:Balanga, Bataan

{{Short description|City in the Philippines}}

{{Use Philippine English|date=March 2023}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}

{{Infobox settlement

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| image1 = Balanga Poblacion, Plaza Mayor (Aguirre, Balanga, Bataan; 05-19-2023).jpg

| caption1 = Poblacion Plaza Mayor

| image2 = Balanga City Hall (Aguirre, Balanga, Bataan; 05-19-2023).jpg

| caption2 = Balanga City Hall

| image3 = BalangaCathedraljf2894 07.JPG

| caption3 = Balanga Cathedral

| image4 = 340Balanga Nature and Wetland Park 02.jpg

| caption4 = Balanga Nature and Wetland Park

| image5 = Balanga,Bataanjf2820 11.JPG

| caption5 = Bataan Provicial Capitol

| image6 = SM City Bataan, Balanga, Bataan, Feb 2024.jpg

| caption6 = SM City Bataan

}}

| image_flag = Flag_of_Balanga,_Bataan.png

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| subdivision_name = Philippines

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| nicknames = Bataan Capital City; Bataan University Town

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| subdivision_type3 = District

| subdivision_name3 = {{PH legislative district}}

| established_title = Founded

| established_date = 1712

| established_title1 = Cityhood

| established_date1 = December 30, 2000

| parts_type = Barangays

| parts_style = para

| p1 = {{PH barangay count | {{wikidata|label|raw}} }} (see Barangays)

| leader_title = Mayor

| leader_name = Francis Anthony S. Garcia

| leader_title1 = Vice Mayor

| leader_name1 = Vianca Lita V. Gozon

| leader_title2 = Representative

| leader_name2 = Albert Raymond S. Garcia

| leader_title3 = City Council

| leader_name3 = {{PH Town Council

| 1 =

| 2=Noel Joseph L. Valdecañas

| 3=Jovy Z. Banzon

| 4=Christian Laurence Z. Manalaysay

| 5=Victor A. Baluyot Jr.

| 6=Ma. Liza A. Vasquez

| 7=Hubert B. Pizarro

| 8=Ricardo M. Magpantay

| 9=Jorescel S. Panganiban

| 10=Pedro T. Yuzon Jr.

| 11=Benigno P. Meriño

}}

| leader_title4 = Electorate

| leader_name4 = {{PH wikidata|electorate}} voters (Philippine general election, {{PH wikidata)

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| timezone = PST

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| postal2_code_type = {{PSGCstyle}}

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| area_code_type = {{areacodestyle}}

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| website = {{PH wikidata|website}}

| demographics_type1 = Economy

| demographics1_title1 = {{PH wikidata|income_class_title}}

| demographics1_info1 = {{PH wikidata|income_class}}

| demographics1_title2 = Poverty incidence

| demographics1_info2 = {{PH wikidata|poverty_incidence}}% ({{PH wikidata|poverty_incidence_point_in_time}}){{PH wikidata|poverty_incidence_footnotes}}

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| demographics1_title10 = Liabilities

| demographics1_info10 = {{PH wikidata|liabilities}} {{PH wikidata|liabilities_point_in_time}}

| demographics_type2 = Service provider

| demographics2_title1 = Electricity

| demographics2_info1 = {{PH electricity distribution | {{wikidata|label|raw}} }}

| demographics2_title2 = Water

| demographics2_info2 =

| demographics2_title3 = Telecommunications

| demographics2_info3 =

| demographics2_title4 = Cable TV

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| blank_name_sec1 = {{PH wikidata|climate_title}}

| blank_info_sec1 = {{PH wikidata|climate_type}}

| blank1_name_sec1 = Native languages

| blank1_info_sec1 = {{PH wikidata|language}}

| blank2_name_sec1 = Crime index

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| blank1_name_sec2 = Major religions

| blank1_info_sec2 =

| blank2_name_sec2 = Feast date

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| blank3_name_sec2 = Catholic diocese

| blank3_info_sec2 =

| blank4_name_sec2 = Patron saint

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}}

Balanga (pronounced {{IPA|tl|bɐˈlaŋa|}}), officially the City of Balanga ({{langx|fil|Lungsod ng Balanga}}; {{langx|ilo|Ili ti Balanga}}), is a component city and capital of the province of Bataan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 104,173 people.{{PH census|current}}

Balanga was included the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities in 2015.

Etymology

The word Balanga originates from the Kapampangan or Tagalog term balangâ ("clay pot"), which the town produced and which were among the best that can be found in the country. Compare with Calamba, Laguna.

