By Rom Dulfo / Philippine News Agency
A total of 70 individuals are set to go back to Zamboanga del Norte province next week through the Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) program.
Roselyn Balladares, 28, said her family had to move thrice in two years after her husband lost his construction job at the height of the pandemic.
“Nawalan siya ng trabaho at nabaon kami sa utang. Ang hirap ng laging nangungupahan tapos may dalawa pa kaming batang kasama,” she said in an interview Thursday (Dec. 16).
Balladares said it came to a point when the family only ate rice porridge for days at the height of pandemic lockdowns in Metro Manila.
“Naglulugaw nalang kami. Tapos sa lugar namin, wala kaming masyadong natatanggap kasi hindi naman kami taga-doon at hindi kami nakarehistro, kaya wala kaming malapitan,” she said.
Going home to Zamboanga del Norte, Balladares said, means simple living and ease of access to basic goods.
“Dumating man ang pandemic, sa probinsiya mabubuhay ka kasi may mga gulay, may makukuhang prutas sa paligid,” she said.
The Balladares family was among the beneficiaries who underwent dispatch procedures Thursday at the BP2 depot in Agham Road in Quezon City, where they were asked to register upon arrival and were given an orientation about the BP2 program.
The BP2 recipients were ushered to their sleeping quarters after taking their swab tests and other health and disinfection procedures.
They were provided with sleeping accessories, pillows, blankets, food, and other essentials during their stay.
They were supposed to leave for Zamboanga del Norte on Friday but due to the inclement weather brought by Typhoon Odette, dispatch was moved to Dec. 20 or 21.
The BP2 is a program of the national government that aims to address Metro Manila’s congestion by encouraging people, especially informal settlers, to return to their home provinces and assist them during the entire process.
Apart from the free transportation, qualified beneficiaries can also avail themselves of free livelihood training and other support to equip them with the needed skills in case they plan to start a business. (PNA) – jlo
