TACLOBAN CITY, Sept. 4 (PIA) -- DSHUD Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario called on the member of the newly-organized Eastern Visayas Balik Probinsiya Bagong Pag-Asa Committee he chairs, ”to work twice as hard” in order to deliver what the program promised to the Filipino people.
Speaking to the members during the Virtual organizational meeting of the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council BP2 Special Committee on September 4, Del Rosario who is also the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for Eastern Visayas and the Chairperson of the Regional Task Force 8 to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, at the outset, assured the members that the efforts they put into this work are “aptly placed as this will be the focal point for the development of the Region in the coming years.”
To put in proper perspective the value of BP2 and the significance of the Region in the life of the nation as a whole, Del Rosario said that as part of the eastern nautical highway, the region is the “bridge” that connects the islands of Mindanao and Luzon where most of economic progress are happening. This “bridge” must be exceptionally strong to withstand adverse conditions and sustain the flow of goods and services between north and south, Del Rosario said.
“Instead of the people in the Region just watching opportunities pass by, this time BP2 will open up opportunities here to strengthen the foundation and structure of the region as a “bridge” that connects the whole nation,” Secretary Del Rosario underscored.
He allayed the fears and hesitations on the program especially its timing amid the COVID-19 pandemic and ask them to instead remember that at the core of this program is a noble intention to spark change and development in the far-flung depressed areas. It aims to provide hope to people and communities that wish to see long-awaited redress to problems such as unemployment, lack of opportunities, and inadequate social services, he added.
BP2 is a program that yearns to divert the development focus of the national government from the already-established urban centers in Manila, Cebu, and Davao and bring it to other provinces.
The program aims not only to decongest Metro Manila and other highly urbanized cities but more importantly, to promote balanced growth and equitable distribution of wealth in the country.
Consequently, the BP2 program will spur inclusive growth and sustainable development in the Eastern Visayas Region, through investing in people, empowering local industries and businesses, and generating jobs.
“That is the real significance of this committee,” Del Rosario stressed, “ and the value of our role of facilitating the implementation of the initiative in the region. As such, its success or failure in Eastern Visayas rests in our hands.”
The BP2 program presents a great opportunity for a renewed focus by the national government to initiate growth in the regions especially in the laggard provinces of the country.
Secretary Del Rosario called on the Committee members to “take advantage of this remarkable chance to shape the lives of our people for the better. So I urge you, ladies and gentlemen, to not let this opportunity slip by our fingers. We all want to make this proud Region richer, and its people healthy and resilient. What better time than now.”
The virtual meeting which was hosted by NEDA-8 was participated in by RDC 8 Chair Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla, the RDC Executive Committee, provincial governors, city mayors, LMP provincial presidents, heads of member NGAs, and Private Sector Representatives. (PIA-8)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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