Camarines Sur among the pilot provinces for Probinsya Bagong Pag-Asa

By Estel Estropia

A total of 46 individuals from 13 families have arrived at Camarines Sur on April 30, 2021 as beneficiaries of the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa Program (BP2). The Province of Camarines Sur is among the pilot provinces for the said socio-economic program that aims to reverse the migration of people who were originally from rural areas of the country to Metro Manila and other urban areas.

Governor Miguel Luis “Migz” Villafuerte, in his acceptance letter of the beneficiaries addressed to the BP2 Council, said, “The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur is committed to support the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa Program. We hope that the BP2 Program and the benefits that the beneficiaries will receive through it will help ease the burden caused by the pandemic.”

Prior to dispatch to the province, all 13 families observed strict quarantine in their respective barangays. On their last day of quarantine, they underwent RT-PCR test where only those who tested negative will join the dispatch. Fortunately, all 46 members of the 13 families yielded negative results.

To ensure the health and overall wellbeing not only of the beneficiaries but of the communities they will be going back to, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur immediately subjected them to a 14-day quarantine upon their arrival at the Baao Community College, which serves as their quarantine facility. On their second day, they also underwent another RT-PCR test to ensure that they are healthy and free from the COVID-19 virus. The beneficiaries were also provided with hygiene kits, dignity kits, sleeping kits, vitamins, food, and water for the entire duration of their 14-day quarantine. Apart from this, the Provincial Government also dedicated a quarantine management team, medical team, and psychosocial team who will assist the beneficiaries and ensure their good physical and mental health throughout their quarantine.

A myriad of services and benefits were also prepared by the various agencies involved in the BP2 Program, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Housing Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Education.

Among the services and benefits the beneficiaries of the BP2 Program will receive are the transitory shelter assistance, livelihood assistance, and skills training on their area of interest. Through these assistance, the BP2 Council aims to support the transition of the families from Metro Manila back to their province and to ensure that they wouldn’t have the need to go back again to the urban areas of NCR.