SAN AGUSTIN, Surigao del Sur -- Some 41 beneficiaries who were repatriated from the National Capital Region (NCR) and other nearby provinces, received 35 sets of vegetable production modules, six (6) sets of mushroom production modules and other agricultural inputs to jumpstart their farm diversification practices under the Balik Probinsiya Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Program initiated by the Department of Agriculture -Caraga on October 2, 2022.
The San Agustin Organic Farmers Organization (SOFA) also served as the reintegration site of the principal beneficiaries. The BP2 beneficiaries may opt to join the organization as members to optimize interventions and assistance provided by the DA and other government agencies. They will undergo series of trainings to utilize and maximize the intervention.
“You are encouraged to engage in agricultural production because we have a big responsibility in achieving a food-secured San Agustin,” Municipal Agriculturist Genalyn Campos said.
DA – Caraga Regional Executive Director Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate Jr. also reiterated that cooperation is the key to achieving that aim. Oñate added that the DA Caraga is very willing to marry its programs and projects to the existing and planned agriculture initiatives of the municipality.
Leonides A. Corvera, a housewife who stayed in Imus, Cavite is one of the beneficiaries of the BP2 Program. During the lockdown, she and her family decided to permanently go back to San Agustin in 2021. Corvera received a mushroom production package.
“Life there is hard, especially during the pandemic. My family decided to go home and I’m thankful that we are given livelihood aid to augment our needs,” she said.
Florencio Otagan, a company driver who stayed in Quezon City for 13 years decided to come back after being laid off from his company. He said he will stay here for good especially since he is now given a vegetable production module from BP2.
The Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program aims to provide hope for a better future to Filipinos through equity in resources throughout the country that will boost countryside development.
The 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. (Kent Warren H. Fugoso, DA13-RAFIS/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
