The Regional Development Council (RDC) VIII – Special Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Committee approved the Eastern Visayas BP2 Action Plan during its 1st Semester 2021 meeting on 11 February 2021 through Zoom.

The Action Plan will serve as the framework for the implementation of the program in Eastern Visayas. It contains around PhP61.147 billion-worth of priority programs and projects of regional stakeholders designed to ensure the success of the BP2 program.

The approval of the Action Plan comes as the BP2 program is expected to go into high gear with the easing of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite apprehensions that the return of people from Metro Manila and other urban areas to the provinces will increase the spread of the COVID-19 disease across the country, Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Eastern Visayas and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario, who presided over the meeting, assured the Committee that the Government is strengthening its coordination process to ensure that it will not cause the spread of the disease.

“The coordination process in the turnover of the beneficiaries has been strengthened. Consultations and approval by the receiving LGUs, as well as adherence to the minimum health protocols and requirements are needed to avoid setbacks and more importantly, halt the spread of COVID-19.”

Following the approval by the Special BP2 Committee, the Action Plan is expected to be presented during the First Quarter RDC VIII Full Council in March for subsequent endorsement to the National BP2 Council. The Action Plan was endorsed by the RDC VIII Sectoral Committees during their Fourth Quarter Meetings in 2020.

Article and Photos by:  Knulp Aseo and Maria Veda Eslopor