It is amazing how the “Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa” program of Senator Christopher Lawrence Go which aims to decongest Metro Manila and refocus development on the countryside is earning plaudits and giving birth to new ideas on rural development.
Shortly after I returned from a long trip to the nation’s capital to finalize the plan to implement three model resettlements in two Mindanao provinces, at least two Filipino expatriates have suggested that the “Balik Probinsya” program be expanded to involve Filipinos who would like to come home and invest in agriculture and fisheries.
Abe Pagtama, a Fil-Am sitcom actor based in California who is originally from Kidapawan City, North Cotabato, suggested that Fil-Ams be given an opportunity too to be included in the program to encourage investments in the countryside.
Another Filipino expat, Andres de Leon Jr., who is based in the Middle East but originally from Gen. Santos City, said there is a group of Filipino OFWs who would like to invest in a Dates plantation in Mindanao.
Initially, we will call this proposed program as “Balik Pilipinas” and we will propose to the BPBPP Council that this be adopted as part of the Balik Probinsya Program.
These are exciting developments as these are considered indicators of the confidence of Filipino expatriates to come home and invest in their own country.
While the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), a small agency with just over 100 workers, has its hands full on several programs, most recently the “Balik Probinsya,” proposals such as those submitted by Pagtama and De Leon cannot be ignored.
MinDA will be coordinating with other agencies so that Filipino expatriates who would like to come home and invest are assisted.
This would be a big boost to the economic recovery efforts of government after the COVID 19 Pandemic.
(Photos of Abe Pagtama and Jun de Leon were downloaded from their Facebook pages while photo of Dates farms were downloaded from public websites.)
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