History

Balanga was formerly a village of Abucay before it was established as a mission of the Dominican Order in the Provincial Charter of April 21, 1714, and later declared a vicariate on April 18, 1739, under the patronage of Saint Joseph. Upon the establishment of Bataan as a separate province in 1754, Balanga was made its capital by Governor-General Pedro Manuel de Arandía Santisteban due to its favorable location at the heart of the new territorial jurisdiction.

On December 30, 2000, Balanga was inaugurated as a city by virtue of Republic Act No. 8984, authored by Congressman Enrique "Tet" Garcia.{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofbalanga.gov.ph/city-profile/|title=City Profile – City of Balanga}}

The city has extended its urban fringe to the west of the Roman Superhighway, and a new growth center in Barangay Tuyo has been delineated in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. During the past years, the city saw a high record of residential growth. Consequently, with the expansion of the physical limits of the urban core, as well as the expected large increases in population, and the city's attractiveness to commercial and employment activities, the City Government of Balanga decided to undertake a Master Planning exercise and to propose various developmental projects that would establish Balanga as a well-planned community with quality and character that is innovative and special, although this is currently hindered by an unreliable electricity supply.[http://www.nscb.gov.ph/factsheet/pdf01/fs1_01.asp NSCB – 2001 Factsheet – 12 New Cities Created], July–December 2000.

Geography

File:Balanga City Downtown 2.jpg

Balanga City is primarily a residential-agricultural city, with a rapidly growing commercial sector. It has a total land area of {{convert|11,163|ha}}, which comprises 8.13% of the total land area of Bataan. It is located at the eastern part of the province of Bataan and lies in the southwestern part of Central Luzon. It is bounded inland by the municipality of Abucay in the north, Pilar in the south, the municipalities of Bagac and Morong in the west and Manila Bay in the east. Balanga is {{convert|124|km}} from Manila by land and about {{convert|31.2|nmi}} by ferry to Manila.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityofbalanga.gov.ph/city-profile/geography/|title = Geography – City of Balanga}}

{{Clear left}}

=Climate=

{{Weather box

| location = Balanga, Bataan

| width = auto

| metric first = Yes

| single line = Yes

| Jan high C = 31

| Jan low C = 19

| Feb high C = 32

| Feb low C = 19

| Mar high C = 34

| Mar low C = 20

| Apr high C = 35

| Apr low C = 23

| May high C = 33

| May low C = 25

| Jun high C = 31

| Jun low C = 25

| Jul high C = 29

| Jul low C = 24

| Aug high C = 29

| Aug low C = 25

| Sep high C = 29

| Sep low C = 25

| Oct high C = 29

| Oct low C = 24

| Nov high C = 30

| Nov low C = 23

| Dec high C = 31

| Dec low C = 20

| Jan precipitation mm = 7

| Feb precipitation mm = 8

| Mar precipitation mm = 14

| Apr precipitation mm = 26

| May precipitation mm = 127

| Jun precipitation mm = 210

| Jul precipitation mm = 263

| Aug precipitation mm = 272

| Sep precipitation mm = 218

| Oct precipitation mm = 114

| Nov precipitation mm = 46

| Dec precipitation mm = 21

| Jan rain days = 4.0

| Feb rain days = 4.0

| Mar rain days = 6.9

| Apr rain days = 11.2

| May rain days = 21.0

| Jun rain days = 24.5

| Jul rain days = 27.4

| Aug rain days = 26.9

| Sep rain days = 25.9

| Oct rain days = 21.9

| Nov rain days = 13.4

| Dec rain days = 6.3

| source 1 = Meteoblue (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally)

{{cite web

| url = https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/balanga_philippines_1728523

| title = Balanga: Average Temperatures and Rainfall

| publisher = Meteoblue

| access-date = April 26, 2020 }}

| date = April 26, 2020

}}

=Barangays=

Balanga is politically subdivided into 25 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

{{Div col|colwidth=15em}}

  • Bagumbayan
  • Cabog-Cabog
  • Munting Batangas (Cadre)
  • Cataning
  • Central
  • Cupang Proper
  • Cupang West
  • Dangcol (Bernabe)
  • Ibayo
  • Malabia
  • Poblacion Barcenas
  • Puerto Rivas Ibaba
  • Puerto Rivas Itaas
  • Puerto Rivas Lote
  • San Jose
  • Sibacan
  • Camacho
  • Talisay
  • Tanato
  • Tenejero
  • Tortugas
  • Tuyo
  • Bagong Silang
  • Cupang North
  • Doña Francisca

