A Comprehensive History of the Municipality of Batad, Iloilo
Origins and the Name "Batad"
Long before Spanish colonizers set foot on Panay Island, the area that would become Batad was already home to indigenous communities. The earliest inhabitants were the Ati people -- Negrito aboriginal groups who migrated to the region roughly 25,000 years ago via ancient land bridges from Southeast Asia. Later waves of Austronesian (Malay) settlers arrived and built flourishing agricultural and trading communities in the lowlands of northern Iloilo.
One such settlement was called Dulangan, meaning "landing place." It was a busy trading port where Arab and Chinese merchants bartered silverware for native gold (bulawan) and cowries (sigay). When the Spaniards arrived, they Hispanized the name to Embarcadero and made it a barrio of Balasan. According to local oral history recorded by the League of Municipalities, Muslim raiders attacked the port one day and burned it to the ground. The displaced inhabitants moved inland, where they established a new barrio named Batad-batad -- after a type of shell that was abundant in the area. Their cabeza de barangay at the time was Bautista Villalobos.
As the population grew, people eventually transferred to the present town site, and the old settlement came to be known as Daan Banwa (Old Town) or Batad Viejo -- a name one of its 24 barangays still carries today.
The Spanish and American Colonial Periods
Under Spanish rule beginning in the 1560s, northern Iloilo was integrated into the provincial colonial administration. Iloilo became a major center for shipbuilding (its yards built some of the earliest Manila galleons), textile weaving, and agricultural exports. Batad's communities contributed to this colonial economy through farming and minor coastal trade.
When the Americans took over in 1901, sweeping administrative reorganizations reshaped the province. Act No. 719 in 1903 reduced Iloilo's municipalities from 51 to just 17, and Batad was absorbed as a barrio (arrabal) of Balasan. American-era land surveys under the Public Land Act of 1903 formalized property titles and spurred rice and coconut farming in the area, setting the groundwork for future growth. According to Grokipedia, the 1903 census recorded Batad's population at just 2,133 people.
Birth of the Municipality (1949)
Though Batad was a progressive barrio, it wasn't until after World War II that it gained full municipal status. On October 30, 1949 (some records cite Executive Order No. 254 signed August 5, 1949), President Elpidio Quirino created the Municipality of Batad, separating it from Balasan through the efforts of Congressman Juan V. Borra.
The newly carved municipality originally comprised 25 barrios, including Alapasco, Alinsolong, Banban, Batad Viejo, Binon-an, Embarcadero, and Zaragosa, among others. In 1950, the barrio of Zaragosa was transferred back to Balasan under Republic Act No. 558, solidifying the 24-barangay framework that persists today. As reported by Wikipedia, 19 of these barangays are inland and 5 are coastal.
Politics and Local Governance
Early Political Leaders
The town's first Mayor was Don Evaristo Cuenca, one of the champions who fought for Batad's township. He was succeeded by his son-in-law, Cesar Militar, who later rose to become a provincial board member. This early political leadership set the tone for a municipality deeply shaped by local family ties and community-driven governance.
Modern Administration
Today, Batad is a 4th-class municipality (recently reclassified from 5th class) in Iloilo's 5th congressional district. As of the 2025 elections, the municipality is led by:
- Mayor: Elvira P. Alarcon
- Vice Mayor: Steven Michael Andrada
- Congressional Representative: Binky April M. Tupas
The Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council) consists of eight elected members who enact ordinances, approve budgets, and oversee community programs. According to ABS-CBN's Halalan results, the 2025 registered electorate numbered 15,603 voters, reflecting strong civic engagement.
The 75th Founding Anniversary Coronation Ball in 2024 showcased the municipality's flair for grand civic celebrations, with Mayor Alarcon welcoming a host of provincial dignitaries.
Economy and Agriculture
The "Corn Capital of Iloilo"
Agriculture is the lifeblood of Batad. The municipality is proudly known as the "Corn Capital of Iloilo" owing to its roughly 600 hectares of corn plantations -- covering nearly half the town's land area. Corn is Batad's official OTOP (One Town, One Product), and average corn production reached a high of 16,900 metric tons in 2019, according to the Municipal Agricultural Office.
Beyond corn, farmers cultivate rice, sugarcane, root crops, vegetables, and fruits. Livestock raising (poultry and swine) supplements household income in inland barangays.
