Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go appealed to the national government to prepare ‘balik probinsiya’ programs by providing incentives and livelihood opportunities to Filipinos who wish to relocate to the provinces after the state of public health emergency and the Enhanced Community Quarantine measures are lifted.
“Let us prepare for a ‘new normal’ and one of the most important measures is the relocation of people to the provinces,” he said.
He said that efforts to decongest Metro Manila have become relevant now more than ever as the country struggles to contain the further spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Hs pointed out that the high density of communities in Metro Manila amplifies the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and also slows down the efficiency of the government to provide assistance to all affected constituents. Macon Ramos-Araneta
Aside from responding to the immediate needs of the people, such as health care and social assistance at this time of crisis, he said the government must also put importance on long-term solutions to current problems that have adversely affected the country’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 health crisis.
The senator specifically pointed out that the lack of urban planning and rural development has in some way contributed to the spread of the virus in congested areas and has also affected the distribution of resources in different parts of the country.
He said that when the Enhanced Community Quarantine can already be lifted, the government should be ready to move Filipino families out of Metro Manila by providing them the means and incentives to finally move back to the provinces.