Entry #13 - Bataan: Where Good Governance Thrives

Bataan: Where Good Governance Thrives

By Ira Mendez In every country, the government is the main force that ensures the development of a city. Each citizen put their trust on this group of people in order to have a better future.

They are the leaders that the people hoped would bring change. However, as years pass by, they become aware of the slow or even lack of progress emerging from their leadership. It became evident just by walking on the streets – there are beggars found at every corner, vendors selling illegal or fake products and litters scattered around the place. Most people have lost hope that future leaders would be capable enough to turn things around and make the city prosper.

Unknown to most, however, is one of the cities in the country that is found to have incredible progress as years pass by. This is a city that has made a vision slowly come to reality. This is a city that showed that good governance is the path towards change. This is Balanga, Bataan – a peaceful city that thrives with hope and a brighter future.

2020: The Perfect Vision The city of Balanga was known for its great history in World War II and was dubbed as the “Tricycle City” for its most common mode of transportation. From its rich beginnings, the city was transformed into a center of change that started during the year 2008, when Mayor Jose Enrique “Joet” Garcia III was elected. From that point on, the city started to build a vision with the intention of serving the people.

This vision was what they call the “University Town” which focuses in providing the best education for the new generation. They realized this upon the belief that quality education is the foundation of a brighter future. They aim to transform the city to a place that encourages learning for the youth and provide education that would become useful in their future careers. With this in mind, they set the date to complete this goal for the year 2020, a perfect vision for their city.

Making the Master Plan In order to fulfill this vision, the local government built a plan that they hoped would be carried on by the future leaders to come. They started slowly, by going around Balanga and taking note on where they should improve. Due to the lack of budget, they decided to build the market first, and was able to finish a well-kept and organized place. All the vendors appear to be disciplined – with items and stores organized accordingly. They then proceeded to building a mall through public-private partnership with a beautiful and unique façade.

From the money they were able to earn, the State University in the city was finally improved and the surrounding areas were rebuilt so that would create a better learning environment. In order to express their vision, the city hall even hangs pictures of their successful students outside the building in order to give appreciation. The whole plan was set up by the government carefully, in order to assure the people that the place would remain peaceful and the citizens would see their progress.

An organized cafeteria found inside a local market in Balanga, Bataan

Government Transparency Other than their plans and their improvements of the local facilities, the government also practices transparency for their people. Right from the start, it was obvious with the clean roads, proper traffic lights and policemen patrolling around the city. The service of the local government to the people was evident and their safety and security was prioritized through the different rural health units in the region. The participation of the officials in events held for the people or their culture are apparent, showing genuine concern for the people.

Apart from that, the citizens are even provided different opportunities. They give teachers scholarship in order to take Masters and laptops in order to organize their lessons

properly. They also have a livelihood program for the poor – to help them gain enough money to allow their children to study.

A Better Future Ahead With the efforts of the government, Balanga has grown into a progressive city filled with hope that is starting to catch the attention of the people around. It encourages learning in its youth and innovation for its citizens. The University Town ensures that education would be valued and the market, with various small scale businesses, shows that employment is not hard to find. There is no doubt that the people living in Balanga are happy to live prosperously and is waiting for a brighter future ahead.

The Role of the Government In many ways than one, the local government of Balanga has proved that it takes the right leadership to lead a humble town to a progressive and developing city. Its government showed that it’s possible to make a change by starting slowly and planning carefully. The officials showed that honest leadership is the true catalyst for change.

This is moment to start realizing that the leaders we vote could make or break the city we live in. This is the time that we start to take the elections seriously and choose the ones who are worthy. Good governance is the start of change – where the future of more than a thousand people lies in the hands of power.