By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff Reporter
Batac City—In a bid to teach schoolchildren here this city’s history, the Sangguniang Panlungsod has requested the Department of Education (DepEd) thru schools division superintendent Dr. Joel Lopez to integrate the city’s history as part of their curriculum in all levels.
Batac has been known to as “The Home of Great Leaders”, as many significant historical figures in the history of the Philippines were born or raised here.
Batac, as a town, was founded by the Augustinians in 1587 and is considered to be one of the oldest towns of the old Ilocos.
From its classification as fourth class municipality in July 1987 to a first-class municipality in November 2005, Batac proved its strong development, leading it to achieve its dream of cityhood.
Batac councilor Kichel Jomarie Pungtilan, who sponsored the measure, said teaching the history of Batac in schools will give students an idea about the works, contributions and heroism of city’s popular figures in the country including former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., Bishop Gregorio Aglipay, and Gen. Artemio Ricarte among others.
Ms. Pungtilan said incorporating the city’s history in the DepEd curriculum will help the students understand the change and societal development of Batac.
She added that the measure will integrate the history of Batac in the different subject areas to further enhance the nationalism and patriotism of the Batacqueños.
Batac Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Atty. Windell D. Chua welcomed the measure, as he was also one of the main sponsors.
“Napintas a gakat daytoy ta even me during meetings especially dagiti events iti Batac ket kasla saan unay a maipabpalaak iti talaga nga istorya iti Batac ket that is part of the tourism and public information,” Mr. Chua said.
With this resolution, the vice mayor said that the history of Batac will soon be incorporated in the DepEd curriculum here.