STA. TERESITA, Cagayan (PIA) - - A total of P7,910,000 grants was awarded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 2 (DSWD FO2) through the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program (BP2P) in this town on June 8.

At least 21 families received P40,000 each as Transitory Family Support Package that will cover food and non-food items needed while the family is in transition phase, while 13 barangays were awarded a total of P6,750,000 in community grants to aid in the implementation of their chosen sub-projects.

The Transitory Family Support Package includes hygiene kits, clothing, sleeping kits, cooking/eating utensils, first aid kits, basic fixtures- beddings, table and chairs, school requirements and school supplies among others.

Mayor Rodrigo De Gracia expressed his gratitude for the program, saying “anghel talaga ang mga taga DSWD dahil sa kanilang mga binigay na tulong at tila hulog ng langit ang tatlong proyekto na galing sa KALAHI-CIDSS para sa mga Teresiano.”

De Gracia also encouraged the beneficiaries to use this opportunity to invite their relatives back to the province and for barangays to use their chosen projects for the betterment of the society.

“Pagkakataon ang BP2 program para mabago ang aming buhay at makapagsimula kaming muli na galing sa Maynila,’said Melchor Collado, BP2 beneficiary. “Umuwi ako dito dahil nawalan ako ng trabaho buhat ng nagkaroon ng pandemya kaya malaking tulong po ang programa ng DSWD para makapagsimulang muli,” he added.

During the same day, the groundbreaking for the concreting of Barangay Access Road in Brgy. Caniugan was conducted, signifying the first step towards the completion of their P338,356.21 project.

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 assist them in this transition with support and incentives on transportation, family, livelihood, housing, subsistence and education, among others. (DSWD press release)