1.5M ecozone jobs open for Balik Probinsya program — Escalada
JOB opportunities are available within special economic zones around the country for those who will enroll in the government’s Balik Probinsya program, which encourages people in Metro Manila and other urban areas to move back or relocate to the provinces. “I already plotted in our Philippine map what are the 400 economic zones in the country today. From shipbuilding, construction, manufacturing, semiconductor and all others. These are all spread all over the country,” National Housing Authority (NHA) General Manager Marcelino P. Escalada, Jr. said in an interview over radio DZBB on Wednesday. “Right now, the 400 locators all over the country can employ 1.5 million. These are opportunities in the countryside,” he added. The NHA will be offering available housing units under the program. Mr. Escalada also said beneficiaries of the Balik Probinsya program will be issued identification cards to facilitate their relocation and put them in a priority list of government agencies. “Once they are enrolled na sa (in) Balik Probinsya, we will be issuing IDs, coordinated with DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), with DoLE (Department of Labor and Employment). Once you present that you’re a Balik Probinsya (beneficiary), priority ka ng mga projects ng DPWH, ng mga facilitation ng Department of Labor,” he said. President Rodrigo R. Duterte institutionalized the program by signing an executive order that created the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Council, chaired by Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea. — Genshen L. Espedido
Palace to issue memo for 2nd tranche of COVID-19 cash aid program
THE Palace on Wednesday said a memorandum will be issued this week for the second tranche of the social amelioration program (SAP), the government’s cash aid distribution for low-income households amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis. “Lalabas ang memo itong linggo na ‘to (The memo will be released this week),” Palace Spokesperson Harry L. Roque said in a briefing. Earlier this week, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Bautista said they are waiting for the Palace to issue an order on the SAP second tranche before proceeding to finalize guidelines for its distribution, which is handled by local governments units (LGUs). The two-month subsidy that started in April aims to help 18 million families affected by the lockdown measures implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19. Problems arose in the distribution as LGUs faced logistical problems as well as disputes over the list of beneficiaries, prompting DSWD to extend its deadline for the third time on May 13. The first deadline was April 30 while the second was May 7. As of May 11, 16.3 million beneficiaries have received their subsidy. There have also been allegations of corruption over the SAP distribution. The Interior and Local Government chief has ordered the police to investigate and arrest local officials for anomalies relating to the cash subsidy. — Gillian M. Cortez
