January 25, 2023 — To signify the formal opening of two other Barangay Learning Hubs (BLH), BLH’s Malabia and Dangcol held their ribbon-cutting and blessing today at their covered courts.

A BLH is a space that contains computer units including a server, a printer, and an administrator. It has fast internet connectivity and air-conditioning units that make for a conducive learning environment.

Rev. Fr. Jayson Balan officiated the blessing of BLH Malabia. In his homily, he stated that the facility may be the fruit of man’s idea and concrete action, but it came about through God’s inspiration to aid students in learning.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by City Mayor Francis Anthony S. Garcia, assisted by PB Joseph dela Fuente of Malabia who later give an acceptance speech, MSGC Chairman Engr. Robert Enriquez, and CEEDO OIC Ms. Tarra Ann M. Pagdanganan.

BLH Malabia, the 16th BLH to open, has 25 computers including a server, and a BLH Administrator.

Later in the morning at Barangay Dangcol, another BLH, the 17th, with fifteen (15) computers and an administrator, was blessed by the parish priest of Nagwaling. Ribbon-cutting was led by Mayor Garcia, this time assisted by Vice-Mayor Vianca Lita V. Gozon and Dangcol PB Leonard Ryan Austria. The priest lauded the city government for involving God in its undertakings and reminded everyone of the need to acknowledge God’s blessings and give Him due thanks for them.

In his message, MSGC’s Engr. Enriquez gave assurance that their group will actively assist the city government in its undertakings. Meanwhile, PB Austria thanked the city government for this great assistance extended to their students. DepEd OIC-Schools Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ilynne S. Samonte, on the other hand, praised this development for it will give access to students to greater knowledge. She also said that everyone must continue to learn even if they are out of school already.

Last to deliver a message was Mayor Garcia who thanked everyone that had a hand in the realization of the two BLH’s blessed today. Air-conditioning units and printers have been ordered already as well. He revealed that BLH 18 and 19 will also soon come to realization with the sixty-eight (68) computers donated by Latter-Day Saints Charities. Barangays to have the next BLH’s are San Jose and Pto. Rivas Itaas. The BLH program plays directly into the city’s mission to build highly livable cities.

Mayor Garcia also shared that RHU 5, also in Dangcol, is already complete and sits on a 15-hectare lot. An isolation facility is also being constructed. In the pipeline is the construction of an Integrated School at the Barangay. While the barangay will account for the facilities’ security, electric bills will be subsidized by the city. The city government is also mulling the use of solar panels to do away with electricity expenses. He also announced that SM is already looking for qualified workers.

Lastly, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the city government headed by Mayor Garcia, the concerned barangays, and other parties.

Other attendees on both occasions were DICT-Bataan Provincial Head Gerald Calamaan, city councilors, Punong Barangays, members of the MSGC, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, representatives from DepEd, and city government department heads.