Balik Probinsya Program: Preparing for the new normal

Vista Land supports the Balik Probinsya program by offering several affordable house and lot packages in hundreds of locations nationwide.

The government recently extended the ECQ in Metro Manila and critical areas of the country to May 15, 2020.  While the rest of the world continue to battle the dreaded virus, PH has more worries ahead.  the economy is on the brink of collapsing and people's lives are also on hold because of fear and  uncertainty.  The different Department of the government each has its own contribution to the Task Force that is helping each other to solve the crisis.  But left out in the picture at least for now are the economists that would like to push for more detailed plans on how to revive the economy after the COVID crisis. DOH on the other hand is still on the limelight sharing it with the DSWD in making sure that the spread is controlled and that people would have food on their plates everyday.
Short term stops are on its way but long term solutions are still hanging as we speak.
Thankfully, cabinet members have agreed on one program as of late.  And this is a very wise program that may really have long term effect and may serve as our defense for future health crises such as COVID.  This is the government's BALIK PROBINSYA PROGRAM.  This has actually been started way back 2016 and one of the first programs initiated by the Duterte government.
However, its traction was left to the rut as business conglomerates' support on this has not been realized.  Instead the infra program or BBB has even been the reason why people saw the need to stay and live within Metro Manila to avoid the daily horrors of commute and travel. According to a survey report from Colliers International, about 60% of workers living in the suburbs of NCR are willing to find co-living spaces in the Metro.  Even so most are willing to pay an average of P4-6k per head for a bedspace near their workplace.  Developers took advantage of the situation by offering condo developments near workplace, some with an outright co-living model. But all that's gone at least for now after the lockdown has taken place.  People living in these highly densed co-living spaces all went back to their homes mostly in nearby suburbs and provinces.  5 of my 10 staff have exactly the same experience. and because of forced work-from-home arrangements, most companies are rethinking their physical office models to incorporate some learnings from the pandemic.
But going back the BPP, I would think it is the best social program I've seen so far.  Manila is really overrated.  I have long rejected many proposals of real estate developers offering condo developments for my family.  I have once rented in Manila and I told myself that I will never rent again.
 But I noticed that a lot of my friends and acquaintances from Manila have stayed in their ancestral homes and is currently stuck with their parents even though they already have families of their own. This is because of the lack of affordable housing in NCR.  In my many FGDs about real estate, those who intend to buy their own house and lots were thinking of buying condos  instead of a house and lot in the Suburbs because they wouldn't like to commute 3hrs a day one way to and from work.  However, with the new norm, people will be forced to rethink.  People should rethink house and lot.  First of all in a condo, your chances of contracting the virus is much higher that if you live in your own house and lot.  You'll have less common things to touch and you'll have fresh healthier air to enjoy in a house and lot than a condo. In most subdivisions like Camella, Lessandra and Lumina, you'd get to enjoy the same level of security with their 24/7 guards.  You get to enjoy subdivision amenities such as swimming pools, basketball court, clubhouse etc.  And most Vistaland properties also have malls and relevant establishments that makes these subdivisions self-sustaining.    Plus if you live in the more provincial areas, you'll be able to enjoy more natural scenery right out of your balcony.
The government is planning to provide incentives for both people and business sectors who support the program.  Creating jobs and opportunities for the people who will choose to uproot themselves from NCR and more importantly to those who are just forced to rent in Manila to return to their home province to restart their lives.
Surely, the Villar group is on the front end of all these are they already have the products to support this program.  They actually have 2 brands (Lumina and Bria) www.lumina.com.ph and bria.com.ph that cater to the lower middle class.  Prices starts at P500k and Pagibig amortization is as low as P2,000 a month.

They also have models for the middle class that starts at P800k or monthly amortization of P6-8,000 a month.

Another brand Lessandra lessandra.com.ph aims address the real middle class who can afford house and lot packages of P1.5M to 3.2M, monthly payments starts at P15k.

Of course we all know Camella Homes https://www.camella.com.phmay be found anywhere.  The country's largest home builder, Camella packages starts at P3M for about P20k per month.  Amenities of each brand vary and Camella would of course have the most outstanding offering.  Camella has complete amenities which includes a large or olympic-sized swimming pool, grand clubhouse, a 2-ring basketball court, jogging path, playground, 24/7 security with roaming guards and lush landscaping in common areas.

As we get ready for the inevitable impact of COVID to our economy, it would really be worthwhile to consider the new normal. Hopefully, people would see that their movement from Metro Manila might be the best decision they may ever make.  A simpler, happier and safer life in the province might just be what we really hope for.  As we dare to navigate our way through these uncertain times, we pray people will come to realize the importance of space and healthy fresh air which is almost non-existent or at least non-accessible to most in the Metro.  As a true native of the province of Rizal, I am one of the few who have realized this early on.  I can say that I am genuinely enjoying the lockdown and do not see the need to go outside especially downtown for anything.  A stone's throw away is a grocery store and a small wet market where my husband buys food for us.  We are lucky to  enjoy the cool breeze of the air every morning when we take our daily dose of Vitamin D. We can freely walk outside our park for a quick snack while kids lightly play and jog along the path. We don't have to open common door knobs or handles like the usual condo dwellers do.  We don't have to touch elevator buttons and pray that it is empty so we can avoid being cloistered with other people.  We don't have to get worry about getting infected all the time.
Yes, we are the lucky ones but also the wiser ones who have long stayed in the province despite the hassles of everyday commute.  We only hope that more people will make follow suit and make the wise decisio - #balikprobinsya.
For inquiries you may visit their website or their fb pages:
Camella: facebook.com/camellaofficial
Lessandra: facebook.com/lessandraofficial
Lumina:facebook.com/luminahomesofficial
Bria: facebook.com/thebriaofficial