Balik Probinsiya program will be voluntary, Roque says

Malacañang on Friday said the Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pag-asa Program, which aims to decongest Metro Manila and promote countryside development, would be voluntary.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said programs would be created by the national government so that the public will realize that there are still opportunities and livelihood in provinces.

"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.

"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.

Roque mentioned that provinces in CALABARZON and Cebu have a similar metropolis setup with the National Capital Region. He added 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.

If the public decides to go back to their respective provinces, Roque said quarantine protocols would be observed. Those who intend to return to provinces will be tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), he noted.

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Executive Order 114, creating the Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pag-asa Council, which will provide overall direction in the implementation of the program and ensure compliance of government agencies involved.

Duterte gave 30 days for the council to formulate the guidelines for the implementation of the program which covers empowerment of local industries, food security and agricultural productivity, social welfare, health and employment, and infrastructure development.

It was Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, the Chief Executive's former top aide, who had pushed for the said program.—AOL, GMA News