THE late former Macabebe, Pampanga Mayor Annette Flores-Balgan prioritized education and pushed livelihood for her people throughout her public service career.
Balgan, who died at 77 on September 3, spent her own money to fund the education of hundreds of poor but deserving students for nine straight years. She was mayor from 2010 to 2019.
Balgan is a firm believer of this saying: “Give a Man a Fish, and You Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Man To Fish, and You Feed Him for a Lifetime.”
Balgan, a former teacher, stressed that education is the greatest weapon against poverty.
The first woman mayor of Macabebe also allotted funds from the municipal coffers to allow students from coastal villages to study.
They were ferried to their respective schools and back to their houses using a boat rented by the local government.
“Many parents from coastal villages were discouraged to send their children to school because they have to spend for boat transportation. It was quite expensive, considering they have to attend school five times a week,” said Balgan when she was mayor.
There are three coastal villages in Macabebe – Dalayap, San Esteban and Consuelo.
Balgan also noticed that several women in coastal barangays and other villages get pregnant early in their lives because they were not studying or were idle.
“Marrying early or teenage pregnancy adds to poverty,” she stressed.
In her early years as mayor, Balgan established the Macabebe Hidden Paradise Training Center. It is an institution accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Vocational Education and Training Center (TVET) under the TESDA and Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
It gives free training to Macabebe folk wanting to have skills and knowledge worthy of higher salaries.
“The Macabebe Hidden Paradise allowed many of my constituents to have work opportunities here and abroad. They got higher salaries because of the training accredited by TESDA,” said Balgan.
She allotted huge amount of funds, including those coming from then Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda, to improve the facilities and equipment at the Macabebe Hidden Paradise.
Balgan also put a premium on peace and order. She was vocal against all forms of criminality, including the proliferation of illegal drugs.
In 2016, the Philippine National Police (PNP) gave an award to Balgan for her relentless drive against crime and illegal drugs. She was the only mayor from Pampanga and Central Luzon cited then by the PNP.
Balgan was also vice mayor from 2019 to 2022. She was the barangay captain of Batasan when she peacefully joined her Creator.
She left behind children Jumbo, Monette, and Bembong, a former municipal councilor. Jordan, Balgan’s youngest son, died earlier.
