BACK TO THE PROVINCE. Health personnel in protective gear examine the first batch of repatriates from Metro Manila upon their arrival in Palo, Leyte on Thursday night (May 21, 2020). More than 100 Leyte residents have availed of the "Balik Probinsya, Balik Pag-asa” program of the national government. (Photo courtesy of the Department of Agriculture 8)
PALO, Leyte – Leyte’s provincial government welcomed here Thursday night the first batch of “Balik Probinsya, Balik Pag-asa” program beneficiaries from the National Capital Region.
Governor Dominic Petillla led local officials in welcoming the more than 100 returning residents from Metro Manila past 9 p.m. after a 28-hour land trip.
"The report to us is that there are 112 of them, but the number could be higher because some of their family members decided to travel with them back to Leyte," he said.
There were 100 individuals and two families who arrived or an estimated 112 returnees, the Office of the Governor told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a text message on Friday.
All of them went through the disinfection procedures, interview, and swab collection for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) confirmatory testing in a tent at the town’s Government Center for a short briefing and taking of swab samples.
“We may not be able to provide their dream job because of the global recession, but we are happy that they are with their families now and they can help develop their own farms. We have lined up several interventions to help them become more productive and self-sustaining,” Petilla told reporters.
Among these interventions are livelihood and skills training related to agriculture, the main thrust of the provincial government.
He said the provincial government has expressed its intention to pilot the program since mayors in Leyte have received many calls about stranded residents in Manila.
The returning residents are from the towns of Kanangga, Matag-ob, Alangalang, Tanauan, Hilongos, Bato, Burauen, Dagami, Julita, Tabobtabon, Palo, Tolosa, Isabel, Palompon, Tabango, Villaba, Abuyog, Javier, MacArthur, Calubia, San Isidro, Albuera, Merida, Tunga, Dulag, Mayorga, Carigara, Jaro, Babatngon, Barugo, Capoocan, Matalom, and Baybay City.
After the taking of swab samples, representatives of local government units transported them to isolation facilities where they will stay while waiting for the test results.
Most of them, Petilla said, are workers who lost their jobs due to movement restrictions as part of the government’s battle against the spread of Covid-19.
He asked the public not to discriminate them and clarified that they have been subjected to rapid antibody tests and strict health procedures before entry.
Executive Order (EO) 114 institutionalized the “Balik Probinsya” program, which aims to ensure balanced regional development and equitable distribution of wealth, resources, and opportunities through policies and programs that boost countryside development and inclusive growth.
It also targets to provide adequate social services, promote full employment, industrialization, and improved quality of life in rural areas.
The beneficiaries will be given training and technical support from various agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
EO 114 was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte after the Senate adopted Senator Christopher Lawrence Go’s Resolution 380, urging the executive department to formulate and implement the “Balik Probinsya” program. (PNA)
