CSWDO-City of Balanga, Bataan

🌈 Happy Pride Month! 🌈

This June, we celebrate the courage, diversity, and achievements of
the LGBTQIA+ community. Pride is more than a celebration—it is a
reminder of the ongoing journey toward equality, inclusion, and the
freedom to live authentically.

As we honor our shared stories and strengthen our collective voice, we
warmly invite you to join our LGBTQIA+ General Assembly. This
gathering is a space to connect, engage in meaningful conversations,
and work together toward a more inclusive and empowering community for
all. Provided below are the information for our upcoming event:

What: Balanga LGBTQIA+ General Assembly
Who: City of Balanga LGBTQIA+ Members and Allies, 15 years old and above
Where: Barangay Function Hall of Doña Francisca, City of Balanga, Bataan
When: June 23, 2026 at 8:30AM 4:00PM

We have allotted 50 slots for the event.

Here is the link for the Registration Form: https://forms.gle/JSxEcpuqxecWBvDE6

See you at the LGBTQIA+ General Assembly! 🏳️‍🌈

Congratulations, City of Balanga Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (CCAT-VAWC) for sustaining HIGHLY FUNCTIONAL.

The Project Youth LEAD: From preparation to purpose, the rise of a children and youth movement for change.

Project Youth LEAD (Leadership, Engagement, Action, Development) is a flagship initiative of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) of LGU Balanga, developed in strong partnership with Peace Corps Philippines. What began as a simple capacity-building effort has grown into a powerful children and youth-led movement shaping children and young people to become facilitators, educators, and advocates for their own generation.

The journey started on December 16, 2026, through an initial Capacity Building session for youth leaders from schools and barangays. In this foundational gathering, the voices of young people were heard, and the most pressing issues affecting children and youth today were identified. These became the six core themes that would guide the entire program.

As the vision deepened, the initiative moved into a more focused phase of leadership development. On April 8, 2026, fifteen Youth Facilitator Leaders were formally trained through a Training of Trainers program. This marked a turning point where selected youth were prepared not just to learn, but to teach and lead.

On April 15, 2026, more than 80 children and youth engaged in preparatory practice sessions, strengthening their understanding and confidence in delivering the six core topics. These sessions served as a bridge between learning and real community engagement, allowing the youth to experience facilitation before stepping into actual communities.

This journey culminated in the Youth Camp 2026 held on May 7–8, 2026 at Stella Maris Retreat Center in Upper Tuyo. More than 80 Youth LEAD Facilitators officially graduated, stepping forward as empowered young leaders ready to serve their communities after only a short but intensive preparation period.

The true impact of the program unfolded immediately after.

From May 18 to 22, 2026, the Youth LEAD Facilitators conducted their community roll-out sessions across Balanga City. What made this week remarkable was not only the number of participants reached, but the courage and commitment of the young facilitators themselves.

In Cupang West and Cataning, the group EVERYONE reached more than 70 children. In Central and Cupang Proper, THE CLICK engaged over 50 children in meaningful discussions on sensitive but essential youth topics. For the group, GOAL SMASHERS, over 70 children in Tuyo and Bagong Silang joined the sessions. In Camacho, Tanato, Cabog-Cabog, and Dangcol, 4DIBLE successfully reached more than 60 children, demonstrating strong peer leadership and compassion. Finally, in Tenejero and Sibacan, HIGH 5 reached over 50 children continuing their sessions despite extreme heat and unexpected brownouts, proving that dedication does not waver in the face of challenges.

Across all sessions, the same six essential themes were shared: protecting oneself, consent and respect, healthy physical lifestyle, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, positive relationships, and mental health. These are not just lessons but they are tools for life, delivered by young people to their own peers.

This milestone would not have been possible without the unwavering support and guidance of Peace Corps Philippines, especially Anne Tengson and Josh Brown, the dedicated Peace Corps Volunteers and PCV Leaders, and Mr. Ambet Yangco. Deep gratitude is also extended to Hon. Mayor Raquel Francis D. Garcia, SP Nazareth Vasquez and SPs and all barangay officials and partners across the City of Balanga whose commitment helped bring this vision to life. Kudos also to CSWDO, Ma'am Lalaine, Tek, Simei, Admin Staff and our Child Development Workers for their hard work.

