96,000 already applied for Balik Probinsya Program –secretariat

More than 96,000 have so far applied to the "Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pag-asa Program" (BP2), its secretariat said on Saturday.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, the National Housing Authority's Marissa Maniquis said 96,682 people have applied for the program.

The first batch composed of 101 people were sent back to their homes in Leyte back in May, but the program's dispatching was suspended to give way to the Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs), Maniquis said.

"'Yung isang malaking challenge is of course 'yung ating nararanasan ngayon na pandemic. Kasi tungkol doon sa beneficiary, doon sa pamilyang mga ito, aside from the assistance that they will be getting aside doon sa ating usual standard na mga pag-dispatch sa kanila, kailangan nating i-consider itong COVID-19," she explained.

Aside from the pandemic, Maniquis said there are also challenges with the coordination and continuity of the program.

The national government suspended the implementation of BP2 to focus resources on transporting stranded individuals in Metro Manila to the provinces.  — DVM, GMA News