{{div col end}}

Demographics

{{Philippine Census

| align= left

| cols = 2

| title= Population census of {{PH wikidata|name}}

| 1903 = {{PH census population|1903}}

| 1918 = {{PH census population|1918}}

| 1939 = {{PH census population|1939}}

| 1948 = {{PH census population|1948}}

| 1960 = {{PH census population|1960}}

| 1970 = {{PH census population|1970}}

| 1975 = {{PH census population|1975}}

| 1980 = {{PH census population|1980}}

| 1990 = {{PH census population|1990}}

| 1995 = {{PH census population|1995}}

| 2000 = {{PH census population|2000}}

| 2007 = {{PH census population|2007}}

| 2010 = {{PH census population|2010}}

| 2015 = {{PH census population|2015}}

| 2020 = {{PH census population|2020}}

| 2025 =

| 2030 =

| footnote= Source: Philippine Statistics Authority{{PH census|2015}}{{PH census|2010}}{{PH census|2007}}{{LWUA population data}}

}}

The population of Balanga in the 2020 census was 104,173 people,{{PH census|current}} with a density of {{convert|{{sigfig|104,173/111.63|2}}|PD/km2|disp=or}}.

{{clear left}}

Economy

{{PH poverty incidence}}

=Agriculture and Fisheries=

The City of Balanga has a total area of {{convert|5,698.99|ha}} of land classified for agricultural use. {{convert|1,458.55|ha}} of irrigated land, and {{convert|1,090.65|ha}} upland, are utilized for crops production. In 2017, {{convert|8,144.42|MT}} of rice were produced.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityofbalanga.gov.ph/city-profile/agriculture/|title = Agriculture – City of Balanga}}

The city classified {{convert|459|ha}} of land to be utilized for aquaculture. It is composed of {{convert|148|ha}} of coastal marine area, {{convert|276.6|ha}} of brackish water fishpond and {{convert|34.4|ha}} of freshwater fishpond. A total of {{convert|172|MT}} of marine products with an annual average of {{convert|5|MT}} per hectare are produced from freshwater fishponds with tilapia is the most common specie cultured. For brackish water fishponds, {{convert|968|MT}} are produced with an average of {{convert|3.5|MT}} per hectare. Some of the species cultured in brackish water are bangus (milkfish), sugpo, vannamei shrimp and alimango (mud crab).

Balanga is well known for its smoked and dried fish products under the One Town One Product (OTOP) program. For the year 2017, there are ninety-nine (99) fish processors in the city mostly located in villages of Tortugas, Sibacan, Puerto Rivas Ibaba and Villa Lina in Barangay Tenejero.

=Commerce and services=

File:SM City Bataan.png

File:Vistamall Bataan.jpg

File:All Day Supermarket Balanga Bataan.jpg

The City of Balanga, while still predominantly agricultural is currently experiencing an accelerated growth in commercial sector. As capital of Bataan, it is the prime commercial hub in the province. Business enterprises are mainly wholesale and retail, servicing, construction, insurance, financing and manufacturing. Retail and trading comprise the largest number of business establishments in this city. Several shopping centers are located in the city, notably SM City Bataan, Vista Mall Bataan, Waltermart Balanga, Capitol Square, Galeria Victoria, Center Plaza Mall, Recar Commercial Complex and Ocampo's Megastore. While Robinsons Place Balanga City's construction is expected to start.

In 2008, {{convert|80|ha}} of the city's central district was declared as a "University Town" through City Ordinance No. 21, Series of 2008. It aims to encourage the development of Balanga as an emerging hub for start-ups and technology-related businesses in the Philippines.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityofbalanga.gov.ph/city-profile/the-university-town-area/|title = The University Town Area – City of Balanga}}

=Information Technology=

The city is one of the twenty-five (25) emerging digital hubs identified by The Digital Cities 2025 program by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), and Leechiu Property Consultants, Inc. (LPC).{{cite web | url=https://www.bworldonline.com/new-digital-cities-seen-to-attract-p70b-in-investments/ | title=New 'digital cities' seen to attract P70B in investments | website=BusinessWorld | date=June 30, 2020 }} It hosts several business process outsourcing (BPO) companies such as Genpact, Boston-based start-up Botkeeper, and Australia-based Yoonet.

