PRESIDENT Duterte has institutionalized the “Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa” (BP2) program that aims to promote countryside development while decongesting the Metro Manila.
The President, in signing Executive Order 114 titled “Institutionalizing the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Programs as a Pillar of Balanced Regional Development, Creating a Council Thereof, and for Other Purposes,” on Wednesday, said there had been an uncontrolled upsurge of population in Metro Manila that resulted in the lack of viable and sustainable employment in the countryside, unbalanced regional development, and unequal distribution of wealth.
The EO added that for government to ensure the balancing of “regional development and equitable distribution of wealth, resources and opportunities through policies and programs that boost countryside development and inclusive growth, provide adequate social services, and promote full employment, industrialization and an improved quality of life in rural areas,” programs like the BP2 should be undertaken.
Under the EO, a Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa Council chaired by the Executive Secretary will be created to craft and oversee a government action plan to realize the BP2; identify legislative, regulatory, and policy changes to promote balanced regional development and recommend to Congress the enactment of such reforms into law; coordinate with local government units to formulate policies and implement the program’s components; and submit a bi-annual report on their short, medium, long term goals and budget utilization to the President, among others.
Members of the Council include the Planning Secretary as vice-chairman and the secretaries of the Departments of Interior and Local Government, Social Welfare, Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, Trade, Labor, Health, Science, Budget Public Works, Tourism, Education and Human Settlements and Urban Development.
Also in the Council are the chairpersons of the Commission on Higher Education, Mindanao Development Authority, and Cooperative Development Authority.
The BP2 program’s key areas shall include empowerment of local industries, food security and agricultural productivity, social welfare, health and employment; and development of infrastructure.
Funding for the implementation of the programs and projects to realize the BP2 shall be sourced from the member agencies.
