By Ma. Bernadette Malabanan
Families who went back to Caramoan, Camarines Sur, are starting to have a comfortable life because of the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa (BP2) Program.
BP2 Beneficiaries received a transitory allowance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), livelihood assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), mobile tablet for student beneficiaries from the National Housing Authority (NHA), and other support from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Caramoan.
The BP2 beneficiary Leonidita Ortiz-Sabio started selling in their area, and was able to build her own house using the grants she received from BP2. “Nabigyan ako ng tulong ng government. Ito inumpisahan ko, nagtinda-tinda na ako. Tapos ito nagpagawa nga ako nitong bahay para mayroon kaming matirahan kaysa kubo-kubo lang,” she said.
On the other hand, another BP2 beneficiary Jing Jing Elen decided to go back to Camarines Sur with her family after she had a stroke during the pandemic. In the province, the Elen Family was able to grow the livelihood grant they received. They have a successful sari-sari store and a small poultry business with 50 chicken heads.
Meanwhile, BP2 beneficiary Ivy Mariol-Arcera used the benefits they received to buy a motorboat for her and her husband’s fishing livelihood in the province.
On May 6, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 114 to institutionalize the BP2 program, aiming to decongest highly urbanized cities and to strengthen regional development. Filipinos who lost their jobs during the pandemic and lived in hazardous areas are encouraged to relocate to the province permanently.
