February 01, 2023 – Mayor Francis Anthony S. Garcia received a Plaque of Appreciation from the 2022 Gawad KATIG (Katuwang sa Isang Hangaring de Kalidad na Edukasyon). On his behalf, Committee Chairperson on Education and Culture Councilor Victor A. Baluyot, Jr. received the award at the Hacienda Gracia Hotel and Resort, Lubao, Pampanga.

Mayor Garcia was awarded for being a consistent education partner of the Department of Education Regional Office III in pursuing and providing excellent, quality, and accessible education to learners.

One of the most notable projects of Mayor Garcia in education is the establishment of Barangay Learning Hubs (BLH). BLH is a community resource facility equipped with fast internet access, printer, educational software, videos, and e-books. It also has a facilitator to guide clients in navigating computers. It helps learners complete their assignments, projects, and deliverables for free. Moreover, it also caters to out-of-school youth (OSY), workers, the unemployed, and the elderly in the city. Currently, there are 17 established BLHs in Balanga.

Aside from BLHs, there are also school-based learning hubs in the city called “School Learning Hubs” (SLH). Currently, there are five SLHs serving as an online learning facility for in-school learners.

Because of City of Balanga’s consistent growth as an emerging learning hub, it obtained the Seal of Good Education Governance from Synergeia, as well as the Hall of Fame Award in the National Literacy Award given by the National Literacy Coordinating Council.