PANGLAO, Bohol, Nov. 12 (PIA) -- Four Boholano families composed of 15 individuals stepped out of the Philippine Airlines flight from Manila and to the tarmac in Panglao for good.

After running out of luck and better opportunities in the metropolis especially during the pandemic, the four families have decided to permanently return to Bohol and availed of the government’s Balik Probinsya Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) program. 

BP2 is geared towards addressing Metro Manila’s congested urban areas by encouraging people, especially informal settlers, to return to their home provinces and the government can assist them in this transition through support and incentives on transportation, family, livelihood, housing, subsistence and education, and a package of assistance. 

Apart from direct assistance and subsistence allowances to families, government agencies have converged to ensure continuous improvement of economies and quality of life in the provinces, so the re-settlers can benefit some more. 

This it does with the program’s long-term plans on various investments in infrastructure, agriculture, business, transportation, and access to a responsive healthcare system. 

On the other hand, local government unites are empowered to effectively manage crises to build resilient communities and provide hope for a better future to Filipinos and boost countryside development. 

During the welcome program held at the airport airside nook, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Carmelita Tecson handed out food packs, snacks, and hygiene packs to the arriving families and cash assistance of P5,000 per family. 

Also at the welcome ceremonies were the BP2 technical working group agencies composed of Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Housing Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Education, Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, as well as representatives from the local government units.  

The returning families include Nestor Baja Calderon and family of six returning to Abijilan Garcia Hernandez, Nerisa Dabon and family of three from Poblacion Sur Carmen, Janice Beronio Danlog and family of four from Duero, and Vevencio Serinas Mabalhin, Jr. and a family of two from Tubigon.

Nestor Calderon, who finished high school at Tabuan High School, said he worked as a gardener in Taguig until he was laid off during the pandemic.

He brought his family to Caloocan to help sell vegetables until he realized he could give a much better future to his family in Bohol.

“I was a gardener, and if that is the work that I do in Bohol, it’s still the same, and the cost of living there is not as much as in the metropolis,” he said.

Calderon’s wife, Deliza, who also comes from Abijilan, said her parents have idle lands while her husband’s family also have some spare lots they can cultivate.

Duero Mayor Amparo, who personally met the families upon their arrival, urged Boholanos who have relatives in Manila who are willing to come home to take the chance to avail of the BP2, adding that Bohol will be doing its best to accommodate the returning residents and help them transition and adapt to their new environment. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)