Project Youth LEAD stands today as more than a program. It is living proof that when local government, international partners, and young leaders come together with a shared purpose, transformation becomes real and sustainable.

And this is only the beginning because a new generation of leaders has already risen.

MULA SA KABATAAN, PARA SA KABATAAN: SIMULA NG PAG-ASA AT PAGBABAGO!

May 22, 2026—-Sa kanilang pinakaunang rollout sessions, ipinakita ng aming trained Project Youth LEAD Facilitators na HIGH 5 na ang tunay na malasakit at dedikasyon ng kabataan ay hindi matitinag ng anumang hamon.

Sa kabila ng matinding init ng panahon at brownout, hindi ito naging hadlang upang maipagpatuloy ng HIGH 5 ang kanilang misyon na magbahagi ng mahahalagang kaalaman para sa kapwa nila bata. Sa halip, lalo nilang pinatunayan ang kanilang passion, commitment, at kahandaang maglingkod sa komunidad.

Sila mismo ang naghanda at nagturo sa mahigit 50 bata mula sa Barangay Tenejero at Sibacan tungkol sa mga paksang mahalaga sa kaligtasan, kalusugan, at positibong pag-unlad ng kabataan:

🌱 Protecting Oneself
🌱 Consent and Respect
🌱 Healthy Physical Lifestyle
🌱 Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
🌱 Positive Relationships
🌱 Mental Health

Ang kanilang unang sessions ay hindi lamang simpleng gawain—ito ay simula ng isang makabuluhang adbokasiya kung saan ang kabataan mismo ang nagiging boses, gabay, at inspirasyon para sa kanilang kapwa bata.

Sa lahat ng miyembro ng HIGH 5 at kanilang Youth Leaders, maraming salamat sa inyong dedikasyon, tiyaga, at puso sa paglilingkod. Ang inyong ipinakitang sipag at malasakit ay patunay na kayang magdala ng tunay na pagbabago ang kabataang handang kumilos para sa kapakanan ng iba.

Lubos din ang aming pasasalamat sa mga opisyal ng Barangay Tenejero at Sibacan sa inyong suporta at pakikiisa upang maging matagumpay ang makabuluhang gawaing ito.

Kapag ang kabataan ay nabibigyan ng pagkakataong manguna at maglingkod, nagiging posible ang mas ligtas, mas mulat, at mas maunlad na kinabukasan para sa bawat bata.

ISANG MAKABULUHANG ADBOKASIYA NG KABATAAN PARA SA KAPWA KABATAAN!

May 21, 2026—-Sa kanilang pinakaunang rollout sessions, ipinakita ng aming ika-apat na grupo ng trained Project Youth LEAD Facilitators, 4DIBLE, na ang kabataan ay may kakayahang manguna, maglingkod, at maging instrumento ng positibong pagbabago sa kanilang komunidad.

Bagamat ito pa lamang ang kanilang unang gawain bilang youth facilitators, hindi sila nagpatinag sa hamon ng paghahanda at pagtuturo ng mahahalagang kaalaman para sa kapwa nila bata. Sa halip, buong puso nilang inako ang responsibilidad na maging boses at gabay ng mga kabataan.

Sila mismo ang naghanda, nagsumikap, at nagturo sa mahigit 60 bata mula sa Barangay Camacho, Tanato, Cabog-Cabog, at Dangcol tungkol sa mga paksang mahalaga sa kaligtasan, kalusugan, at maayos na pag-unlad ng kabataan:

🌱 Protecting Oneself
🌱 Consent and Respect
🌱 Healthy Physical Lifestyle
🌱 Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
🌱 Positive Relationships
🌱 Mental Health

Ang kanilang ginawa ay hindi lamang simpleng pagtuturo. Ito ay isang adbokasiya ng malasakit, empowerment, at pagkilos para sa kapakanan ng kapwa bata.

Sa bawat salitang kanilang ibinahagi at bawat batang kanilang naabot, ipinakita ng 4DIBLE na kapag ang kabataan ay binigyan ng pagkakataon at tamang gabay, kaya nilang maging lider at tagapagtaguyod ng makabuluhang pagbabago.

