Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte – While other local government units take a “wait-and-see” posture on the “Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program,” Kalawit Mayor Salvador Antojado Jr. is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the first 200 families who will resettle in his town.
“We welcome the entry of returning fellow Zamboangaueños to Kalawit,” Mayor Antojado declared when he met with me in Dipolog City on Wednesday.
The “Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program” (BPBPP) which is pushed by Senator Christopher Lawrence Go and supported by President Rody Duterte aims to decongest the urban centers by convincing informal city dwellers to go home to their provinces.
Under the BPBPP program, 22 departments and agencies of government will all contribute to ensure the sustainability of the “Balik Probinsya” program by providing support services and livelihood opportunities.
Kalawit, the newest town of Zamboanga del Norte is a 4th Class Municipality with a population of only 23,000 in a land area of 22,000 hectares.
While other LGUs have reservations on allowing returning urban dwellers to resettle in their area, Mayor Antojado says the arrival of the “Balik Probinsya” participants could result in the development of his town.
He said that he expects new roads to be constructed, additional school buildings, communications facilities, health centers and other vital government support services.
Antojado, a former Marines officer who saw action in many conflicts in Mindanao, said his town still has vast areas which could be developed.
Right after his assumption to office as Mayor, the battle-hardened former Marines officer cleared the town of Communist insurgents thus opening vast agricultural areas.
He said that alongside the development of his town’s agricultural potentials, he also sees the transformation of the sleepy town into a farm tourism destination because of its natural beauty.
“We welcome all of them to Kalawit and I hope they come soon,” he said.
Kalawit is one of the two towns of Zamboanga del Norte identified as destinations for returning urban informal dwellers who originally came from the province.
The other is Sergio Osmeña town in the Eastern part of the elongated province which stretches from Misamis Occidental to Zamboanga City.
Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Roberto Uy said the province is ready to launch the program as soon as the list of the returning families are submitted and vetted by the LGU.
(Photos were all downloaded from public websites.)
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