CEBU CITY, Oct. 26 (PIA) -- Government agencies and representatives from the four Central Visayas provinces are taking initial steps to prepare stakeholders for the implementation of the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Program in the region.
On Oct. 8, 2020, the Regional Development Council (RDC-7) convened the Special BP2 Committee and passed resolutions that will guide the committee in the smooth implementation of the BP2 Program.
These include the approval of the BP2 Regional Action Plan, which was crafted based on the BP2 implementing rules and regulation (IRR); and the designation of the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-7) as the communication and information advocacy arm of the BP2.
The BP2 will facilitate the movement of people out of the capital or other highly urbanized cities, and their return or relocation to rural provinces.
It shall ensure there is balanced regional development and equitable distribution of wealth, resources, and opportunities to support these people.
The meeting, held via Zoom, was presided by Sec. Michael Lloyd Dino of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, who is the Special BP2 Committee chairperson.
Dino said that starting work on implementing BP2 in the region is a fresh start after several months of lockdown that have resulted in joblessness and homelessness for thousands of Filipinos.
“The cooperation of everyone is instrumental in the implementation of the program because the success of BP2 hinges on the development of the countryside. The real challenge is whether we can sustain this,” Dino said.
RDC-7 Chairperson Kenneth Cobonpue assured Dino that he will ensure that the four RDC sectoral committees will interphase with the BP2 Committee on matters pertaining to BP2.
Resolutions
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-7) Regional Director Efren Carreon briefed the members on the BP2 and gave related updates on work done thus far, including discussions at the RDC-7 Economic Development Committee (EDC) and with the LGUs.
On the latter, he presented the use of a scalogram as an approach to determine and assess potential sub-provincial growth areas that could become BP2 pilot areas in the region.
RDC7-EDC chairperson Virgilio Espeleta shared the EDC framework plan for food sufficiency and sustainable livelihood in the countryside, and the needed involvement of business and government agencies.
NEDA-7, as BP2 secretariat, presented the proposed BP2 Regional Action Plan and arrangements made with AGIO-7 to serve as communication and advocacy arm of BP2.
The BP2 Special Committee adopted the presentations, approving them as a guide to the committee in the conduct of its activities. (hfg/PIA7/ with reports from NEDA-7)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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