MANILA – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday welcomed the institutionalization of “Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pag-asa” (BP2) program to promote robust development in the countryside.

The national program will also help decongest and address issues such as worsening traffic in Metro Manila, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement.

“It has been a fact that development is lopsided in favor of Metro Manila. Panahon na para ikalat ang kaunlaran sa ibat ibang rehiyon ng ating bansa (It’s time to spur growth in other regions),” he said.

The “Balik Probinsya” program, Año said, would also allow the government to better prepare for future crises.

“What we learn from the COVID-19 pandemic is over population in highly urbanized cities will not play to our advantage but on the contrary, may lead to more cases of coronavirus transmission," he said.

The DILG chief urged local government units (LGUs) to be involved in the formulation of policies of the “Balik Probinsya” program.

“…We urge them to be partners as well in ensuring that this program will succeed. Suportahan natin ito sapagkat para po ito sa ating mga kababayan (We should support this [program] because this is for the sake of everyone),” he said.

• Duterte adopts Bong Go's 'Balik Probinsya' program

The BP2 program will focus on developing infrastructure, social welfare and health services, agriculture, and local industries in the different regions of the country.

“Balik Probinsya” is divided into short-term, medium-term, and long-term projects with short-term activities ready to be implemented during the community quarantine period.

Funding requirements for existing or short-term projects shall be identified by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) or sourced from existing appropriations.

Funding for projects in the succeeding years will meanwhile be included in the respective budgets of government agencies, the order stated.

President Rodrigo Duterte on May 6 signed Executive Order 114 institutionalizing “Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pag-asa” (BP2) program 2 weeks after Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go proposed it.