BALANGA CITY, Bataan — The Provincial Government has launched the Bataeño Pass at the Tourism Pavillion in this city Wednesday.

The launching of the Bataeño Pass is in collaboration with the New Zealand Embassy in Manila. The pass would provide the residents of the province with a more efficient and convenient way to access public services from government agencies here.

According to Governor Joet Garcia, Bataan has always been a province of innovation, progress and community-driven governance, adding that the hardworking, resilient and ambitious people of Bataan deserve nothing but the best.

The pass, he cited, would remove the hassle of having to wait in long lines, taking up repetitive processes, and excessive paperwork to be given the most basic government services.

He said that the Bataeño would now only need one pass in accessing all the government services provided by the national government and the provincial government, removing the need to secure multiple certifications, various IDs, and traveling from one office to another due to outdated records.

The Bataeño Pass will serve as an identification card, as well as an access card for various systems that require important citizen’s documents and information. Garcia said that this will be a centralized base of information that will be accessible to the local government units.

“Whether it is for social welfare programs, livelihood support, or emergency assistance, the Bataeño Pass ensures that help reaches the right people at the right time,” he said.

The Bataeño Pass will include a standardized process for issuing certifications and clearances, reducing delays and inconsistencies in government transactions, aligning with the National ID system and the eGov platforms of the national government.

The governor expressed his gratitude to the Embassy of New Zealand in Manila for the grant provided to the provincial government.

New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Catherine Mcintosh cited that the province is making waves in innovation, reinventing the playbook on how government works-smarter, not just harder.

“Today, we celebrate the Bataan govtech accelerator program, a brilliant example of what happens when you make fresh ideas in both leadership and a whole lot of collaboration,” she said.

McIntosh said that the Bataeño Pass is not only digital tools or efficiency, but reimagining the governance for the people it serves.

“The Philippines is full of potential and Bataan is proving that with the right mindset, government can be innovative just like the world’s best,” she added.