President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed support for Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go’s proposed “Balik Probinsya” program that seeks to decongest overcrowded Metro Manila once the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic is put under control. Go said his proposal is being studied by the government.
1. free transportation and;
2. livelihood assistance to Metro Manila residents who want to be relocated to their respective provinces. [1]
Agency that will provide incentives:
1. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - The Department of Trade and Industry expressed desire to provide more incentives for businesses that will be put up in provinces to encourage more people to return there because of increased job opportunities. Affirming his support for the "Balik Probinsya" program, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said "we will give more incentives papunta sa probinsya, kaysa sa maglo-locate sa Metro Manila. Ibig sabihin nun, attraction to looking outside." DTI has existing program to develop micro, small and medium enterprises, involving, among others, small business capitalization starting in the barangay level. [2]
2. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) - The Department of Social Welfare and Development will be preparing to adopt the community-driven development approach in designing its own initiatives to support the "Balik Probinsya" program. This will involve encouraging people affected by disasters or internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return to their original abodes. Eventually, DSWD hopes to address many issues, such as families preferring to stay in big cities for lack of regular sources of income in the province, children enrolled in different schools, housing problem forcing them to live with poor relatives in cramped dwellings, absence of farm land to till, and constrained support system, among others. [2]
3. Department of Finance - Department of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Chua believe that passage of Senate Bill 1357 or the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (CITIRA) will reinforce the "Balik Probinsya" program where more incentives will be given to businesses in the provinces. [2]
Effectivity (Proposed): The planned relocation would start after Pres. Duterte lifts the implementation of the ECQ in Metro Manila and other areas with confirmed Covid-19 cases.
Sources:
[1] https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1100982
[2]http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2020/0426_go1.asp
Photo Source: http://nci.da.gov.ph/index.php/programs-and-projects/balik-probinsya-program-bpp
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