Camarines Sur, Leyte back Balik Probinsya program -Palace

Camarines Sur and Leyte have expressed intention to take part in the government’s program to decongest Metro Manila and spur economic development in the provinces, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. made the disclosure a day after President Rodrigo Duterte signed an executive order on the implementation of the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program.

Financial and non-cash assistance will be given to those who plan to go back to their home provinces, Roque said. He also said transportation will be provided while the staging area will be at the National Housing Authority.

“Alam ninyo po kasi habang mahirap ang buhay sa Metro Manila, marami talagang gustong umuwi na sa kanilang mga probinsiya. So, ginagawa naman po ng paraan na iyong talagang iba na nais nang bumalik sa kanilang mga probinsiya ay makabalik na,” Roque said at a televised briefing.

“At ang napag-alaman ko po na dalawang probinsiya na ang tatanggap ng mga babalik-probinsiya – ang probinsiya ng Leyte at ang probinsiya ng Camarines Sur.”

Roque added quarantine guidelines will have to be followed in the transport of people from Metro Manila to the provinces to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus disease 2019.

The program’s framework covers empowerment of local industries, food security and agricultural productivity, social welfare, health and employment, and infrastructure development.

In the long term, Roque said the government will have to push for legislation on decentralization of powers,  tax incentives, and private and business opportunities.

The government also aims to establish new economic zones in growth centers and review the internal revenue allotment of local government units. -MDM, GMA News