Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez: Balik Probinsya a ‘noble act,’ but strict measures should be enforced

Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez deemed the government's order of implementing Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program as a "noble act," but he said that local government units must prepare for this to ensure safety among the public, especially at this time of health crisis.

At the Laging Handa virtual press briefing on Thursday, Gomez shared the preparation of Ormoc City, which remains free from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), regarding the said program.

"'Yung Balik Probinsya na ipapatupad ng national government natin is a very noble act except that kailangan pagdating noong mga galing sa Balik Probinsya program, dapat mayroon tayong strict protocols," Gomez said.

Gomez noted that if the program will be implemented, those who will return to their provinces must undergo quarantine first. He said a housing area was converted into a quarantine facility in Ormoc City, complete with medical staff.

"We prepared an area na pagpasok nila, kailangan muna nilang mag-quarantine. Mayroon kaming NHA housing dito na dapat naming ituturnover, because of the COVID, nadelay 'yung pagturnover namin. Kinonvert muna namin siya into an isolation and quarantine area," he said.

"Tamang-tama pag pumasok 'yung galing sa ibang lugar, may mandatory 14-days sila na quarantine and mandatory rapid test," Gomez added.

On Wednesday, President Rodrigo Duterte inked Executive Order 114, creating the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Council, that aims to decongest Metro Manila and promote countryside development.

The said council would 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. — RSJ, GMA News