Batac

Batac is a component city in Ilocos Norte, known worldwide as the birthplace of Ferdinand Marcos, the 10th President of the Philippines. The city preserves the Marcos family's ancestral home and the controversial Marcos Museum and Mausoleum, where the former president's embalmed body is displayed. Batac is also an agricultural centre for rice and tobacco. Population about 58,000.

Batac is on the main north–south route through Ilocos Norte, 30 minutes south of Laoag by jeepney or bus.

Tricycles and jeepneys serve the town centre.

• Marcos Museum and Mausoleum (Marcos Avenue) — The former Marcos ancestral home, now a museum displaying memorabilia from the Marcos family. The mausoleum contains the embalmed body of Ferdinand Marcos. Entry free. Open daily 9AM–5PM. Photography is restricted inside the mausoleum.

• Batac Church (Immaculate Conception Parish) — A Spanish-era church with a distinct red-brick bell tower.

• Batac Riverside — A landscaped promenade along the Quiaoit River, popular for evening walks.

• Visit the Marcos heritage trail — The museum, the Marcos ancestral house, and a monument in the town plaza.

• Tobacco farm tours — Arrange through the city tourism office.

• Royal Pochon (Marcos Avenue) — Chinese-Filipino food. Famous for its pancit canton and lumpia. Meals ₱200–400.
• Batac Empanada stalls — The local version of the Ilocos empanada, orange and crispy with longganisa and egg. ₱50–80.

• Basi available in local stores.

• Budget: Lyf Hotel (Marcos Avenue, rooms from ₱800).
• Mid-range: Villa de Marcos Hotel (rooms from ₱1,500).

• Batac Public Market — Known for the Batac longganisa (garlicky pork sausage), which is considered among the best in the Ilocos region.

• Paoay (20 min north) — UNESCO Paoay Church and sand dunes.
• Laoag (30 min north) — Ilocos Norte capital.
• Vigan (1 hour south) — UNESCO World Heritage City.