Everybody is talking about the Balik Probinsiya Program nowadays and I am personally excited to see this come to life. Exciting as this may be, and in such trying times at that, the aim of the program is something that we ought to be communicating as many ask “how” they can take part in such an initiative.
The Balik Probinsiya focuses on creating new sustainable and productive communities and provide safe and decent housing through the promotion of sustainable management of resources while uplifting the community’s social and economic status.
The program consists phases that include the identification of settlers, site preparation, masterplan development, resource mobilization, implementation and monitoring as well as evaluation. It also includes the people’s organization which will be responsible in both management and intervention.
The people’s organization within this program is strengthened and equipped to face the challenges that may arise. We have been talking about sustainable communities for a very long time, and perhaps a pandemic such as COVID-19 is pushing us to actually move toward such a program and, whether the timing is right (or not), I look forward to seeing more locals invest in their hometowns as this is what sustainable communities require.
In the very first place, what exactly do we mean by sustainable communities? Such communities are planned, built or adjusted in order to promote supportable living. Such living conditions include environmental and social issues that are necessary not just for the present but also for the future.
Long term agendas are seen fit in order to manage and maintain the quality of life. In order to have healthy communities with clean air, water and natural resources, long term plans are imperative in ensuring sustainable communities.
The main focus therefore is being able to meet the needs of the present without compromising future generations in meeting their own. Simply put, profit, environmental concerns and social obligations are three main factors that compose a sustainable community and by doing so, people feel safe while every group has a seat at the decision making table.
It is about time and as a people living in a nation that is so wildly rich in resources that we learn to take part in the human, natural and financial aspects in developing sustainable communities.
If we are to talk about investment, it is time we invest in educating ourselves further on how we can take part in such a program.
A good government initiative has been put into place – pandemic or no pandemic. Having said this, more focus will be placed on our local governments nationwide because then, it will be their business to ensure their constituents also participate in growing their communities.
Government alone cannot do this. Civic society must be activated in order to reap the benefits (as well as the tools) that will be passed on for the generations to come. Everyone is accountable. It will take the whole of nation.