Decongestion of urban centers pushed

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas and its partner agencies are implementing the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program (BP2P) in a bid to help decongest urban communities where “poverty continues to rise” as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.

The recipients of this inter-agency initiative are provided with “holistic intervention”.

“This program is not just an ordinary government program but a unique project that encapsulates all the support needed for a community development while enabling individuals to return to their hometowns where the support system is guaranteed,” DSWD-7 Regional Director Rebecca Geamala said in a statement.

DSWD’s partner agencies are the National Housing Authority (NHA), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The government agencies are currently preparing for the return of 129 families to Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

DSWD’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), which leads the implementation of the program, is assigned in preliminary activities that outlines eligibility assessment, documentation, case management, counseling and send-off of beneficiaries, while NHA is in charge of managing the enrollment system of applicants and database of beneficiaries, and assisting beneficiaries with their housing concerns.

DA’s role is to lead the implementation of Food Security and Agricultural Productivity by providing market assistance to beneficiaries venturing in agribusiness.

DOLE provides grants for workers venturing into small enterprises.

For its part, TESDA provides scholarship programs, trainings, and allowances for individuals availing of skills improvement.

NEDA, on the other hand, is a long-term implementing agency of the program. It is tasked to identify priority growth for development and comprehensive support from different agencies anchored on the provision of Skills Priority Plan that focuses on livelihood, agribusiness, and manpower skills.

BP2P is a program that focuses on bringing people from urban to rural areas while providing comprehensive social services to start anew; and on low-income families.

“DSWD encourages all eligible individuals and families to return to their home provinces and avail of the different assistance such as transportation and transitory support, livelihood, shelter, and psychosocial assistance, among others,” said deputy program manager Karl Vladimir Arbon.

Executive Order No. 114 Series of 2020 mandates all government agencies to work together in providing a comprehensive service to BP2P beneficiaries and support Local Government Units in the conduct of social preparation.

4PS

Meanwhile, DSWD through its flagship program, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, gave cash aid to indigenous peoples (IPs), especially those living in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).

In Central Visayas, there are 3,840 IPs Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries.

Most of these are from Negros Oriental with 2,820; 750 from Bohol; 260 from Cebu; and 10 from Siquijor. — b