RURAL DEVELOPMENT RESPONSES TO

COVID19:
BALIK PROBINSIYA, BAGONG PAG-ASA
(BP2) PROGRAM
In Partial Fullfillment to the Requirements of RD 308

November 21, 2020

Nathaniel Vincent A. Lubrica

Objectives of the Presentation
a. State the rationale of establishing EO 114;
b. Discuss the features of the BP2 Program;
c. State the advantages of the BP2 Program;
d. State the disadvantages of the BP2 Program;
e. Discuss the possible impact of the BP2 Program to rural
development; and
f. Evaluate the BP2 Program vis a vis rural development models and
approaches.
Report Outline
I. Rationale
II. Program Description
III. Advantages
IV. Disadvantages
V. Conclusion
VI. Recommendation
VII. References
Rationale
• High COVID-19 infection rate in urban areas
• Perrineal population problems in megacities and HUCs
• Constituional provisions for rural development: poverty reduction,
social justice and equity, and ecological balance
• PDRDP (2017-2022)
• Ambisyon Natin 2040
• RA 11469
• Rural areas both help and is affected by the pandemic
Opportunities for rural development (OECD, 2020)
Program Description
• Decongestion of NCR
• Informal settlers as special targets
• Immediate Response strategies
• The Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pagasa Council
• Key Areas: Empowerment of Local Industries, Food Security and Agricultural
Productivity, Social Welfare, Health, and Employment, and Development of
Infrastructure
• Towards a Law
• Inter-agency Coordination
• Setting Up Model “Balik” Villages
• BP2 Website: balikprobinsiya.ph
BP2 Council Members
Advantages
• Warm Reception among
Beneficiaries: Decongesting NCR
• Warm Reception Among LGUs
• Program Statistics
• Proof of Beneficiaries
• Regional Disparity on Wages can
be Addressed
• Local Benefits can be Realized
• Consultations for Feedback
Disadvantages
• Resources needed at a fast pace
• More supporting policies
needed
• Impacts need to be proven
• Healthcare and Economic
Problems in rural areas
• Exacerbation of Healthcare and
Economic Problems in Rural
Areas
• Long Term Preparations is
Needed
Impact to Rural Development
• The BP2 program has four key results areas to ensure inclusive and
balanced urban and rural development, and the creation of resilient
and sustainable communities:
(1) the empowerment of local industries;
(2) food security and agricultural productivity;
(3) housing, social welfare, health, employment and human resource
development; and
(4) infrastructure development.
Conclusion
• Opportunities such as the BP2 came to fore during the pandemic.
Similar approaches in the past mostly failed because of the lack of the
appreciation on rural development as well as the recognition on the
disadvantages of centralized urban growth.
• The constitution as well as Philippine development strategies and
policies recognize the importance of rural development which paved
way to the justification of BP2 program through EO 114.
Conclusion
• The start of the implementation of the project shows a positive
response from multiple council members, local government units as
well as the target beneficiaries. The online registration as well as the
strategic communication plan proved to be effective reaching out to
the target beneficiaries.
• It was observed that resettlement areas as well as partnership with
rural industries are preliminarily established. With the latest
registrants reaching 100,319, statistics can provide trends on the
demographics and target destination.
• It was found that the program can provide solution to other problems
such as regional wage disparities and insurgencies. Furthermore, the
program include consultations as a feedback mechanism.
Conclusion
• Despite of the advantages of a program, there will always be disadvantages.
The rapid action needed for the program implementation posed a big
challenge in government systems as well as the readiness of the host local
government units.
• BP2 requires other supporting policies linked to recovery and tax incentives
since the program emanated from the emergency powers of the President in
the re-allocation of funds to the program.
• A big disadvantage like any other program is its impact which halted
nationwide institutionalization. Other issues identified were the program’s
healthcare and economic effect.
• However, Agnoetti et al. (2020) confirms the positive effect of rural
development by decreasing exposure to COVID-19 along with low energy
inputs to the environment.
Conclusion
• All in all, the program shows good reception from both actors and
stakeholders. Though there were several disadvantages, I feel that
the program can address the issues during the process with sound
coordination and in-built feedback mechanisms. Nevertheless, the
program is continuously implemented.
Recommendations
• Though consultations were conducted, accessible sources does not
clearly illustrate the involvement and inputs of stakeholders. Aside