=Public-Private Partnership=

To further improve its revenue generation capability, the City Government entered into several public–private partnership (PPP) projects, such as the Galeria Victoria, the Plaza Property which develops the city's main plaza, and the Capitol Square mall.

Government

=Local government=

{{main|Sangguniang Panglungsod}}

File:Balanga City Hall, Bataan, Feb 2024.jpg

Pursuant to the Local government in the Philippines",{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.ph/aboutphil/a10.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061003203645/http://www.gov.ph/aboutphil/a10.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 3, 2006|title=Philippines : Gov.Ph : About the Philippines

| publisher = www.gov.ph|access-date=March 28, 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.chanrobles.com/localgov.htm|title=THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES - CHAN ROBLES VIRTUAL LAW LIBRARY|website=www.chanrobles.com}} the political seat of the municipal government is located at the City Hall. In the History of the Philippines (1521–1898), the Gobernadorcillo is the Chief Executive who holds office in the Presidencia. During the period of American rule (1898–1946) (History of the Philippines (1898-1946)), the elected Mayor and local officials, including the appointed ones, hold office at the Municipal Town or City Hall. The legislative and executive departments perform their functions in the Sangguniang Panglungsod (Session Hall) and the Regional and Metropolitan Trial Courts, respectively, and are located in the second floor of the City Hall and in the Halls of Justice.

=Elected officials=

class="wikitable collapsible" style="font-size:100%;background-color:#FDFDFD;line-height:1.30em;"

|+ Members of the Balanga City Council
(2022-2025)

scope="col" | Position

! scope="col" | Name of official

scope="row" rowspan=1 | District Representative (2nd Legislative District, Bataan)

| style="text-align:center;" | Jose Enrique S. Garcia III

scope="row" | City Mayor

| style="text-align:center;" | Francis S. Garcia

scope="row" | City Vice Mayor

| style="text-align:center;" | Vianca Lita V. Gozon

scope="row" rowspan=10 | City Councilors

| style="text-align:center;" | Noel Valdecañas

style="text-align:center;" | Jett Nisay
style="text-align:center;" | Vic Baluyot
style="text-align:center;" | Elmo Sanchez
style="text-align:center;" | Hubert Pizarro
style="text-align:center;" | Karl Paguio
style="text-align:center;" | Joy Panganiban
style="text-align:center;" | Carding Magpantay
style="text-align:center;" | Tony Tranate
style="text-align:center;" | Benjie Meriño

=Administration=

The City administration envisions the City of Balanga as U-Town, a World Class University Town in 2020 (City Ordinance No. 21, Series of 2008, "Declaring the eighty point forty-two (80.42) hectares at the city's central district as University Town in the City of Balanga, Bataan").{{cite web|url=http://cityofbalanga.gov.ph/city/city-programsprojects|title=City Government of Balanga - PROGRAMS/PROJECTS|access-date=February 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323051529/http://cityofbalanga.gov.ph/city/city-programsprojects|archive-date=March 23, 2013|url-status=dead}}

Balanga listed a 'Record-Breaking' P6B Investments In 2012.

Balanga City won the 1st Robredo ICT Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofbalanga.gov.ph/|title=City of Balanga – Balanga… Kahanga hanga.}}

=Former mayors=

{{Div col}}

class="wikitable"
MayorTerm
Tomas B. Gallardo1901–1903
Angel Mendoza1903–1907
Antonio Tuason Sr.1907–1909
Amado de Leon1909–1912
Andres de Leon1912–1916
Jose P. Banzon1916–1919
Venacio Banzon1919–1928
Antonio Tuason Sr. (2nd Term)1928–1931
Venacio Banzon (2nd Term)1931–1934
Mariano Batungbacal1934–1937
Mariano Herrera1938–1942
Mariano Batungbacal (2nd Term)1942–1943
Numeriano Quindoy1943–1944
Carlos Y. Gonzales1944–1945
Mariano Herrera (2nd Term)1945–1946
Jose N. Gonzales1946–1947
Graciano Pastorfide1947
Pedro R. Dizon1948–1951
Crispulo Torrico1951
Faustino V. Vigo1952–1955
Pedro R. Dizon (2nd Term)1956–1959
Emilio Bernabe1960–1963
Vicente Malibiran1964–1967
Teodoro Camacho III1968–1971
Celso Valdecañas1972–1979
Teodoro R. Alonzo1980–1986
Teodoro Camacho III (2nd Term)1986–1987
Melanio S. Banzon Jr.1988–1998
Albert S. Garcia1998–2004
Melanio S. Banzon Jr. (2nd Term)2004–2007
Jose Enrique Garcia III2007–2016

