Balik Probinsiya voluntary- Palace

Malacañang Spokesperson Harry Roque on Friday said the Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pag-asa Program would be voluntary.

“Ito naman po ay boluntaryo, walang sapilitan. Pero kung makikita naman nila ‘yung mga programang bubuuin pa under medium saka long term, mayroon din talagang incentives dahil nga sino ba naman ang ayaw umuwi sa lupang sinilangan kung mayroon naman talagang panghanap-buhay doon,” Roque explained in interview with Unang Balita.

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(This is voluntary, not mandatory. But when they see the programs being developed under the medium and long term, there are also really incentives because who doesn’t want to go back to their homeland if there is really a livelihood there.)

“Ang tingin ko naman ang Pilipinas, di gaya dati. Ngayon pa lamang, bagamat wala pa ‘yung mga bagong batas na isusulong ni Senator Bong Go, eh napakadami nang namumuhunan din sa labas ng Metro Manila,” he added.

(The Philippines, I think, is not like it used to be. Even now, though the law being pushed by Senator Bong Go is not yet here, many already invest in Metro Manila.)

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Roque said CALABARZON provinces and Cebu have a similar metropolis set up with the National Capital Region. He also noted that some areas in Eastern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao have also improved.

“Hindi naman kinakailangan na magtiyaga sa Metro Manila dahil mas marami na ring pagkakataon sa ating mga probinsiya,” Roque said.

(They don’t need to stay in Metro Manila because there are also opportunities in the province.)

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Balik Probinsiya voluntary

Roque explained that those who will join the Balik Probinsiya program should follow quarantine protocols. He noted those who will go back to their provinces would be tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday signed an executive order to implement the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program, to decongest Metro Manila and develop provinces.

Duterte inked Executive Order 114, creating the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Council. The council will oversee the program implementation and compliance of government units involved.

The President said the framework of Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa includes social welfare, food security and agricultural productivity, infrastructure development, health and employment, and empowerment.

Senator Bong Go, who is also Duterte’s former aide, pushed the Balik Probinsya program last month.