March 13, 2023 – Today, the regular conduct of Learning Barangay Week (LBW) in the City of Balanga returned three (3) years after it was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first LBW for this year was hosted by Brgy. Pto. Rivas Lote led by Brgy. Captain Richard “Jojo” L. Sioson.

The city’s programs and services for its residents are made more accessible through LBW. Some of these include the consultation with senior citizens and barangay council, orientations and lectures for PWDs and solo parents, discussions about health, education, peace and order, agriculture, environment, and gender sensitivity among others. There will also be a Barangay Health Day to provide free medical services to the community.

Messages were also imparted. City Councilor Jowee Zabala warmly greeted the more than four hundred (400) attendees. Brgy. Captain Jojo thanked the city government for all the support it has provided to their barangay over the years. Pusong Pinoy Party list Representative Cong. Jernie “Jett” Nisay bared the party list’s plans and programs for the city. And penultimately, Vice-Mayor Vianca Lita Gozon emphasized the importance of protecting and cleaning the environment to combat climate change.

Last to speak was City Mayor Francis Anthony Garcia who congratulated the officials of Brgy. Pto. Rivas Lote for the very successful hosting of LBW. In his speech, he shared the plans and programs currently being implemented, as well as those that are in the pipeline, for the residents of their barangay and the whole city. Some of these include the distribution of fire extinguisher to all barangays in Balanga to prepare for the summer season; the availability of two (2) water tanker fire trucks, one (1) aerial ladder truck, and five (5) ambulances and the presence of Health Emergency Management System (HEMS) for better emergency response; the newly-constructed Camacho-to-Tenejero Direct Link; the Libreng Sakay program for Bataan National High School students; the establishment of a mini-market at their barangay; the construction of the bridge that will complete the access road from SM Bataan and Bataan Terminal going to Four Lanes which was made possible through the office of Cong. Jett Nisay; the soon-to-be- launched Rural Health Unit 5 for upland barangays, and more.

The activity was followed by the awarding of farming equipment and materials to farmers led by City Agriculturist Ms. Nerissa Mateo. As a way to thank his constituents, Brgy. Captain Jojo also gave away prizes through a raffle draw.

Mayor Garcia, along with City Social Welfare and Development Officer Ms. Lalaine de Leon, also sat down with senior citizens to hear their feedback and requests on how the city government can further assist their sector. This was followed by a consultation with the barangay council on how to improve public service provided by the barangay to its constituents.

Also present in the activity were ABC President Ernie Nisay, DILG Balanga LGOO Ms. Jomar Cruz, Sangguniang Panlungsod members, Bureau of Fire Protection Balanga, and Barangay Technical Advisers. The whole program was made more festive with the presence of a marching band.

The LBW will run from March 13 to 18, 2022. A General Assembly will be held on March 16.