Municipality of Sarrat

This small but rich town – Sarrat – became famous because of its antiques, beautiful museum and the houses where the former president of the Philippines, Ferdinand E. Marcos, was born. Located 7.75 kilometers east of Laoag City, it is surrounded by Vintar, Piddig, Laoag and San Nicolas which also serve as its boundaries. It is bounded on the east by Piddig, on the south by San Nicolas, on the west by Laoag City, and on the north by Vintar.

Its wet season starts from May to October; the dry, from November to April. December, January and February are the coldest months, while April is the hottest.

One can be enchanted with the beauty and calmness of poblacion at the heart of which are antique edifices and beautiful parks. Overlooking the Padsan River in the south is the Sarrat Elementary School. Down below is the old and historic Roman Catholic Church and the adjoining convent with its beautiful and romantic park which has become the favorite of strollers and tourists.

North of the Catholic Church is the municipal hall, a two-storey Spanish type building. The municipal auditorium is just in front of the municipal hall. At the eastern part of the poblacion is the public market surrounded by various business establishments. The Marcos Museum, which is located along the national road, is the repository of old records of the Marcos family. The Sarrat National High School and the Sarrat North Central School are situated in the northern side of the poblacion.

Streets are wide, and most of these are paved or concreted. The electrification of the town has made it possible for the people to use modern home appliances and equipments. Water, including potable water has been made available by the water system within the municipality.

Infrastructure Development.

Sarrat can already boast of many improvements even during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. With assistance coming from the national government, many public buildings were constructed and renovated. The Roman Catholic Church was improved in 1983.

The Spanish style of the Marcos house situated west of the provincial road is reminiscent of the good old days. The two-storey Marcos Museum is not too far from it.

Other public buildings like the Sarrat National High School and the Sarrat Elementary School were also renovated and to prevent soil erosion, dikes were constructed along the banks of the Padsan River.

The Northern Foods Corporation, a privately owned company, was built at the western approach of the town proper. Employed here are people not only from Sarrat but also from other places in Ilocos Norte.

Streets in the town proper are concreted and barangays outside the town have become easier to reach because of the construction of roads and the repair of street canals and drainage.

Economic Development.

Sarrat is a small but rich town. The people are engaged in many different occupations. Farmers produce plenty of vegetables, rice, tobacco, sugarcane, and garlic, and they have already adopted modern techniques of agriculture.

Fishing is also a good opportunity. The Padsan River which provides them a good fishing ground teems with freshwater fishes like bukto, dalag and gurami.

The women weave blankets, bedspreads, and towels which are sold in the market or exported abroad.

Furniture and upholstery making also count in the municipality. Sarrat is also famous for its goldsmith industry. Many goldsmith shops are found in the town. Jewelers make original designs of jewelry and sell them at low prices.