The symbolic acceptance and turnover ceremony of beneficiaries to Local Government Units (LGUs) on November 25, 2021 marks the start of cash assistance payouts for beneficiaries of the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2P) in Bohol and some areas in Cebu.

DSWD-7 gave the returned families from the National Capital Region (NCR) airfare and cash assistance ranging from Php 10,000 to Php 68,000 depending on the family size and needs during their transfer.

The program disbursed the said cash assistance to recipients in Tubigon, Carmen, Garcia Hernandez, Duero, Alicia, Dimiao, and San Isidro.

DSWD-7 BP2P has now released Php 2.2 million transition support for food, electricity, water, and other needs to 130 families as they return to their communities.

Call Center Agent Janeth S. Dumondon, a recipient of the cash assistance, thanked the BP2P. “Gikan ko og Manila ug mabdos ko nga niuli diri sa Bohol. Apan ang kaayo sa maong programa ang naghatag kanako og paglaum nga adunay nindot nga oportunidad nga nagpaabot kanako sa akong pagbalik sa among komunidad (I came from Manila, and I am pregnant as I returned to Bohol. The program is good, and it gives me hope that opportunity awaits for me upon my return to my community),” said Dumondon.

Beneficiaries of some municipalities in Cebu like San Remigio, Dalaguete, Argao, Bantayan, Santa Fe, Madridejos, and Barili also received the said cash assistance.

Meanwhile, Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), the implementing program of DSWD for BP2P, conducted a psychosocial support activity on November 25, 2021, to the families who returned to San Remigio, Cebu, to assess their situation in their new communities.

The program will also provide another type of assistance called community grant for LGUs with 20 returned families to fund projects such as farm-to-market roads, isolation facilities, among others.

KALAHI-CIDSS will provide 7.5 million community grants to fund the highly-prioritized needs of eligible municipalities.

Alicia Municipal Mayor Victoriano C. Torres III shared his excitement on the additional funding to his constituents and encouraged families to provide the necessary support needed by DSWD. “We are grateful for this initiative – the return of our families and the kindness that DSWD extended to us through this community grant,” said Torres. ###

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