Cornhusk Cottage Industry
One of Batad's most innovative economic stories is the transformation of corn waste into livelihood. Research led by Prof. Hene L. Hapinat of NISU Batad Campus demonstrated that cornhusks -- normally burned or left to rot -- can be dyed and crafted into novelty items such as flowers, wreaths, bags, coasters, and Christmas decorations. With just PHP 100 (around USD 2) in raw materials, a crafter can produce PHP 1,000 worth of products. The Batad Farmers' Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center, in partnership with NISU and the Department of Agriculture, has conducted extensive livelihood training for non-working mothers, out-of-school youth, persons with disabilities, and farmer cooperatives. The cornhusk novelty products have even secured an Intellectual Property trademark (Certificate No. 508581) from IPOPHL.
Fishing and Coastal Economy
Batad's 5 coastal barangays -- Alinsolong, Banban, Binon-an, Embarcadero, and Salong -- sustain a vibrant fishing sector along the Visayan Sea. Small-scale municipal fishers target prawns, crabs, and various fish species using traditional gears like bamboo crab pots and gillnets. Dried fish and other marine products are processed and sold within and beyond the municipality. According to a ResearchGate study, the municipality hosts large seagrass and seaweed beds critical for marine biodiversity, prompting community-based "Ridge-to-Reef" conservation programs.
Economic Indicators
- Income Class: 4th class municipality
- Total Revenue (2022): PHP 131.1 million (text appears truncated)
- Total Assets (2022): PHP 388.5 million (text appears truncated)
- Poverty Incidence: 27% in 2021, down from 57.92% in 2000, showing a significant reduction over two decades.
The dramatic drop in poverty incidence from nearly 58% in 2000 to 27% in 2021 -- as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority -- reflects real progress, though challenges remain as this rate is still above the Iloilo provincial average.
Education
From Vocational School to State University
Education in Batad has come a long way. The story begins in 1965 with the establishment of the Batad National and Vocational High School (BNAVHS) under Republic Act 4173. Spanning nearly 53 hectares, the school officially opened in 1971. By 1976, it launched a two-year Associate in Agricultural Technology program, which evolved into a full Bachelor of Science in Agriculture by 1980.
In 1992, a major merger with Batad Barangay High School created the Batad Polytechnic College, offering new bachelor's degrees in Education, Agriculture, and Industrial Education. In 2000, the college was integrated into the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC). Then, in a landmark moment on April 26, 2022, the Commission on Higher Education approved its conversion into the Northern Iloilo State University (NISU).
Today, the NISU Batad Campus offers Level II-accredited programs in:
• Bachelor of Secondary Education (Mathematics and English)
• Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education (Home Economics, ICT)
• Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Crop and Animal Science)
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
The campus also features a Dragon Fruit Farm, a research center, and a FITS office, functioning as a hub for agricultural research and community technology transfer.
Basic Education
The municipality is served by the Batad Schools District Office overseeing multiple schools, including:
• Batad Central Elementary School (the main public elementary school)
• Batad National High School (the primary public secondary school)
• Batad St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic School (a private parochial institution under the Archdiocese of Jaro)
• Several primary schools across barangays like Alapasco, Banban, Caw-i, Malico, and others
As listed on Wikipedia, there are 15 primary/elementary schools and 4 secondary schools serving the municipality's youth.
Culture, Fiesta, and Festivals
The Feast of San Vicente Ferrer (Patron Saint Fiesta)
Batad is predominantly Roman Catholic, with the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church in Poblacion serving as its spiritual center. Established in 1956 under the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Jaro, the parish is dedicated to the Dominican friar and preacher San Vicente Ferrer. The annual fiesta is celebrated on or around April 5, marked by solemn masses, grand processions, communal feasts, and cultural performances that draw the entire community together.
The Panulo Festival
Launched in 2024 during the municipality's 75th Founding Anniversary, the Panulo Festival celebrates a beloved traditional practice: panulo -- the nighttime method of catching fish, crabs, and other aquatic creatures using torches (sulo) along the shores and fields. According to Grokipedia, the festival features torch-lit parades, street dances depicting fishing and farming narratives, fashion shows, and inter-barangay competitions.
The festival's 2nd edition was held in August 2025 alongside the 76th Founding Anniversary, and its success has cemented it as a signature celebration for Batad -- with events including OFW Family Day, drama contests, and coronation balls. The name Panulo powerfully evokes the symbiosis between Batad's inland and coastal communities.
The Tanum-Ani Festival
Closely associated with the NISU Batad Campus, the Tanum-Ani Festival (meaning "plant-harvest") is a celebration of agriculture that coincides with the university's founding anniversary. The 2026 edition marked NISU's 61st anniversary, featuring mass dance contests, singing competitions, and street dancing -- all centered on themes of harvest, gratitude, and rural pride.
