Senator Cristopher “Bong” Go said Thursday the Balik Probinsya program would help to decongest Metro Manila as part of post-coronavirus disease 2019 normalization.
“Ilipat natin ang mga tao sa tamang panahon o kapag sinabi na ng ating health experts na safe na. Pero ngayon palang, paghandaan na natin ito dahil kung hahayaan lang natin na patuloy na magsikip ang mga tao sa Kamaynilaan, mas mataas ang tyansa na manumbalik na naman ang pagkalat ng virus,” said Go who is also the chairman of the Senate committee on health.
(Let us transfer the people at the right time or when the health experts say it is already safe. But for now, let us prepare for it because if we will just allow the people to congest Manila, there is a higher chance of the virus spreading again.)
President Duterte’s longtime aid also said livelihood opportunities and incentives should be given to anyone who would agree to be relocated to the provinces. He stressed that the Balik Probinsya program is a long-term solution to prevent the spread of the virus.
Also read: Bong Go favors Metro Manila lockdown extension
Balik Probinsya project
“Ngayon, mas nararamdaman natin ang matagal nang pinupunto ng Pangulo na kailangan talaga i-develop ang iba pang probinsiya para mabawasan ang tao sa Metro Manila. Masyadong masikip dito, mabilis kumalat ang sakit,” he said.
(Now, we feel more and more what President has been saying that it is necessary to develop other provinces to reduce people in Metro Manila. It’s too crowded here. The disease spreads quickly.)
Go added that with a reduced population density, Metro Manila local government units, Metro Manila could respond better to health crises. Additional resources could also be distributed to other regions in the country.
“Ihanda natin ang mga probinsiya kapag lumipat na ang mga tao doon. Dapat masigurado na may kapasidad ang mga probinsya na maalagaan sila at mabigyan ng matitirahan, makakain, at ikabubuhay,” Go said.
(Let us prepare the provinces when the people move there. Provinces must ensure that they can care for them and provide shelter, food, and livelihood.)
He also pledged to find ways to urge business people to invest or expand in the provinces so people would no longer need to go to Metro Manila to get jobs.