Economists in the Cordillera on Wednesday recommended developing more economic zones in the provinces to employ residents who have returned from Metro Manila under the government’s “Balik Probinsya” program.
The recommendation was part of a stimulus plan for Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Abra, Apayao and Kalinga that was presented to the Cordillera Inter-Agency Task Force and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
The Baguio City Economic Zone, the only economic zone in the region, remains operational during the Luzon lockdown.
In Leyte province, Gov. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla wanted the national government to intensify its “Build, Build, Build” program so it could generate more jobs especially for construction workers.
Leyte was among the provinces to first implement the Balik Probinsya program.
Metro Manila workers, who come from the provinces, were encouraged to avail themselves of the program to decongest the National Capital Region, one of the hardest hit by the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
RETURNING TO PROVINCE Around 300 people from Sorsogon, who were stranded in National Capital Region amid modified enhanced community quarantine imposed to contain coronavirus disease pandemic, avail the free trip in Baclaran Church to return to their home province with assistance of local government of Sorsogon in coordination with the Office of the Vice President and National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. —RICHARD A. REYES
Leyte returnees
At least 100 workers in Metro Manila have already opted to return to Leyte.
“I am happy that finally, they have returned to their respective hometowns and to their families. [And] I think, they are better off here (Leyte) than in Metro Manila where they did not receive any food assistance and cash aid under the SAP (Social Amelioration Program),” Petilla said.
The Leyteños who returned home were placed in isolation facilities in their areas for 14-day quarantine as part of the health protocol.
Petilla appealed to the national government and agencies to help Leyte and other provinces come up with projects to generate more jobs.
In Davao del Sur province, at least two mayors said they would support the program despite their unease over the possible spread of COVID-19 due to the return of overseas workers and residents from Metro Manila and other urban areas.
Magsaysay Mayor Arthur Davin said welcoming constituents back would pose some risks amid the pandemic but he said he could not stop his constituents from returning home.
Shared responsibility
“It is a shared responsibility between the local and national governments,” he said.
The town put up a quarantine site along its border with Bansalan town to house returning residents as they undergo the mandatory 14-day isolation.
Davin admitted, though, that the local government had yet to come up with livelihood programs for returning constituents under the Balik Probinsya program.
Matanao Mayor Vincent Fernandez said his town did not have the capacity to conduct testing, so he expressed reservations about the proposal.
“We are still on the stage of rebuilding our town after the series of earthquakes last year. Until now, we are extending help to the evacuees as well as the cash aid for those whose houses were damaged,” he said.
Earlier, Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco said the national government should “institutionalize” the Balik Probinsya program by passing a law, featuring an economic package, to entice people already living in Metro Manila to return to their home provinces. —REPORTS FROM VINCENT CABREZA, JOEY GABIETA AND ORLANDO DINOY