Batan, officially the Municipality of Batan (Aklanon: Banwa it Batan; Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Batan; ), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 33,484 people.

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. The code is a collection of 17 laws said to have been used during the time of the Datu before the coming of the Spaniards. The Code of Kalantiaw was later proven to be a fraud.

Spanish Colonial Era

Batan is one of the 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. Batan was first incorporated into 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.

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 on a former school building near the municipal seaport which houses the town's historical mementos and antiques, including the original manuscript of the code which the Spaniards obtained from an old chief and translated. 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, Aklan and the site area was renovated as a park for tourists and locals.

Geography

Batan is 49 km from the provincial capital of Kalibo and 51 km from Roxas City. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 79.22 km2 constituting NaN% of the 1,821.42 km2 total area of Aklan.

Climate

Barangays

Batan is politically subdivided into 20 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Demographics

In the 2020 census, Batan had a population of 33,484. The population density was undefined PD/km2.

Economy

Government

As of the May 2022 Philippine National and Local Elections, with 23,831 registered voters, Batan's local government unit is led by: • Mayor - Mike Ramos (NUP) • Vice Mayor - Bodjyk Demeterio (LAKAS) The members of the Sangguniang Bayan (Councilors) of the Lone District Batan are:

1. William Bautista Jr. (LAKAS)
2. Dr. Rina Ghaga Sarceno (NUP)
3. Nilo Bong Penalba (NUP)
4. Kap Nonong Jacinto (NUP)
5. Joy Ramos (LAKAS)
6. Adam Mamay (NUP)
7. Liezl Panado (LAKAS)
8. Davdav Sucgang (PDPLBN)

Tourism

Batan still has pristine beaches, abundant marine life, seafood (Batan is known for its crabs, lobsters, and shrimps), coconut products, grain produce, root crops, fruits, and large forests. If you're lucky, you can find or dig local edible clams called 'kagaykay' that can be found along Batan's shorelines especially in Brgy. Songcolan, Brgy. Mandong, Brgy. Napti, and Brgy. Mambuquiao. Batan is also known for a special puto cake or steamed rice cake in several different flavors such as cheese and buko. It is a filling and ideal snack because it is about 6-8 inches in diameter, big enough to fill the stomachs of a small group. An advanced reservation is needed to taste this local delicacy that is unique to Brgy. Mandong in Batan.

Local Festivals

Education

Elementary

Secondary

Tertiary