Statement of the MinDA Chairman COVID 19 POSITIVE STUDENTS NOT PART OF “BALIK” PROGRAM

The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), a member of the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program (BPBPP) and the coordinating agency for its implementation in Mindanao, wishes to clarify that the Maguindanao students who recently returned home and who tested positive for COVID 19 were not part of the “Balik Probinsya” Program.

The fact is not a single family has yet moved out of Metro Manila and returned to their provinces under the “Balik Probinsya Program” in Mindanao.

As of today, we are still on the ground preparation for the implementation of the program in Mindanao and we are closely coordinating with the Local Government Units to address their concerns.

I am now in Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte conducting consultations with the local officials because it is one of the three towns selected as pilot resettlement areas in mindanao.

Among the very important issues raised by the LGUs which we very well understand is the conduct of stringent medical testing and social preparation protocols before the families could return home.

As head of the Balik Probinsya implementing agency in Mindanao, I wish to assure our local leaders and our people that while we wish to immediately undertake the program, we will not compromise the health and welfare of the local people.

We will exhaust consultative processes and go through stringent and rigorous social preparations and health protocols before implementing the program.

Thank you.

Sec. Emmanuel F. Piñol, PhD

Chairman

Mindanao Development Authority