By Genalyn Kabiling The government has pledged to provide livelihood assistance to the people who will avail of the "Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa" program. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.
(YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the assurance after government facilitated the return of 121 people to Palo, Leyte last Wednesday. "Mayroon po tayong mga 121 na mga kababayan na nakauwi nga po sa Palo, Leyte kahapon lamang at sila po ay binigyan ng tulong ng national government, lahat po ng ahensiya ng gobyerno. Bibigyan din po sila ng livelihood pagdating sa Palo, Leyte (We have 121 countrymen who returned to Palo, Leyte last Wednesday and they have been given assistance by the national government, all government agencies. they will also be given livelihood upon arrival in Palo, Leyte),” Roque said during a televised press briefing at the Palace Thursday. "Ito po ay panimula pa lamang at ang pangako po natin, lahat ng gustong umuwi sa probinsiya, mabibigyan po ng pagkakataon dahil alam natin na ang Balik Probinsya ay nagbibigay ng bagong pag-asa (This is just the start and we promise that all those who want to return to the province will be given a chance because we know that going back to the provinces gives new hope)," he said. The send-off ceremony for the Balik-Probinisya beneficiaries was attended by Senator Christopher Go, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and other government officials. Early this month, President Duterte issued Executive Order No. 114 institutionalizing the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) program, which includes the "voluntary" movement of people and businesses to rural areas, as a pillar of balanced regional development. Under the Balik Probinsya program, the government will implement programs aimed at boosting countryside development and inclusive growth, providing adequate social services and promote employment, industrialization and improving quality of life in rural areas. Duterte, in a weekly report to Congress, said the BP2 program seeks to promote balanced regional development as well as equitable distribution of wealth resources and opportunities. "It presents a whole of government approach to address the long-recognized need to dilute the concentration of power and access to services in the NCR (National Capital Region) and distribute opportunities and services to the provinces,” he said.