ALL senators on Monday night adopted a resolution mainly sponsored by Sen. Christopher Go urging the Executive Department to formulate and implement a “Balik Probinsiya” (back to the province) program that aims to decongest Metro Manila, promote more robust regional development, and encourage equitable distribution of wealth, livelihood opportunities and economic growth nationwide.
Go said the program will provide informal settlers and those living in danger areas in Metro Manila with decent housing, easier access to key services, nearby schools, job and livelihood opportunities and even small-business support in the grassroots level to encourage them to return to their home provinces.
The proposal also aims to better prepare the country in responding to future pandemics and other crises similar to what is being experienced now due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his sponsorship speech, Go said the COVID-19 pandemic “has exposed and brought to the surface many of our country’s perennial problems, including congestion in our urban centers, particularly in Metro Manila.
“Such problem results in a whole lot of other issues, including poverty, economic inequality, traffic jams, environmental issues, among others. More importantly, overcrowding in Metro Manila makes it more difficult to contain diseases here, putting us all at risk for future pandemics,” Go said.
Go cited data from the Department of Health which showed that as of May 1, 2020, of the total 8,772 COVID-19 infection cases, NCR registered a total of 5,968 cases, representing 68 percent of the country’s total.
Go’s resolution also cited a study of the Asian Development Bank tagging Metro Manila as the most congested city in Asia with a population greater than five million.
He said traffic congestion alone costs the economy P3.5 billion pesos a day and the situation can get worse at P5.4 billion a day by year 2035 if interventions will not be made, according to another study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Go said such overcrowding predisposes Metro Manila to disease outbreaks and makes it harder for the government to contain pandemics in the national capital.
“Given the nature of the virus and the manner by which it is spread between individuals, highly dense communities in Metro Manila explain why nearly seven out of ten infected Filipinos are found in the nation’s capital,” he said.
To alleviate congestion in the metropolis, Go highlighted the need to improve the quality of life in the country and improve access to quality social services, especially in rural areas, through a “Balik Probinsya” program.
“The proposed program is envisioned as a multi-sectoral comprehensive program to decongest Metro Manila by helping stranded workers and OFWs, assisting people who want to relocate to the provinces, and encouraging people to settle down in the provinces for good,” Go said in his speech.
He added the delivery of social services was also adversely affected due to workers being stranded in Metro Manila during ECQ while their families are in the provinces.