Founding Anniversary Celebrations
Each year around late July to early August, the municipality celebrates its Founding Anniversary with a week-long program that includes:
• Coronation balls for the Fiesta Queen
• Agricultural trade fairs (the Farmers and Fishery Agri-Trade Fair)
• Cultural and beauty pageants
• Sports tournaments
• Community outreach and civic activities
Fishing and Coastal Life
Batad's eastern coastline faces the Visayan Sea, and fishing has been intertwined with the community's identity since pre-colonial times. The five coastal barangays serve as home ports for small-scale fishers who ply the rich waters using gillnets, bamboo pots, and hook-and-line methods.
Marine conservation has become increasingly important. The municipality hosts significant seagrass and seaweed beds -- vital marine habitats that serve as nurseries for fish and other species. The FFTC-AP documented a community-based "Ridge-to-Reef" biodiversity conservation program in Batad that aims to strengthen land, forest, and reef management through participatory approaches.
Fish processing -- particularly dried fish -- is a cottage industry in the coastal barangays, with products sold in neighboring towns and across Western Visayas.
Geography and Natural Attractions
Batad covers 53.10 square kilometers and sits about 122 km north of Iloilo City. Its terrain ranges from flat coastal plains to rolling hills reaching up to 630 meters in elevation. Major features include:
• Alapasco Dam -- A large reservoir constructed between 1993 and 1997, measuring 264.9 meters long and 21 meters high. Located in Sitio Luy-a, Barangay Bulak Sur, it serves as both an irrigation facility and an eco-tourism destination, complete with a golden tilapia hatchery and paddleboat activities. As described by mybeautifulILOILO, it may be the biggest constructed dam in Iloilo Province.
• Magalumpi Island -- An uninhabited island a 15-minute pumpboat ride from Barangay Tanao, offering pristine snorkeling and swimming in turquoise waters, with the island barangays of Concepcion, Estancia, and Carles as a scenic backdrop.
• Tabunan Beach in Barangay Binon-an -- white sand and clear waters for swimming and picnics.
• Balantian River -- flows through the municipality before draining into the Visayan Sea, shaping the local floodplain landscape.
Population and Demographics
Batad's population has grown steadily over more than a century:
Source: PhilAtlas / Philippine Statistics Authority
The recent plateau in growth likely reflects out-migration to urban centers, a common trend in rural Philippine municipalities. The primary language is Hiligaynon, with Filipino and English used in official and educational contexts.
Looking Ahead
Batad stands at an interesting crossroads. Its poverty incidence has been cut in half over two decades, its state college has become a full university, and innovative programs like the cornhusk cottage industry show how traditional agriculture can spark new livelihoods. The recently launched Panulo Festival is breathing new cultural energy into the community, while marine conservation efforts are safeguarding the coastal resources that generations of fishers depend on.
For a small municipality of just over 22,000 people, tucked into the northern tip of Iloilo Province, Batad punches well above its weight -- in agricultural identity, educational ambition, and community spirit.
References and Sources
Government and Institutional Sources
1. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) - City and Municipal-Level Poverty Estimates, 2021
https://www.psa.gov.ph/content/psa-releases-2021-city-and-municipal-level-poverty-estimates
2. Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), Department of Finance - FY 2022 Internal Revenue Allotment and National Tax Allotment Data
https://blgf.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/By-LGU-ARI-and-Dependencies-2022.xlsx
3. Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) - FY 2017 20% IRA Utilization for Local Development Fund (Municipality)
https://blgf.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FY-2019-SGLG_20-IRA-Utilization_Municipality-1.pdf
4. Commission on Audit (COA) - 2023 Annual Financial Report for the Local Government, Volume I
https://www.scribd.com/document/894415552/2023-Annual-Financial-Report-for-the-Local-Government-Including-Bangsamoro-Government-Volume-I
5. Department of Budget and Management (DBM) - Local Budget Circular No. 159, July 16, 2024
https://www.dbm.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/Issuances/2024/Local-Budget-Circular/LOCAL-BUDGET-CIRCULAR-NO-159-DATED-JULY-16-2024.pdf
6. Iloilo Provincial Government - Full Disclosure Policy 2026
https://iloilo.gov.ph/en/fulldisclosure2026
7. Iloilo Provincial Government - P6M for Batad's Resilience Hub
https://www.iloilo.gov.ph/en/infrastructure-news/p6-m-batads-resilience-hub
8. DSWD Field Office - Sustainable Livelihood Program
https://fo1.dswd.gov.ph/programs/poverty-reduction-programs/sustainable-livelihood-program/
9. DOLE - TUPAD Program is Free, Fair (Philippine Information Agency)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/dole-reaffirms-tupad-program-is-free-fair/
10. DPWH - Farm-to-Market Road Completion in Northern Iloilo (Philippine Information Agency)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/dpwh-completes-farm-to-market-road-in-northern-iloilo/
11. ABS-CBN Halalan Results - Batad, Iloilo 2025 Election Data
https://halalanresults.abs-cbn.com/local/iloilo/batad
12. Asian Development Bank (ADB) - Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Impact Evaluation (Supplementary Document)
https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/linked-documents/52257-001-sd-02.pdf
Academic and Research Sources
13. Hapinat, Hene L. - "Cornhusks Novelty Products: Gateway Towards Sustainable Cottage Livelihood Opportunity in Batad, Iloilo, Philippines." FFTC Agricultural Policy Platform (FFTC-AP).
