POLITICAL WILL KEY TO BALIK PROBINSYA’S SUCCESS – GO

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said political will is crucial in making the “Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pagasa” (BP2) program work.

Go on Thursday sent off the first batch of beneficiaries of the program designed to decongest the densely populated Metro Manila.

The group of 111 people, made up of 85 families, left the metropolis to

start a new life in their home province of Leyte.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea also attended the send- off in Quezon City.

There were 3,380 applications for the program in Leyte alone.

“Natutuwaakonangayongaraw aynasimulannanatinang pilot testing ng BP2 Program. Nakikita natinang efficiency ngimplementasyon atinginihahandogparasamga Pilipino.May political will ang atinggobyerno...importantena nasimulannanatinito ( I am happy that we have started the pilot testing of BP2 program. We have seen the efficiency of the implementation of this program that we are offering for the Filipinos. The government has political will… it is important that we have started this),” Go said.

He added that the initiative aims to spark the hope of Filipinos who were still reeling from the coronavirus crisis.

On May 6, President Rodrigo Duterte issued an executive order institutionalizing the program and creating an inter- agency council to draw up policies and programs and oversee its implementation.

Before the beneficiaries left for Leyte, their documents and health clearances were processed and evaluated by concerned government agencies. Booths were set up where the National Housing Authority released boarding passes, the Department of Health tested them for the coronavirus and presented local health clearances, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development ( DSWD) provided them with transportation and financial allowance. The Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board prepared five buses for the Leytebound families.

The Office of Go also provided food packs, protective masks and other forms of assistance.

The Department of Agriculture gave the beneficiaries processed agricultural products, as well as starter kits for backyard planting.

The DSWD will also provide food packs upon arrival to their province. A livelihood grant will also be given within 15 days from arrival. The Department of the Interior and Local Government coordinated with the receiving local government unit to ensure that the beneficiaries will get support and assistance once they arrive.

Other provinces are being pilottested for BP2.

Go said Leyte was the first destination because of the big number of applicants. The provincial government was also one of the first to signify its readiness to accept returning residents.

The provinces that have the highest number of registered beneficiaries are Samar, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Northern Samar, Camarines Sur, Pangasinan and Masbate.

The senator emphasized that the program was voluntary. “Wala pong pilitan ito. Kung ayaw niyo, hindi kayo pipilitin ng gobyerno. Kung gusto niyo, matutulungan po kayo. Binibigyan kayo ni Pangulong [ Rodrigo] Duterte ng bagong pag-asa ( There is no compulsion. If you do not like it, the government will not force you. However, if you want, you’ll be assisted, President Duterte will give you a new hope),” he said.