NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the province is not yet ready for the “Balik Probinsya Program” which is being initiated by the national government.
Lacson said the provincial government needs at least two years of preparation, as they would need to establish more jobs for Negrenses from the National Capital Region (NCR) who will be repatriated back to the province as part of the program.
He pointed out that more jobs should be made in the province which would be made available for returning Negrenses, aside from the agricultural and business process outsourcing sector.
Under Executive Order No. 114, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, the program aims to ensure balanced regional development and equitable distribution of wealth, resources and opportunities through policies and programs that boost countryside development and inclusive growth; provide adequate social services; and promote full employment, industrialization and an improved quality of life in rural areas.
The program is also part of the ongoing efforts by the government to stop the coronavirus pandemic.