{{end div col}}

{{clear}}

Tourism

=Parks and Public Spaces=

File:340Balanga_Nature_and_Wetland_Park_02.jpg

File:Bataan Tourism Park.jpg

  • Balanga Wetland and Nature Park. In 2005, the 11-hectare Park, situated along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway in Barangay Tortugas was founded by Tet Garcia and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, President Michael Lu. The site of the “Ibong Dayo” festival since December, 2010 became a community-based ecotourism zone per Republic Act 11365 or "Balanga Wetland and Nature Park Responsible Ecotourism Act" signed by Rodrigo Duterte on August 8, 2019.{{cite news |last1=Cabico |first1= Gaea Katreena |title=Balanga’s wetland park offers refuge for migratory birds, protection for coastal folk|url=https://qa.philstar.com/headlines/climate-and-environment/2024/04/07/2345960/balangas-wetland-park-offers-refuge-migratory-birds-protection-coastal-folk |accessdate=April 7, 2024 |publisher=The Philippine Star |date=April 7, 2024}}{{cite news |last1= Mayuga|first1= Jonathan |title=Bataan’s ‘natural outdoor museum’|url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2018/12/03/bataans-natural-outdoor-museum/ |accessdate=April 7, 2024 |publisher= BusinessMirror|date=December 3, 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.philstar.com/lifestyle-features/2013/01/28/902053/increase-number-migratory-birds-balanga-recorded|title=Increase in number of migratory birds in Balanga recorded|work=The Philippine Star}}
  • Plaza Major de Balanga - Poblacion
  • Bataan Capitol Center - San Jose
  • Bataan Tourism Park - Tenejero
  • Doña Francisca Public Park - Doña Francisca

=Historical Places=

  • Surrender of Bataan Site Marker - Talisay
  • Bataan World War II Museum - Talisay

=Churches=

File:Balanga Cathedral (Aguirre, Balanga, Bataan; 05-19-2023).jpg]]

  • Balanga Cathedral (Cathedral-Shrine and Parish of St. Joseph)
  • Divine Mercy Shrine of Diocese Balanga
  • Santo Cristo Parish Church - Paterno Street, Cupang West
  • San Roque Chapel - National Road, Tuyo
  • The Risen Lord Chapel - Cuaderno Street, Doña Francisca
  • Immaculate Conception Parish Church - Jose P. Rizal Street, Puerto Rivas Ibaba
  • Residencia Sacerdotal-Guadalupe Chapel - Fiscal Camacho Street, Tenejero
  • Poor Clare Monastery of the Holy Spirit- Upper Tuyo, Balanga City
  • Virgen Milagrosa del Rosario College Seminary Chapel- Upper Tuyo, Balanga City
  • Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Chapel- Bahay Puso Compound, Upper Tuyo, Balanga City

Transportation

List of accredited transport cooperatives as of January 2021:{{Cite web |date=January 2021 |title=Accredited Transport Cooperatives as of January 2021 |url=https://otc.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Accredited-Transport-Cooperatives-Jan-2021-Web.pdf |website=Office of Transportation Cooperatives}}

  • Balanga-Orani Transport Service MultiPurpose Cooperative (BOTSMPC)
  • Bataan Jeepney Operators and Drivers Transport Service Cooperative
  • Bataan United Bus Transport Srvice Cooperative
  • Marbalolo Transport Service Cooperative
  • Roadline Transport Service Cooperative

Healthcare

=Healthcare facilities=

Access to health services in the city is adequate with the presence of one government owned general hospital and four private hospitals.