Sa lahat ng miyembro ng 4DIBLE at kanilang Youth Leaders, maraming salamat sa inyong dedikasyon, tapang, at puso sa paglilingkod. Tunay kayong inspirasyon sa inyong kapwa kabataan at sa buong komunidad.

Lubos din ang aming pasasalamat sa mga opisyal ng Barangay Camacho, Tanato, Cabog-Cabog, at Dangcol sa inyong suporta at pakikiisa upang maisakatuparan ang adhikaing ito.

Dahil ang bawat batang may kaalaman ay hakbang tungo sa mas ligtas, mas matatag, at mas maliwanag na kinabukasan.

Seed Capital Funds for Solo Parents

May 26, 2026----The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), in partnership with the DSWD Sustainable Livelihood Program, successfully awarded Seed Capital Funds amounting to ₱20,000 each to 10 individual program participants from the solo parent sector in the City of Balanga. In the photos are the beneficiaries with the Department Head of CSWD, Ma'am Lalaine R. De Leon and Ma'am Alice Labrador, DSWD SLP Project Development Officer.

The beneficiaries came from the barangays of Bagong Silang, Cabog-Cabog, Cataning, Central, and Cupang Proper, and will use the assistance to start or strengthen their small businesses such as sari-sari stores, e-loading services, dressmaking, broiler chicken production, and kakanin making.

This initiative aims to empower solo parents by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities that will help improve their income, support their families, and build a more secure future for their children.

The City Government of Balanga continues to champion inclusive and people-centered programs that uplift vulnerable sectors and create opportunities for growth, resilience, and self-sufficiency.

Together, we build stronger families and a more empowered community! 🌟

BIG NEWS FOR THE CITY OF BALANGA!

The City of Balanga has once again successfully SUSTAINED its IDEAL LEVEL OF FUNCTIONALITY during the 2026 Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) Functionality Assessment!

This remarkable achievement proves that Balanga continues to stand strong as a true CHILD-FRIENDLY CITY, a city where the rights, welfare, protection, and development of every child remain a top priority.

Guided by the vision of “Mapagkalinga and Kahanga-hanga,” the City Government of Balanga continues to create safe spaces, responsive programs, and meaningful opportunities where every child can grow, participate, and thrive.

This milestone is a reflection of the collective commitment and hard work of the local government, barangays, schools, partner agencies, organizations, families, and children themselves in building a community that genuinely cares for every young Balangueño.

Indeed, in Balanga, child protection is not just a responsibility but it is a shared mission and a way of life.

Together, let us continue championing the rights of every child and making Balanga an even brighter and safer place for future generations!

One Goal, One Session at a time!

Ginanap noong May 20, 2026 sa Barangay Tuyo at Barangay Bagong Silang ang unang youth session ng ikatlong grupo ng trained Youth LEAD Facilitators na GOAL SMASHERS.

Matagumpay na naisakatuparan ng grupo ang layunin na makapagbigay ng makabuluhang kaalaman, kamalayan, at inspirasyon sa mahigit 60 kabataan sa pamamagitan ng kanilang youth-led sessions. Pinatunayan nila na sa tulong ng tamang pagsasanay, malasakit, at pagkakaisa, kayang maging instrumento ng positibong pagbabago ng kabataan para sa kapwa kabataan.

Ang tagumpay ng unang youth session na ito ay isang mahalagang hakbang tungo sa patuloy na pagsusulong ng child-friendly at youth-responsive na komunidad sa Lungsod ng Balanga. Higit pa rito, ito ay simula ng mas matibay at sustenableng pagkilos upang mapanatili ang pagbibigay kaalaman, paghubog ng responsableng kabataan, at pagpapalakas ng partisipasyon ng kabataan sa mga susunod pang panahon.

Taos-pusong pasasalamat sa mga pamunuan ng Barangay Tuyo at Barangay Bagong Silang sa inyong buong pusong suporta at pakikiisa sa mga programang nagbibigay-lakas at pag-asa sa ating mga kabataan. Tunay na sa sama-samang pagkilos, mas maraming buhay ang maaabot at mababago.