The provincial government of Davao del Norte is ready to receive another batch of Balik Probinsya Bagong Pag-asa (BP2P) beneficiaries, having created the mechanism to run the program at the local level.
Guesting at the recent episode of Kapihan sa DavNor, Davao del Norte BP2P Team Leader Nelson Plata and Hazel Crizaldo Zafra, BP2P co-team leader were both optimistic about the readiness of the province for the second round of dispatch of the “Balik Probinsya.”
Plata cited the natural receptiveness of Provincial Governor Edwin I. Jubahib to the needy and the poor Dabaonons verified to be in dire need of help and assistance.
“Si Gov maski taga laing ahensiya mag-accommodate man gani (Governor Jubahib even those from other agencies is even ready to accommodate), how much more kung taga (if they are from) Davao del Norte mismo (themselves). We can simply say we are ready because our partners, we can rely on them, ready na pud ang ilang programa (they are also ready in their program),” he said during the edition of Kapihan sa DavNor.
Davao del Norte received in March 2021 the first dispatched of BP2P beneficiaries consisting of 19 individuals from Metro Manila.
Zafra recalled having picked a statement from one of the family heads among the beneficiaries, detailing the difficulties they suffered while staying in Metro Manila in the midst of the pandemic which caused substantial losses of livelihood and jobs.
Executive Order No. 114 issued on May 06, 2022 institutionalized the BP2P Program, aimed at providing socio-economic response to decongest Metro Manila and other metropolis and “provide a better future for Filipinos through equity in resources and countryside development.”
The BP2P framework is anchored on assistance to relocatees; empowerment of local industries; food security and agricultural productivity; housing, social welfare and human resource development; and infrastructure development.
“The Role of the LGU is basically to accept,” Zafra said. “Kita ang pilot run sa resumption of BP2P… Walay template kung unsaon. (there was no template on how to do this),” she added referring to LGU level implementation
Zafra highly noted the zeal and active coordination among Davao del Norte provincial offices together with national line agencies primarily involved in the BP2P program.
“There’s pooling of ideas and resources. That’s the beauty of support and coordination,” Zafra said leading crafting of mechanism on how to run the program.
On top of the immediate assistance provided by the Provincial Government particularly the “warm welcome and accommodation” upon arrival of BP2P beneficiaries, Governor Jubahib released a number of food and non-food items including health assistance.
Plata and Zafra revealed that among the national lines agencies which immediately responded were the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), National Housing Authority (NHA), and the Dept of Environment and Natural Resources.
With the deluge of assistance given to BP2P beneficiaries already reaching at about P1.8 million from the PLGU of Davao del Norte and national line agencies, Plata saw observable improvement in their lives.
“Naa na sila sure na income; naay livelihood, sustained; reunited sila sa ilang pamilya, naa na silay balay at P50,000 per family. Though for light materials only, pero naa na silay balay,” he said.
Zafra had seen improvement in camaraderie and strengthened coordination among offices with national line agencies, leading Davao del Norte at the forefront of LGUs as model implementer of BP2P .
Zafra revealed the PLGU had been informed that 21 individuals are due to be sent home this year under the BP2P program. Provincial validation will have to be conducted first before they will be sent, Zafra said. (PIA XI/Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)
