BANGUED, Abra(PIA) - - The Department of Social Welfare and Development – Cordillera has distributed  a total of   P726,900.00 to qualified families who have returned to Abra   under the  Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pagasa (BP2) program in efforts  to help  them settle down and live hopefully a  sustainable life in the province.

DSWD-CAR BP2 Program Focal Christopher Daoayen  said  the distributed amount under   the    Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services National Community Driven Development Program (Kalahi CIDSS NCDDP) BP2 program covered transitory support package and livelihood assistance grant.

Under the transitory support package, there were 12 families from Bucay, Bangued, Lagangilang, and Tubo who received an amount ranging from P24, 650 to P40, 000 cash assistance per family. The amount covers expenses for their basic needs such as food, payment for rent and bills. 

For the livelihood assistance grant, six families from Bucay, Danglas and Lagangilang received P50, 000.00 each. This is intended as start up capital for their proposed small business as assessed by DSWD.

The BP2 program is geared towards addressing Metro Manila’s congested urban areas by encouraging people, especially informal settlers to return to their home provinces and  to  provide equity in resources throughout the country that will boost countryside development. Government agencies will assist the BP2 families in this transition with support and incentives on transportation, family, livelihood, housing, subsistence and education, among others

Dayaoen hopes the next administration will continue what has been started as this would be a big help to families who are jobless especially those affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and want to go back to the province. (JDP/SCA-PIA CAR, Abra)