Balanga (Bataan)

Balanga is the provincial capital and the only city in Bataan.

Understand
Formerly a barrio of nearby Abucay, Balanga was created as a Franciscan mission in 1739. When Bataan became a province in 1757 out of territories belonging to Pampanga, it was made the provincial capital.

Balanga has been a city since 2000, but it still has a large town feel. The city remains reliant on agriculture, most areas in town are residential, and the city proper is much typical of many small Philippine cities. Balanga is also the educational center of Bataan, and houses the main campus of the Bataan Peninsula State University.

By bus
Most buses arrive at a common terminal at along the highway, but the large bus companies like Bataan Transit, Genesis Transport, and Victory Liner arrive at their own terminals not far away from the downtown.

By car
Balanga is along the Roman Superhighway, as well as an older route which passes directly through the downtown.

Get around
Balanga has a small downtown area, and is easily explored on foot. Sights within downtown are not far apart. To get into the wetland park, you can take a tricycle.