Highlights of Initiatives for 2026

Governor Jose Enrique “Joet” Garcia III outlined the Provincial Government’s priorities for 2026 in his State of the Province Address held January 10 at the Bataan People’s Center, highlighting public health and education initiatives aimed at sustaining progress while addressing persistent gaps experienced last year.

On healthcare, Gov. Garcia called for stronger community-based prevention and quicker reporting for preventable illnesses, citing continued rise in cases tied to dengue and animal bites in some areas. He also underscored the need to improve maternal and newborn care through better tracking, referrals, and facility readiness.

To help address the rising number of smokers and vape users, the province will attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest dance fitness class. The governor said the initiative will support the tobacco-free generation movement, which strengthens anti-smoking and anti-vaping advocacy, particularly among Bataeño youth.

On childhood development, the governor emphasized the expansion of EduChild, a parenting program designed to strengthen parental involvement in children’s development, covering health, learning, and discipline at home, which supports the goals of the Parent Effectiveness Service Program on mandating structured parenting education and guidance nationwide.

To boost participation, Gov. Garcia said the province will encourage wider attendance through clearer barangay schedules and closer coordination with daycare centers and schools. He added that the provincial government will also provide learning tools for daycare centers including digital equipment to help make sessions more engaging and support early learning outcomes. In addition, EduChild parents and their children will be among this year’s focus under the Bisita Bayan Kada Buwan initiative.

Moreover, to address the learning gaps, particularly in reading skills and comprehension being experienced in the whole country, Gov. Garcia said the provincial government will continue supporting DepEd’s interventions to help learners catch up. These include the distribution of learning devices such as tablets to all Junior High School students under the DepEd Bataan, strengthen the use of a learning management system and continue to support schools in implementing learning recovery measures under the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act.

On economic development, he cited the continued push for major infrastructure and connectivity projects, alongside initiatives meant to strengthen investor confidence, expand economic zones, and attract more renewable energy investments.

Gov. Garcia likewise renewed his call for unity under the “1Bataan” thrust, emphasizing collaboration among local governments, agencies, communities, and partners in advancing the province’s development agenda.

The SOPA was delivered in line with the 269th Bataan Foundation Day celebration, which brought together members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Governor Cris Garcia, local chief executives led by League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Bataan Chapter President Tony Pep Raymundo, representatives from various national government agencies and private sector, and other stakeholders to mark the province’s continuing journey, recognize shared accomplishments, and reaffirm commitments to programs that support the overall development of Bataan.