MANILA—“This is a long term program. Huwag po tayong ma-expect ng milagro dahil kailangan nating pag-aralang mabuti ang programang ito,” said DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya during a radio-TV interview over DZBB on Friday, and monitored by Sandigan News and Banat Pilipinas News.
USec. Malaya broached this comment about the Balik Probinsya Program (BPP), a brainchild of Senator Bong Go, as a strategy to decongest Metro Manila and other metropolis in the country and to spur economic and infrastructure development in rural areas.
He said that under Administrative Order No. 114 that was issued by President Rodrigo Duterte lately, there will be formed a BP Council headed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea that will study and plan for the program.
“The program has three stages, the immediate, medium-term and long-term. Under the immediate ay ang madaliang pag-uwi sa sinumang gustong umuwi sa kanilang probinsya. Katulong natin dito ang Department of Transportation na tutugon sa pangangailangan ng transportasyon,” USec. Malaya said.
He further said the medium and long-terms need financial support of the national to the local government units (LGUs) for the returning families. We have to improve the economy and infrastructure of LGUs so that families have employment and livelihood opportunities.
“Kung hindi natin matutugunan ito, babalik at babalik talaga ang mga pamilya sa Maynila,” USec. Malaya stressed.
He continued that a comprehensive plan must be made to make it viable. There are already programs of the government in the LGUs like the TESDA training. But Malaya said the government needs to study about giving incentives to investors who will bring their capital to rural areas. Also, they need a plan on how to help the micro, small and medium enterprises that will help absorb returning families and of course to maintain peace and order.
“Kung walang peace and order, hindi ma-sustain ang programa,” he finally said.
