BALANGA City, Bataan: This city government through the guidance of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) conducted a three-day Smart City Validation Workshop and Visioning Activity from May 19 – 21 at the Emiliana Hall in this city.
To evaluate Balanga’s current smart city initiatives and lay the foundation for its future development, key partner stakeholders from various sectors in government, private organizations and civil society joined the event.
“The workshop aimed to assess the city’s progress in becoming a smart, sustainable, and citizen-centered urban center. Through collaborative discussions, data validation, and expert guidance from DAP and DOST, participants identified key challenges and opportunities across six critical domains: governance, environment, mobility, living, economy, and people,” City Mayor Francis Garcia said.
“One of the highlights was the visioning exercise, where stakeholders co-created a long-term vision for Balanga as a smart city. This shared vision will guide the city’s strategic roadmap, shaping future investments, innovations, and policies,” the outgoing mayor furthered.
Mayor-elect Raquel Garcia, wife of incoming Vice-Mayor Francis Garcia, and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod actively supported the activity.
“Through this collaborative and forward-thinking approach, the City Government of Balanga continues to enhance the quality of life for all Balangueños,” Mayor Francis added. (30)
