{"id":253437,"date":"2020-04-29T02:12:12","date_gmt":"2020-04-29T06:12:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=253437"},"modified":"2020-04-29T02:12:12","modified_gmt":"2020-04-29T06:12:12","slug":"palace-says-balik-probinsya-top-priority-of-govt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2020\/04\/29\/palace-says-balik-probinsya-top-priority-of-govt\/","title":{"rendered":"Palace says \u2018Balik Probinsya\u2019 top priority of gov\u2019t"},"content":{"rendered":"
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FILE: DLTBCo. buses at the Legazpi Grand Central Terminal, Legaspi City. (File Photo<\/a>: Josh Hernandez\/Flickr<\/a>, CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

MANILA<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 The proposal to grant incentives and livelihood assistance to Filipinos who want to return to their respective provinces after the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic is the \u2018top priority\u201d of the government, Malaca\u00f1ang said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel said the \u201cBalik Probinsya\u201d proposal of Senator Christopher Lawrence Go is now under discussion.<\/p>\n

Roque said the government is finding ways and means to assist those who wish to return to their respective provinces subject to the quarantine requirements.<\/p>\n

Quarantine measures are currently in place to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country.<\/p>\n

Under the proposed Balik Probinsya program introduced by Go, Metro Manila residents who want to be relocated to their respective provinces after the Covid-19 outbreak will be provided free transportation and livelihood assistance.<\/p>\n

The proposed relocation would begin once Covid-19 pandemic is over.<\/p>\n

Roque said the government is looking for best ways, including long-term solutions, to address the challenges that Filipinos are facing amid the health crisis.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut the long-term program will be threshed out. But that has now become a top priority. Huwag po kayong mag-alala (Do not worry). It\u2019s forthcoming,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Go earlier said the Balik Probinsya program is a long-term plan that intends to help the public adapt to the \u201cnew normal\u201d after the Covid-19 crisis.<\/p>\n

Go said his proposal would address overpopulation, traffic congestion and pollution in Metro Manila.<\/p>\n

He added that the government would also be able to prepare for future possible disease outbreaks, other crises and natural disasters once the relocation program is implemented.<\/p>\n

In a televised public address on April 23, President Rodrigo Duterte said the Balik Probinsya program is a \u201cgood\u201d proposal because it would give \u201chope\u201d to Filipinos who are in Metro Manila but want to be relocated.<\/p>\n

The 2015 census revealed that Metro Manila is home to 12.87 million Filipinos.<\/p>\n

Around 5,446 Covid-19 infections have so far been recorded in Metro Manila, according to the data uploaded by the Department of Health on its official website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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