THE provincial capital of Bataan — Balanga — is emerging as a major educational center in the Central Luzon region. Located 120 kilometers west of Quezon City and bordered by Manila Bay on its eastern seaboard, Balanga's vision is to become a 'smart university town' and an 'established center for global technology businesses' by 2030.

In 2008, an area comprising 80 hectares of the city's central district was declared a university town through a city ordinance. The area is envisioned as a hub for startups and tech-related businesses. Balanga today has one state university, 10 private colleges, four public high schools, and several private secondary schools.