The COVID-19 pandemic has made grave impacts especially to families who needed to take big steps due of financial adversities.

According to Dominic Madregalejo, 25, a father of a five-year old child, they could hardly make both ends meet since he lost his construction job owing to the pandemic. Though he resorted to having sidelines, these jobs gave him only Php200.00 to Php350.00 a day which was not enough for their basic needs.

“Pinagkakasya ko lang [yung pera] para sa anim na buwan [na lockdown],” he mentioned.
(I did my best to make the money last for the six-month lockdown.)

“Minsan humihingi ako ng malunggay at kamote sa mga kapit-bahay,” he continued.
(Sometimes, I ask my neighbors for moringa leaves and sweet potato.)

Despite living in Quezon City for three (3) years, Dominic and his family decided to return to their hometown in Camarines Sur where life for him is easier.

The 25-year old father discovered the Balik-Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) program through Facebook. He applied for the program through the National Housing Authority (NHA) registration system.

The BP2 program is one of the support measures to decongest urban poor communities. It also aims to provide opportunities to families from urban areas who are affected by the pandemic, displaced workers, or susceptible to health and safety risks and other environmental hazards.

The Madregalejo family went through the assessment process conducted by the social workers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) National Program Management Office (NPMO) to determine the type of assistance needed by their family.

A NEW CHAPTER
On April 29, 2021, Dominic and his family along with other 12 families from National Capital Region (NCR) travelled to Camarines Sur and followed the necessary health protocols required such as undergoing quarantine for 14 days.

After the quarantine, the Department provided transitory family support packages as assessed by the social workers which ranged from Php10,000 up to Php70,000, and family food packs (FFPs) for the beneficiaries of the program.

Dominic also shared his aspirations for his family.

“Gusto ko may sariling bahay kasi nag-aaral na yung anak ko mahirap na palipat-lipat kami,” he said.
(I want to own a house because my child is studying and it’s difficult to keep transferring from one place to another.)

He also added that he wants a permanent job and a business for his wife.

“Maraming salamat sa Balik-Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa program kasi natulungan kami at masaya ako para sa programa,” he stated.
(Thank you to Balik-Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa program because it has helped us and I am happy for this.)

Aside from the transitory family support package and FFPs provided, the Madregalejo family as well as the other beneficiaries will go through further assessment for other possible interventions.

ABOUT BP2 PROGRAM

The DSWD provides various types of services under the program such as transportation and livelihood assistance for individual recipients.

For family beneficiaries, the agency offers transportation assistance, transitory family support package, livelihood settlement grants, transitory shelter assistance, and/or psycho-social support while community grants for municipalities with more than 25 family beneficiaries.

For more information regarding the program, visit the website at
www.balikprobinsya.ph.