee, chaired by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Mario Ratuita, for recognizing the exemplary performance of the Sanggunian. He said that the award will inspire more the Sangguniang Panlungsod to undertake and strengthen its task to legislate measures that would help build the foundation of meaningful local administration and development.

For the first year of joining the Search,  the City of Batac was awarded as 2nd place in the 2008 Search for Outstanding Cities & Provinces implementing Nutrition Program in Region I.

The Search is conducted annually by the National Nutrition Council in order to assess the efficiency of local level plan implementation  for the past year , as indicated by the  outreach  activities undertaken relative to the local nutrition action plan; funds allocated and spent, as well as the management and support given by local executives and other implementing agencies;  and  to determine the extent to which nutrition is  integrated into local development plans and programs.

San Fernando City won the first place while Laoag City was awarded as the Third Place.  On the part of the Province,  Ilocos Sur bested Ilocos Norte by  just a matter of 0.24points. Pangasinan  landed third while La Union maintained the Nutrition Honor Award,  being a Consistent Awardee for a period of three years.

The awardees received  their corresponding awards during the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony held at the DBM Conference Hall, San Fernando City, La Union on November 10 2009 with General Leopoldo N. Bataoil, Retired Police Director,PNP Diretorate for Police Community Relation as Guest of Honor and Speaker.