As he assists BP2 beneficiaries in Davao City

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go remains committed to promoting more programs and measures to boost economic opportunities and rural development in the country as he sent assistance to Davaoeños who availed of the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) program.

Go’s team mounted the relief activity on Wednesday, June 13, at Apo View Hotel where they handed out masks, snacks, shirts and vitamins to 67 families who were beneficiaries of the BP2 program. Several of them also received bicycles, phablets and shoes from the senator.

Meanwhile, personnel from Department of Social Welfare and Development likewise distributed cash assistance for the beneficiaries.

“Nais ko po kayong batiin at pasalamatan sa inyong kooperasyon at suporta sa Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa program na inumpisahan natin noong panahon ni dating pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte.” Go expressed in his video message.

“Layunin ng programang ito na magbigay ng bagong pag-asa hindi lamang sa mga kababayan nating naapektuhan ng pandemya, kundi iyong mga nais ding mag-umpisang muli sa kanilang mga probinsya,” he explained.

Proposed by Go, the BP2 program is a long-term plan of the government to decongest Metro Manila and boost countryside development. In May 2020, Duterte signed Executive Order No. 114 which institutionalizes the program as a “pillar of balanced regional development”.

The EO came after Go authored Senate Resolution No. 380 which was adopted by the Senate during the 18th Congress, urging the Executive Department to formulate and implement the BP2 program.

Under the program, it shall extend necessary support to the Filipino people who wish to avail the program by promoting employment and focusing on key areas, including empowerment of local industries, food security and infrastructure development in rural areas.

“Nakita po natin kung papaano pinadapa ng COVID-19 ang maraming ekonomiya sa mundo. Sa Pilipinas, marami sa ating mga kababayan ang nawalan ng hanapbuhay dahil sa pandemya, kabilang marahil ang ilan sa inyo sa mga ito,” the senator cited.

“Sa tulong ng BP2 program, hangad po namin na mabigyan kayong muli ng pagkakataong makabangon muli habang unti-unti ring bumabangon ang ating ekonomiya. Layunin din naming dalhin sa iba’t ibang parte ng bansa ang kaunlaran upang hindi lamang ito naka-sentro sa Metro Manila at hindi na tayo magsiksikan doon,” he added.

The senator then expressed his confidence that the BP2 program will significantly improve the lives of its beneficiaries through the support provided by partnered agencies, including the National Housing Authority, Department of Transportation, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Thousands of families have already benefited from the said program, of which hundreds were provided with livelihood assistance grants and other incentives.

Ending his message, Go appealed to the beneficiaries to use the assistance they have received wisely, saying, “Sana po ay pagyamanin ninyo ang tulong at suporta na ibinigay ng gobyerno sa inyo sa ilalim ng programang ito dahil pamana po ito sa inyo ng nakaraang administrasyong Duterte.”

“Bilang inyong senador, makaaasa rin po kayo na tuluy-tuloy ang aking suporta at serbisyo sa lahat ng mga Pilipino upang patuloy na makapagbigay ang bagong gobyerno ng komportableng buhay para sa lahat,” he concluded.