DAY BEFORE. Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa program beneficiaries undergo Covid-19 swab tests on Thursday (June 3, 2021) at the BP2 depot in Quezon City to ensure that they are free from Covid-19. Thirteen families are scheduled for dispatch to Leyte on Friday. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald Alfiler)
MANILA – The Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Program does not end after beneficiaries are sent home.
They are continuously monitored upon arrival in their home provinces.
A new batch of 13 families, consisting of 49 individuals, is scheduled for dispatch to Leyte on Friday.
On Thursday, they underwent swab tests at the BP2 depot in Quezon City to make sure they are negative for Covid-19 before flying home.
Victor Balba, National Housing Authority (NHA) Assistant General Manager and Deputy Executive Director, told the Philippine News Agency in an interview that the NHA-BP2 Committee has immediate, mid-term, and long-term plans for beneficiaries.
“Mali naman na ‘yung na-dispatch sila tapos pababayaan sila. Maraming pamilya dyan na dapat talagang tulungan (It is wrong that after they are dispatched, we will just let them be. Many of them really need assistance),” Balba said.
Those that have houses to return to are immediately dispatched. Those without or no relatives who can help them are included in the mid-term and long-term plans, like a housing program.
“Hindi naman kami kaagad makakagawa ng pabahay kaya kasama sila sa mid-term at long term plan. Kasama sa benefit ang pabahay pero hindi libre. May bayad din 'yun (We cannot build a house for them immediately, so they are included in the mid-term and long term plan. Housing is part of their benefits. However, it is not free. They have to pay),” Balba said.
He said the payments can help NHA sustain the program.
There are 21 government agencies involved in the BP2 program.
The main agencies are the NHA, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
“May kanya kanyan silang suporta sa mga benepisyaro depende nga lang sa pangangailangan nila para maayos nila ‘yung buhay nila. Sa ngayon, dahil bago itong programa, ginagamit ng bawat ahensya ang kanya kanyang pondo (Each supports the beneficiaries, depending on their needs so they can restart. For now, each agency uses its own budget),” Balba said.
Aside from the free transportation, beneficiaries are given financial and livelihood assistance and technical training to equip them with skills and knowledge that will help them restart in the province.
Balba said the DSWD continuously monitors the BP2 beneficiaries until they become independent.
However, once a beneficiary transfers to another place and no longer communicates with the assigned agency, all benefits will be stopped. (PNA)
