April 17, 2023 — The City Government of Balanga demonstrated its dedication in providing public service to its residents by organizing a Learning Barangay Week at Brgy. Cupang Proper.

City Mayor Francis Anthony S. Garcia, Vice-Mayor Vianca Lita V. Gozon, some Sangguniang Panlungsod members, select city department heads, Barangay Technical Advisers, Sangguniang Kabataan, teachers, and other staff attended the event. Members of various organizations were also present to lend their support including, Kababaihan ng Bataan Lingap sa Kaunlaran at Tagumpay (KABALIKAT), Cupang Proper Senior Citizens, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), KAANIB, and City of Balanga Federation of Persons with Disability.

Cupang Proper Punong Barangay Ms. Alicia Sacdalan formally opened the program by welcoming city officials and various organizations that came to support the first day of LBW’s week-long celebration.

Committee Chairperson on Health Hon. Christian Manalaysay expressed his hope for the citizens’ support in upcoming programs and projects that are laid down for Balangueños.

Meanwhile, Vice-Mayor Gozon encouraged everyone to take care of the environment to combat pollution. Presently, the city continues to take the initiative to ensure that every barangay is well taken care of.

In his message, Mayor Garcia shared the success of some of the city’s initiatives, including the establishment of the Health Emergency Management System (HEMS) — a 24/7 emergency service with doctors to facilitate emergency cases; computer and smart LED TV donations from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and computer donations from Genpact that greatly benefitted teachers and students under the guidance of Schools Division Office Superintendent Dr. Roland Fronda. He also mentioned that in preparation for summer, the city government is already equipped with two (2) 10,000-liter water tanker fire trucks and one (1) aerial ladder fire truck to be used by the City Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Office in emergency responses.

Further, Mayor Garcia announced that Barangays Cupang, Central, and Cataning will have their developments regarding right of way. He encouraged collaborative practices from various barangays to promote faster transportation while also aiming to become a business district that offers job housing opportunities. Lastly, he thanked the Multi-Sector Governance Coalition (MSGC) for the successful ‘Operation Tuli’ activity at Doña Francisca that served more than 200 youngsters.

On the same occasion, the turnover of farming equipment led by City Agriculturist Ms. Nerissa Mateo, including 61 bottles of vigor (foliar fertilizer) for organic and High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) farmers, 24 bottles of vigor to 4H Club of Cabog-Cabog, 50 packs of assorted vegetable seedlings with EIC materials to 50 households, composting facility to Samahang Kapatiran ng Magsasaka ng Maluya, recirculating dryer with warehouse to Greatest Manimas Farmers and Fisherfolks Association, and planting inputs and tools to Kaanib San Jose were made. Under the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), Ms. Mateo also led the turnover of 2,130 trash bins and 60 baskets that aimed to reduce the usage of plastic, thus helping reduce the volume of trash.

After the program, Mayor Garcia, Committee Chairperson on Women, Children, and Family Hon. Liza Vasquez, and City Social Welfare and Development Officer Ms. Lalaine De Leon sat down with senior citizens led by Barangay Cupang Proper Senior Citizen President Mr. Clodualdo Fernandez, Sr. to identify and address their sector’s concerns.