https://ap.fftc.org.tw/article/2711
14. ResearchGate - "From Ridge-to-Reef: A Community-Based Participatory Approach to Biodiversity Conservation of Marine Resources in Batad, Iloilo, Philippines."
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370634156
15. Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research / Academia.edu - "The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Iloilo, Philippines: An Evaluation."
https://www.academia.edu/64719509/The_Pantawid_Pamilyang_Pilipino_Program_4Ps_in_Iloilo_Philippines_An_Evaluation
Educational Institutions
16. Northern Iloilo State University (NISU) - Batad Campus History and Programs
https://www.nisu.edu.ph/index.php/external-campuses/batad-campus
Encyclopedic and Reference Sources
17. Wikipedia - "Batad, Iloilo"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batad,_Iloilo
18. Grokipedia - "Batad, Iloilo"
https://grokipedia.com/page/batad_iloilo
19. PhilAtlas - Batad, Iloilo Population and Demographics
https://www.philatlas.com/visayas/r06/iloilo/batad.html
20. Scribd - Iloilo Municipality Income Classes (Document)
https://www.scribd.com/document/239701391/Iloilo-Income-Class-Complete
News and Media Sources
21. Daily Guardian - "Batad's Coronation Ball Shines with Elegance"
https://dailyguardian.com.ph/batads-coronation-ball-shines-with-elegance/
22. Daily Guardian - "More than 150k Western Visayas Households Benefit from 4Ps"
https://dailyguardian.com.ph/more-than-150k-western-visayas-households-benefit-from-4ps/
23. VERA Files - "The Habal-Habal is Changing the Rural Landscape"
https://verafiles.org/articles/habal-habal-changing-rural-landscape
24. BusinessWorld (via Facebook) - "Across the Philippines, the Humble Habal-Habal..."
https://www.facebook.com/BWorldPH/posts/1217593047061651
25. Inquirer.net - "82,000 Families in Western Visayas Complete 4Ps Program"
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1925054/82000-families-in-western-visayas-complete-4ps-program
26. Manila Bulletin - "58,360 Families Rejoin 4Ps in Western Visayas"
https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/25/58-360-families-rejoin-4-ps-in-western-visayas
27. Philippine News Agency (PNA) - Sustainable Livelihood Program in Iloilo
https://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/1267923
Blogs and Local Content
28. Iloilo Blogger She Mae (Shemae Gomez) - "The Municipality of Batad"
https://shemaegomez.com/batad/
29. mybeautifulILOILO Blog - Alapasco Dam and Iloilo Dam Features
http://mybeautifuliloilo.blogspot.com/2012/08/in-many-towns-acrossthe-province-of_1.html
30. ParishPH - St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, Batad, Iloilo
https://www.parishph.com/2022/06/st-vincent-ferrer-parish-batad-iloilo.html
Social Media / Community Pages
31. Saint Vincent Ferrer Parish - Batad, Iloilo (Facebook Page)
https://www.facebook.com/svfpcmbatad/
32. Municipality of Batad Culture Arts History and Tourism Office (Facebook Page)
https://www.facebook.com/p/Municipality-of-Batad-Culture-Arts-History-and-Tourism-Office-61558405434255/
33. Batad Fisheries (Facebook Page)
https://www.facebook.com/p/Batad-Fisheries-61576726162106/
34. Tanum-Ani Festival 2026 / NISU 61st Founding Anniversary (Facebook Video)
https://www.facebook.com/PJtravel26/posts/1229148286051571/
35. Balita Kapitolyo (Iloilo Provincial Capitol News) - Batad Infrastructure and News Posts
https://www.facebook.com/balita.kapitolyo
36. DILG Iloilo Province - 2024 Good Financial Housekeeping Passers
https://www.facebook.com/dilgiloiloprovince/posts/991442649833401/
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