stare decisis
By ATTY. JULIUS DELGADO
The raging political and legal debate is focused on the shutdown of ABS-CBN, the oldest and
largest media network in the country, after the National Telecommunications Commission issued a
Cease and Desist Order upon the lapse of the network’s legislative franchise. I am not going to join into
the fray and would rather discuss a very timely and important issuance by the Office of the President.
Last 06 May 2020, the President issued Executive Order No. 114, Series of 2020, “Institutionalizing a the
Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program as a Pillar of Balanced Regional Development, Creating a
Council Therefor, and For Other Purposes”. Also called as the BP2 Program, this is a reverse migration
effort by the National Government by encouraging the bulk of the population in the National Capital
Region (NCR) and the Greater Manila Area to return to their regions/provinces.
Under BP2 Program, the State wishes 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 improved quality of life in rural areas.” The BP2 Program Framework
is divided into four (4) key areas: a) Empowerment of Local Industries; b) Food Security and Agricultural
Productivity; c) Social Welfare, Health and Employment; and d) Development of Infrastructure.
With regard to empowering local industries, the Program aims to support micro, small and
medium enterprises (MSMEs) by providing them fiscal incentives, developing forward and backward
linkages and export-and-domestic-enterprises, access to markets and a fully integrated value chain and
encourage transfer of medium and large businesses to provincial economic hubs. As to the second key
area, the thrust of the Program would be to encourage and facilitate innovations and technologies for
agricultural production and infrastructure and financial support to local agricultural industries.
With regard to the third key area which is Social Welfare, Health and Employment, the Program
targets the upgrading of local health facilities and increasing their capacity since there will be influx of
returning OFWs and workers from the NCR and Greater Manila Area back to the regions/provinces.
Under this key area, educational institutions and technical and vocational schools shall be built in
strategic rural areas and idle lands shall be converted into science or technology parks. There will also be
support program and assistance packages, including resettlement to provincial township sites and
community interventions or projects based on area/resettlement site. Finally, regarding infrastructure,
the Government aims to build transport and communication, power resources, irrigation systems,
transport terminal and public markets. The construction of railways shall also be hastened up in
different parts of the country.
There are three (3) phases or progress points for the BP2 Program. First, the “short-term”
milestones which include the rechanneling of programs, activities, and projects (PAPs) with available
funds and appropriations to encourage and bring OFWs and workers and their families back to their
regions/provinces. Second, the “medium-term” milestones which include the following: a) identification
of special economic zones and MSME-oriented industries to prioritize; b) livelihood and employment
opportunities suitable to rural development; c) strengthening and prioritizing National Spatial Strategy
integrated in the Philippine Development Plan and spearheaded by the NEDA; d) integration of
institutional assistance, such as progression of formal education, improved healthcare services and
medical facilities; e) maintenance and promotion of peace, order, and security; and f) establishment of
new special economic zones in Visayas and Mindanao, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous
Region.Third, for “long-term” milestones, the Program aims to jumpstart PAPs which require longer
timeline including the following: a) proposed decentralization of powers and seat of governance; b)
priority legislation on rationalized and results-based tax incentives for agricultural or tourism industries
and the National Land Use Act; and c) the creation of new urban centers outside the NCR and existing
major urban areas.