Senator Christopher “Bong” Go
MANILA – Senator Christopher “Bong” Go commended the “Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa” (BP2) Council member-agencies for their continued commitment to providing economic opportunities and a ‘renewed hope’ of a better life for Filipinos who choose to return to the provinces.
During a virtual awarding, which was held simultaneously in the different municipalities in Leyte province on September 29, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), together with BP2 partner agencies, extended livelihood assistance to the families and individuals who qualified for the first roll-out of the BP2 program last May 20, 2020.
In a video message, Go re-affirmed the government’s commitment to ensure the quality of life of the beneficiaries of the BP2 program.
“Hindi po kayo pababayaan ng gobyernong ito. Sisiguraduhin namin na mabibigyan kayo ng bagong pag-asa ng mas magandang kinabukasan kung pipiliin ninyong bumalik sa probinsya at magsimula muli doon,” he said.
(The government will not neglect you. We will make sure that you will be given new hope for a brighter future if you choose to return to your province and start anew.)
Go pledged to see to it that the beneficiary-families under the program receive the appropriate assistance they required, and emphasized the need for a holistic approach to ensure the successful implementation of BP2.
“‘Ika nga ng ating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte (Like what President Rodrigo Duterte said) ‘if we give them hope, there is a promise for a better future’,” Go said.
A total of 33 beneficiaries were provided with livelihood starter kits through the DOLE’s Kabuhayan program so they may start in rice vending in their respective areas.
“Sa pamamagitan ng BP2, babalansehin natin ang pag-unlad at paramihin pa ang mga oportunidad sa mga rehiyon,” Go said.
(With the BP2, we will balance the development and generate more opportunities in the regions.)
He said various partner government agencies under the BP2 like the Department of Trade and Industry, National Housing Authority, Department of Social Welfare and Development, among others, would assist the beneficiaries of the program.
To date, the National Housing Authority, in partnership with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, is developing a plan to build low-cost houses for qualified beneficiaries. The Department of Agrarian Reform is also preparing public lands nationwide that can be used for land distribution or housing projects.
Meanwhile, beneficiaries wishing to explore livelihood opportunities in agriculture may also receive aid from the Department of Agriculture, subject to assessment and qualification.
“Sisiguraduhin namin na may kakayahan kayong magsimula at mag-palago ng kabuhayan nyo sa probinsya. Sana sa pamamagitan ng programang ito at iba pang mga ayuda, makapagsimula po kayong muli at matutupad na ang inyong pangarap sa buhay,” said Go.
(We will make sure that you will have the capacity to start and build up your livelihood in the province. We hope that with this program and other government aid, you can start anew and attain your goals in life.)
The senator also acknowledged the province of Leyte for taking on the challenge of participating in the pilot roll-out of the BP2 program.
The BP2 program, of which Go is the main proponent, is a long-term plan by the government to decongest Metro Manila and solve perennial problems in urban areas. It shall pave the way for the development of the provinces by encouraging Filipinos to return to their hometowns and boost economic opportunities and investments in the countryside.
Last May 6, President Duterte signed Executive Order No. 114 which institutionalized the said program. While currently suspended to make way for the Hatid Tulong initiative, the BP2 program continues to receive applications while preparing for the eventual full implementation after the COVID-19 crisis.
There are now 100,319 applicants, including 45,639 families and 2,530 stranded overseas Filipino workers, as of September 29.
Meanwhile, Go reiterated that all concerned government agencies should be hands-on to ensure the success of BP2 in developing local economies and improving the quality of life in all regions.
“The BP2 program is close to my heart. As a probinsyano, I want this program to succeed,” Go said, adding that the program's long-term objective is to boost investments, infrastructure, agriculture, business, transportation, and access to health care for all Filipinos especially outside urban areas.
Go also acknowledged the efforts of his fellow legislators in helping the government achieve the objectives of BP2. He particularly expressed his support for the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) bill currently being tackled in the Senate plenary.
“I thank Senator Pia Cayetano for also being an advocate of the program by actively pushing for the CREATE bill to provide incentives to businesses that wish to invest in provinces and provide economic opportunities outside metropolitan areas,” Go said.
The proposed CREATE bill, sponsored by Cayetano, seeks to rationalize the country's fiscal incentives system by encouraging businesses to invest in the Philippines, while the country gets the most value out of the incentives granted. (PR)
