Balik Probinsya beneficiaries hope to start anew

Leyte resident Efraim Pacala arrived in Manila in February to work at a bakery. A month later, however, he lost his new job, as Luzon imposed an enhanced community quarantine to stop the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

After two months, Pacala is on his way back to Leyte, hoping to starting anew as a baker. He is one of the beneficiaries of the government’s Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa program.

The Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa program recently sent off its first batch of Metro Manila residents who wish to go back to their home provinces.

According to Dano Tingcungco’s report on “24 Oras,” Wednesday, the government program aims to bring those who have lost their jobs in Metro Manila due to the ECQ back home to their provinces. 

Also included in this batch was Marlene Zelmar, also from Leyte. She has worked in Metro Manila for over five years as a food attendant in a school cafeteria. But since the lockdown was imposed, she also stopped earning income.

“Grabe na standby dito nahiya na ako sa pamangkin ko,” she said. “Trabaho namin kung may pasok doon sa eskwelahan kasi nakadepdende doon. Kung holiday, wala rin.”

Before boarding the bus, all returning citizens underwent a checkup and a COVID-19 rapid test.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also gave the citizens P5,000 as transportation allowance and a grant of up to P15,000 should they want to start a business in their hometowns.

DSWD Undersecretary for Operations Aimee Neri said those who were included in this first batch were all heads of families.

“Ang layunin natin ay di na sila dito patrabahuhin pero bibigyan natin sila ng negosyo o trabaho doon sa probinsya kung saan sila nakatira,” she added.

DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista shared that those going back to their home provinces could avail of psycho-social support from the agency.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also gave the citizens who are part of the program a starter kit to help them build their businesses.

“Gusto natin sila bigyan ng starter kit ng sari-sari store at kung ang asawa naman nila gustong manahi, pwede natin sila bigyan ng sewing machine para right away, pagdating sa probinsya pwede ng may pagkakakitaan 'yung pamilya,” said DTI Undersecretary for Trade Promotion and Special Concern Gani Macatoman.

The Department of Labor and Employment also held a booth beside the bus so citizens could have an easier time in looking for jobs when they get back home.

Sen. Bong Go, who was present during the sendoff, said the government was not forcing anyone to go back home but the program was an available option for those who wished to.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said over 28,000 applicants had already registered for the program.

“We're starting to process them para the soonest possible time makakaalis sila,” he said.

According to the National Economic and Development Authority, the jobs of over one million workers are threatened because of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

Although Metro Manila has eased into a modified enhanced community quarantine, many establishments remained closed amid the pandemic. – RC, GMA News