One hundred seventy-two (172) families under the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) program received assistance amounting to PHP 15,265,000.00 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 5 on December 28-29, 2021 in Camarines Sur.

The payout was conducted in five (5) municipalities: (1) Caramoan with 83 beneficiaries, (2) Iriga City with 21 beneficiaries, (3) Nabua with 26 beneficiaries, (4) Pasacao with 16 beneficiaries, and (5) San Jose with 26 beneficiaries.

The assistance provided to beneficiaries were the Transitory Family Support Package and Livelihood Settlement Grant.

The Transitory Family Support Package is a financial support ranging from PHP 10,000.00 to PHP 50,000.00 that will cover the food and non-food items needed by the family during the transition phase while the Livelihood Settlement Grant is a start-up financial assistance not exceeding PHP 50,000.00 to help beneficiaries establish their sources of income and/or livelihood.

Ms. Rosalie M. Barizo, Regional Program Coordinator (RPC), explained that the 172 beneficiaries who have already returned to their communities with the intention to permanently reside were identified and assessed by their respective Local Government Units through the Local Social Welfare and Development Offices (LSWDOs).

“All family beneficiaries received varying amounts of assistance depending on the assessment of the social worker,” she added.

Ms. Barizo also said that interested families or individuals may apply through the official website of BP2 program at www.balikprobinsya.gov.ph or visit the Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO) for intake and assessment.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
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 those who are susceptible to health and safety risks and other environmental hazards.

The program, through the DSWD, offers transportation assistance, transitory family support package, livelihood settlement grants, transitory shelter assistance, and/or psycho-social support to family beneficiaries while community grants may be provided for municipalities with more than twenty (20) BP2 family beneficiaries.

The assistance provided will be based on the assessment of the LGU social workers. Other National Government Agencies (NGAs), as members of the Regional
BP2 Program Committee, also provides complementary assistance to eligible families.