BY LOURDES NADONGA
ALL HOPE isn’t lost.
The Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa (BP2) Program rekindled hope among Filipinos, who were severely affected by the pandemic, to move forward and start anew.
Under Executive Order No. 114 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, BP2 encourages residents in NCR and other highly urbanized cities to permanently return to their respective provinces. This is to balance development in different regions and improve the quality of life in rural areas while addressing the problem of congestion in the Metro.
The government ensures inclusive growth, adequate services, and employment opportunities for BP2 beneficiaries.
“Hindi kayo pababayaan. We just invite everyone to take the necessary decision. A very fundamental decision or option na pwede natin bigyan ng pangalawang pagkakataon ang ating sarili, and take on the new challenge, the new hope na nabibigay ng ating programa,” National Housing Authority (NHA) general manager (GM) and BP2 council executive director Marcelino Escalada Jr. said.
To effectively streamline the planning and implementation of the program, the BP2 Council with GM Escalada Jr., clustered relevant government agencies to specify their roles and productively execute their responsibilities.
Key agencies include the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the beneficiaries’ free fare, ticket, or travel booking back to their provinces.
Transitory Family Support Package is provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which caters to the needs of each family during the transitory phase. The package may reach up to P50,000, depending on the social worker’s assessment. In addition to this, the department also grants livelihood settlement assistance, up to P50,000, which will serve as start-up capital to build businesses or sources of income.
While awaiting their housing units from the NHA, families are further assisted by the DSWD through Transitory Shelter Assistance or rental subsidy not exceeding P240,000 for two years.
To level up their livelihood program, beneficiaries are also furnished with innovative and highly productive farming techniques and production by the Department of Agriculture (DA). The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provides the latest technology and updated machines to help micro, small, and medium enterprises.
On the other hand, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) improves the skills of beneficiaries through training and classes, to arm them with more livelihood opportunities.
As of May 2022, more than 700 beneficiaries arrived in their respective provinces through the assistance of the BP2 program. Simultaneously, the program also assisted over 2,500 families who decided to go back to the province on their own.
Be a BP2 beneficiary by applying at www.balikprobinsya.nha.gov.ph or check the official Facebook of the program: @balikprobinsya.ph./PN
