Manila: Abra lone district Rep. Joseph Sto. Ni±o Bernos has introduced a bill aimed at addressing the 'brain drain' in provincial areas, which he argues exacerbates the disparity between urban and rural regions.
According to Philippines News Agency, Bill 3124, known as the 'Balik-Bayanihan sa Probinsya' bill, was filed at the House of Representatives on August 5. The legislation seeks to tackle internal migration by bolstering local work and enterprise ecosystems through the alignment of education, labor, and development policies. This approach contrasts with the conventional method of offering temporary incentives or financial aid to encourage graduates and young professionals to remain in their hometowns.
The proposed bill includes the creation of a Balik-Bayanihan Program encompassing several key components. These include establishing provincial talent hubs that will offer career coaching, job matching services, labor market information, continuing education, professional development opportunities, co-working spaces, and mentorship programs for freelancers, startups, and returning professionals.
Additionally, the bill proposes a local career pathways and job creation initiative to highlight and promote career opportunities in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, digital services, crafts, and local public service. This component also aims to integrate place-based internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training within senior high school and tertiary education curricula, while encouraging curriculum alignment with local labor demands.
The rural employment linkage component of the bill will establish a Rural Employment and Enterprise Partnership Program. This program will connect young workers with micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives, remote work opportunities, digital economy roles, tourism and heritage-based enterprises, agribusiness, environmental restoration projects, and local manufacturing endeavors.
Under the return-to-province career tracks component, local government units (LGUs) and national agencies would be required to maintain and publish priority hiring rosters for government positions and partner institutions. They would also be mandated to offer reintegration support services, such as licensing facilitation, remote work infrastructure, and enterprise incubation.
Furthermore, the bill calls for collaboration between LGUs and the Department of Information and Communications Technology to provide broadband support and shared tech facilities to enable digital professionals to thrive in rural areas.
Bernos emphasized the importance of local talent remaining in their hometowns to utilize their skills and energy for local development. He stated that rather than creating new structures, the bill advocates for 'a recalibration of priorities of existing institutions.'
"We need a shift in mindset, a refocusing on rural development that would help address regional inequality. It will be easier to achieve rural development if we prevent the exodus of our young talent away from their hometowns towards urban centers," Bernos remarked. He also urged the youth to consider contributing to the development of their local communities.
