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Balanga, Philippines
The city of Balanga is not only blessed with a rich nature, but has recently also developed into a booming center of trade, commerce, and services.
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City population
97,739
person
Member since
2015
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City award
2015
Vision
Balanga plans to build a family-oriented city with a strong learning atmosphere that will ensure sustainable development and participatory governance. The city’s vision is encapsulated in the slogan ‘Balanga University Town 2020: the emerging hub for knowledge-based businesses in the Philippines.' Education is also the city’s key to true sustainable development.
Policies, plan and implementation
Challenges and Goals
Balanga has very limited financial resources available and the local government units are not able to independently plan, budget and implement education programmes due to the centralization of education at national level. The city will focus on education as a means of spurring local economic development.
Plan and Implementation
In 2008, the city government of Balanga signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Institute for Solidarity in Asia that provides training and advisory to its partners enrolling in the Performance Governance System (PGS). PGS is a programme of good governance and responsible citizenship that utilizes the globally acclaimed Balanced Scorecard framework, recognized by the National Government.
Learning advocacy
By adapting a strategic vision that promotes several strategic initiatives anchored in a balanced scorecard, the city has been executing learning advocacy throughout the whole city. It involves both its internal stakeholders through Vision-Aligned Circles (VAC) and external stakeholders by a Multi-Sector Governance Coalition (MSGC) in the execution of programmes, projects and activities.
Good practices
Barangay Learning Hub
The Barangay Learning Hub serves as a facility wherein education and literacy will be supported in the community. Started in 2016, the Barangay Learning Hub initiative continues to thrive. In 2019, three new Barangay Learning Hubs had their soft opening.
City of Balanga Information Hub
This initiative will install computer booths or electronic displays with information and entertainment to serve the public. These will be placed in public places, especially parks or alleys where the students and the public frequently gather.