from stakeholder inputs, the host communities should be involved in
the program. The readiness of the host municpality/community must
also be taken into consideration.
• Only few members of the council were actively engaging and
formulating short term, medium term, and long term programs
aligned to BP2. Anent to these, another major consideration would
be blending or complementing the BP2 to existing line agency, local
government unit, and community plans, programs, and activities.
Recommendations
• In the US through USDA and Europe through the European
Commission, COVID19 responses focus on loans and programs for
agriculture, and rural businesses. Thus, an office that focuses on rural
development must be established to ensure the sustainability of BP2.
• The Kerlala model can be considered in preparing the host
communities as well as the integration of the new resettlement areas.
• Program impact research framework needs to be formulated and
conducted
Benchmark on
OECD Country
Best Practices
References
• Agnoletti, M., Manganelli, S., Piras, F., 2020. Covid-19 and rural landscape. Landscape
and Urban Planning 204 (2020) 103995
• Chatukulam, J., Tharamangalam, J., 2021. The Kerala model in the time of COVID19:
Rethinking state, society, and democracy. World Development 137 (202.1) 105207.
• Forbes, March 17, 2020. How the Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic is Impacting Rural
America. Retrieved from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/claryestes/2020/03/17/coronavirus-and-rural-
america/?sh=770c45cae108
• GMA News Online, November 17, 2020. NEDA suggests to defer institutionalization of
Balik Probinsya program. Retrieved from
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/764453/neda-suggests-to-defer-
institutionalization-of-balik-probinsya-program/story/
References
• GMA News Online, May 13, 2020. Balik Probinsya program got nearly 10k applicants in 5 days –NHA exec.
Retrieved from https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/738034/balik-probinsya-program-got-nearly-
10k-applicants-in-5-days-nha-exec/story/
• Inquirer, May 26, 2020. Wage is key issue in ‘Balik Probinsya’. Retrieved from
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1280722/wage-is-key-issue-in-balik-probinsya
• Inquirer, May 28, 2020. ‘Balik Probinsya’ program to generate more problems in rural areas — Gabriela. Retrieved
from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1282627/balik-probinsya-program-to-generate-more-problems-in-rural-areas-
gabriela
• McKenzie, G. and Adams, B., 2020. A country comparison of place-based activity response to COVID-19 policies.
Applied Geography 125 (2020) 102363.
• Mindanao Daily, October 12, 2020. Balik Probinsya Program preparations continue as Bong Go pushes for holistic
approach in boosting economic opportunities in the provinces. Retrieved from
https://www.mindanaodailynews.com/news/nation/trending-news/balik-probinsya-program-preparations-
continue-as-bong-go-pushes-for-holistic-approach-in-boosting-economic-opportunities-in-the-provinces
• OECD, June 16, 2020. Policy Implications of Coronavirus Crisis for Rural Development. Retrieved from
http://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/policy-responses/policy-implications-of-coronavirus-crisis-for-rural-
development-6b9d189a/
References
• Philippine News Agency, May 31, 2020. MinDA completes ‘Balik Probinsya’ consultations. Retrieved from
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104466
• Philippine News Agency, May 29, 2020. 'Balik Probinsya' to help address insurgency: Or. Mindoro mayor.
Retrieved from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104193
• Philippine News Agency, June 1, 2020. Lanao Norte guv mulls BPO village as ‘Balik’ model. Retrieved from
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104577
• Philippine News Agency, June 10, 2020. 85K enroll for Balik Probinsya; gov't cites LGUs' preparedness. Retrieved
from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1105434
• Philippine News Agency, June 18, 2020. Go cites BP2 'template communities' in Mindanao. Retrieved from
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1106369
• Philippine News Agency, June 24, 2020. Model 'Balik' hub ground breaks in Lanao Norte town. Retrieved from
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1106897
• Philppine News Agency, October 1, 2020. Go lauds holistic approach of BP2 program. Retrieved from
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1117190
• Philippine News Agency, August 20, 2020. Zambo Norte town readies 'Balik Probinsya' plantation area. Retrieved
from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1112848
• Tribune, November 11, 2020. DENR Bataan allots land for ‘Balik Probinsiya’ program. Retrieved from
https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2020/11/11/denr-bataan-allots-land-for-balik-probinsiya-program/