File:Saint Joseph Hospital and Medical Center - Balanga.jpg

File:BalangaBataanjf2876 09.JPG

  • Bataan Doctors Hospital and Medical Center - Cuaderno Street, Brgy. Doña Francisca
  • Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center (a DOH regional hospital{{Cite web|url=https://doh.gov.ph/doh-hospitals-directory|title=Department of Health - Hospitals|access-date=August 31, 2022|archive-date=October 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004032814/https://doh.gov.ph/doh-hospitals-directory|url-status=dead}}) - Manahan Street, Brgy. Tenejero
  • Isaac Catalina Medical Center - Calero Street, Brgy. Poblacion
  • Centro Medico de Santisimo del Rosario - Roman Superhighway, Tenejero
  • Saint Joseph Hospital and Medical Center - Don Manuel Banzon Avenue, Brgy. Poblacion - On December 15, 2023, the first A.I.-powered catheterization laboratory (CathLab) in the Central Luzon region was inaugurated in this hospital, enhancing the capability in treating vascular, cardiac, oncologic, and neurological (VCON) problems.{{cite web|url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/15/it-is-a-game-changer-doh-launches-advanced-tech-cath-lab-in-bataan|title = 'It is a game changer': DOH launches advanced-tech cath lab in Bataan| website=Manila Bulletin |date = 15 December 2023}}
  • Balanga Medical Center (formerly Bataan Women's Hospital) - Palmera Street, Brgy. San Jose
  • Balanga Medical Center-Four Lanes (under construction) - National Road corner E. Garcia Sr. Avenue, Tuyo

The City of Balanga also has one City Health Office (CHO) and four (4) functional PhilHealth-accredited Rural Health Units (RHU). RHU 1 in San Jose houses the Basic Emergency Maternal and New Born Care Facility. While the Newborn Screening (NBS) facility is located in RHU 3 in Barangay Cupang Proper. RHU 4 in Barangay Tenejero is the newest, established in March 2017. These government-owned facilities provide free pre-natal, delivery and post natal services, family planning, women's health and safe motherhood counseling, control of diarrheal diseases, expanded program on immunization, control of acute respiratory illness, TB Dots clinic, diabetic clinic and STD AIDS social hygiene clinic. These are augmented by 22 smaller barangay health stations and one Dental Bus making health care more accessible to a greater number of the city residents. Numerous privately owned medical facilities can also be found all over the city. These include 19 medical and 19 dental clinics, 14 laboratory and diagnostic centers and 10 beauty and skin care facilities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityofbalanga.gov.ph/city-profile/health-and-social-welfare-services/|title=Health and Social Welfare Services – City of Balanga}}

=Comprehensive Smoke-Free Policy=

Being a Hall of Fame Awardee of the Department of Health's Red Orchid Award, the City of Balanga is strictly implementing the Smoke-Free Policy. Regular anti–smoking campaign for colleges, university and schools, and orientation on health ordinances are conducted regularly across the city. The Comprehensive No Smoking Ordinance of the City of Balanga prohibits the sale, distribution, usage, and promotion of all tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) also known as "vape", within the declared University Town area and within the three (3) kilometers radius of the city.

To ensure and expand the city's strong advocacy for 100% tobacco-free environment, the City Government launched the Tobacco-Free Generation (TFG) Campaign last December 2015. It is intended to secure the Millennials’ (those who were born from the year 2000 and onwards) commitment to not smoke. With this program, the City of Balanga was awarded with “World Health Recognition for Heath Cities Best Practice, Youth Engagement to Promote Tobacco Control” last August 29, 2016.

Education

=Tertiary Education=

File:Bataan Peninsula State University, Balanga, Bataan, Feb 2024.jpg

File:Tomas del Rosario College, Balanga, Bataan, Feb 2024.jpg

Balanga City is the educational center of the province of Bataan. It currently has one state-owned university and several private colleges offering Baccalauréat degrees in accountancy, business administration, entrepreneurship, computer science and information technology, teaching, engineering, architecture, and health.

Bataan Peninsula State University, a state-owned institution, has its two biggest campuses located in the city: the main campus in the capitol compound, and a satellite campus located in downtown area.

Tomas del Rosario College is one of the oldest private educational institutions in the city. It is located in the Capitol Drive in Barangay San Jose. The other private colleges in the city include Asia Pacific College of Advanced Studies, Eastwoods Professional College of Science and Technology (formerly SOFTNET College of Science and Technology), Bataan Heroes Memorial College, Microcity Computer College and St. Joseph's College.

Other higher educational institutions in the city of Balanga include: AMA Computer Learning Center, Philippine Women's University-CDCEC Bataan, Bataan Maritime Institute, and Proclesia International Incorporated.

=Secondary Education=

The city hosts the biggest public secondary school in the province, Bataan National High School. Other public secondary schools present are Balanga City National Science High School, City of Balanga National High School and the Bataan Integrated School. While private secondary schools in the city include the high school departments of Asia Pacific College of Advanced Studies, Bataan Infant Jesus School, Bataan Montessori School, Inc., Tomas del Rosario College and St. Joseph Colleges of Balanga.

Notable personalities

See also

References

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