DTI urges public to avail of 'Balik Probinsya' program
Published May 20, 2020 12:00 am
By Jeffrey Damicog
Metro Manila residents have been urged to avail of the government's Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa Program (BPBPP) as it seeks to decongest the National Capital Region (NCR) which has become the hardest hit by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
DTI Undersecretary for Special Concerns Abdulgani Macatoman (DTI Philippines offficial facebook page/ MANILA BULLETIN)
“Na-experience po natin dito sa COVID-19 pandemic na ang malaking tama po ay dito sa Metro Manila (We have experienced during this COVID-19 pandemic that Metro Manila has become the hardest hit),” said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman during an interview over CNN Philippines on Wednesday morning.
“That’s why gusto, po natin mahikayat o maengganyo yung ating mga kababayan to return to their home town or home provinces (That’s why we want to encourage or entice everyone to return to their home towns or home provinces),” he said.
Macatoman said President Duterte has already signed Executive Order 114, the Balik Probinsya Bagong Pag-Asa Program, which was originally proposed by Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.
“Through this executive order, the purpose is to decongest Metro Manila, promote robust regional and rural development, and also to create new urban centers and balance the development between urbanized areas and the countryside,” he said.
“The program seeks to facilitate the return of Metro Manila residents to the regional centers,” he added.
Macatoman said the program involves multiple government agencies with the National Housing Authority as head of the secretariat.
As for the DTI, Macatoman said the Department has a program in support of the BPBPP.
“We have immediate support program for the Balik Probinsya and, yes, we have a program for the livelihood generating program for the barangay level,” he said.
“We can train them on what business they want to promote and provide them with the starter kits through the livelihood generating program,” he added.
“If they want capital, the DTI can also provide a fund,” he assured, adding that the loan has low interest rates for qualified small and medium enterprises.
“Our enrollee can avail of this program through different agencies or departments involved in the program which are mandated to have a copy of the application form for free,” he said.
DTI Undersecretary for Special Concerns Abdulgani Macatoman (DTI Philippines offficial facebook page/ MANILA BULLETIN)
“Na-experience po natin dito sa COVID-19 pandemic na ang malaking tama po ay dito sa Metro Manila (We have experienced during this COVID-19 pandemic that Metro Manila has become the hardest hit),” said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman during an interview over CNN Philippines on Wednesday morning.
“That’s why gusto, po natin mahikayat o maengganyo yung ating mga kababayan to return to their home town or home provinces (That’s why we want to encourage or entice everyone to return to their home towns or home provinces),” he said.
Macatoman said President Duterte has already signed Executive Order 114, the Balik Probinsya Bagong Pag-Asa Program, which was originally proposed by Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.
“Through this executive order, the purpose is to decongest Metro Manila, promote robust regional and rural development, and also to create new urban centers and balance the development between urbanized areas and the countryside,” he said.
“The program seeks to facilitate the return of Metro Manila residents to the regional centers,” he added.
Macatoman said the program involves multiple government agencies with the National Housing Authority as head of the secretariat.
As for the DTI, Macatoman said the Department has a program in support of the BPBPP.
“We have immediate support program for the Balik Probinsya and, yes, we have a program for the livelihood generating program for the barangay level,” he said.
“We can train them on what business they want to promote and provide them with the starter kits through the livelihood generating program,” he added.
“If they want capital, the DTI can also provide a fund,” he assured, adding that the loan has low interest rates for qualified small and medium enterprises.
“Our enrollee can avail of this program through different agencies or departments involved in the program which are mandated to have a copy of the application form for free,” he said.