Batan, Aklan

Batan
Municipality
Batan swamp
Location within Aklan province
Batan Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 11°35′N 122°30′E / 11.58°N 122.5°E / 11.58; 122.5Coordinates: 11°35′N 122°30′E / 11.58°N 122.5°E / 11.58; 122.5
Country	Philippines
Region	Western Visayas (Region VI)
Province	Aklan
District	Lone district
Barangays	20 (see Barangays)
Government [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Delfina Ramos
Area[2]
• Total	79.22 km2 (30.59 sq mi)
Population (2015 census)[3]
• Total	32,032
• Density	400/km2 (1,000/sq mi)
• Voter (2016)[4]	21,450
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
Income class	4th class
PSGC	060404000
Website	www.batan.gov.ph

Batan, officially the Municipality of Batan (Aklanon: Banwa it Batan; Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Batan; Filipino: Bayan ng Batan), is a municipality in the province of Aklan in the Western Visayas (Region VI) of the Philippines. The population was 32,032 at the 2015 census.^[3] In the 2016 election, it had 21,450 registered voters.^[4]

History

Pre-Hispanic period

Batan was believed to be the seat of the government of Datu Bendahara Kalantiaw III, the promulgator of the Code of Kalantiaw in 1433.^[5] The code is a collection of 17 laws used during the time of the Datu before the coming of the Spaniards.^[6]

Spanish colonial era

Batan is one of oldest towns founded in Aklan. Batan was formerly an encomienda of Miguel Rodriguez in 1591. The parish in Batan was established by the Augustinians in 1601 under the patronage of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception.^[7] Batan was first incorporated to Aclan or Aklan (now Kalibo) in 1603 and in 1789 it became an independent municipality. In 1903, Batan was again incorporated to the new town of New Washington and became independent again in 1931.^[5]

Independent Philippines

In 1957, the Kalantiaw National Shrine marker was erected by the Philippine Historical and Cultural Society to honor the significance of Datu Kalantiaw where it displays a copy of the “original manuscript” of the Code. It was built in this former school building near the port which houses the province's historical mementos and antiques, including the original manuscript of the code which the Spaniards obtained from an old chief and translated.^[5] In 2004 however, after years of investigation and historical findings, the National Historical Institute concluded that the Code of Kalantiaw was fake and a hoax. Remnants of the Kalantiaw National Shrine marker still remain in Batan.

Geography

Batan is located at 11°35′N 122°30′E / 11.58°N 122.5°E / 11.58; 122.5.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 79.22 square kilometres (30.59 sq mi)^[2] constituting 7000435000000099999♠4.35% of the 1,821.42-square-kilometre- (703.25 sq mi) total area of Aklan.

Barangays

Batan is politically subdivided into 20 barangays.^[8]

Demographics

In the 2015 census, Batan had a population of 32,032.^[3] The population density was 400 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,000/sq mi).

In the 2016 election, it had 21,450 registered voters.^[4]

Local government

As of May 2016, the Batan local government unit is led by:

• Mayor — Rodell Ramos
• Vice-mayor — William Bautista, Jr.

Members of the Sangguniang Bayan of the Lone District of Batan:

• Anna Lisa Panado
• Joena Parco
• Rina Sarceno
• Adam Mamay
• Eric del Rosario
• Myrlin Cortes
• Dennis Perlas

Education

• Batan Integrated College of Technology (formerly BCC or Batan Community College)

Attractions

Kalantiaw Shrine Bridge

• Tinago Lake — also known as Tinagong Dagat, located between the town (near Brgys. Ipil and Tabon) and Altavas. It is an 8-kilometre (5.0 mi) long and 4-kilometre (2.5 mi) wide "hidden sea" hidden from Batan Bay by two islands. Fringed with mangroves and thick undergrowth, it has a rocky beach and is one of the province's rich fishing grounds. It is also ideal for speed boating and water skiing.
• Ob-Ob Hill — The 200-metre (660 ft) high, rocky Ob-Ob Hill, located east of the Poblacion in barangay Songcolan, has a sweeping view of the Sibuyan Sea, fishponds and rice fields. At the foot of the hill is a beach ideal for underwater cave divers and water sports enthusiasts.
• Kalantiaw National Shrine Marker — a historical marker named after Datu Bendahara Kalantiaw III, third chief of Panay, who instituted a legal code here in 1433.
• Mambuquiao Marine Protected Area and Fish Sanctuary — an existing reef turned into a fish sanctuary. Locally called pito, it has the highest live coral cover in Salian Bay. It is ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving.
• Macawiwili Mountains — located in Barangay Lalab
• Putting Bato — a protected area for wildlife in Barangay Angas
• Pandan Hills — verdant hills in Bay-ang overlooking the Sibuyan Sea
• Old Spanish relics — from the Spanish colonization period such as the Spanish cannon, Spanish distilleries and old Spanish cemeteries with brick facade
• Aroma Beach Resort
• The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception — one of the oldest churches in Aklan

Batan also has several beaches, abundant marine life, seafood (Batan is known for its crabs, lobster, and shrimps), coconut products, grain produce, root crops, fruits and large forests.^[5]

Festivals

• Santo Ninohan or Ati-atihan and Malakara Festival (in honor of the Holy Child) — celebrated every third Saturday and Sunday of January. This festival is similar with the well-known Ati-atihan of Kalibo. Its difference from Kalibo's Ati-atihan is that participants are required to use native and indigenous materials as the main component of their costumes.
• Immaculate Conception Batan's Municipal Fiesta (every December 8)
• Juez De cuchillo — held every 19 October to commemorate the capture and beheading of 79 innocent civilians in Batan on October 19, 1943 by the Japanese Imperial Army. A simple program is always held at the site of the building where the victims were slaughtered. A marker was established by local official and relatives of the victims of Japanese atrocities.^[11]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Batan, Aklan.

	New Washington	Sibuyan Sea
	Banga		Sapian Bay
		Batan
		Balete / Altavas	Sapian, Capiz

Province of Aklan
Kalibo (capital)
Municipalities	Altavas Balete Banga Batan Buruanga Ibajay Kalibo Lezo Libacao Madalag Makato Malay Malinao Nabas New Washington Numancia Tangalan