DSWD endorses 54 returning Sibugaynons eligible for BP2

 By: Jocelyn P. Alvarez

Zamboanga Sibugay, Oct. 19 (PIA) - A total of Fifty Four (54) returning Sibugaynons were identified and endorsed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 9 as eligible beneficiaries for the Balik Probinsya Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Program of the Duterte Administration.

In a virtual BP2 Inter-Agency Coordination Meeting called for by the Provincial Local Government, DSWD9 explained, in the implementation of BP2 program, their target beneficiaries include low-income individuals and families needing assistance to resettle in the provinces and/or receiving communities affected by government projects and activities; eviction and demolition allowed by the law; families living on the streets or unsafe dwelling places; affected by human-induced and/or natural hazards or disasters including health hazards; affected by loss of jobs and/or income opportunities; disadvantaged, vulnerable and/or marginalized ; and other situations acceptable and valid based on the assessment of the Social Worker.

Eligible Individual  beneficiaries will received assistance package of transportation assistance; food assistance and livelihood assistance with maximum amount of P15,000.

Family beneficiaries  will receive assistance packages of: Emergency Financial Assistance which covers food and other basic needs; Transportation and Relocation Assistance (3,000 to maximum of 35,000); Transitory Family Support Package ( food and non-food items maximum of 50,000); Livelihood Settlement Grants which shall not exceed 50,000 and Transitory Shelter Assistance  for the one to two years house rental not exceeding 240,000. 

DSWD clarified, the Transitory Shelter Assistance will be provided to families who will be renting a dwelling place while waiting for the completion of the construction of the house/resettlement under BP2. The beneficiaries however may opt to use the money for renovation of their house in case the returning family/families have their own place to stay. 

Meanwhile, DSWD said,  the Local Government Units (LGUs) with eligible minimum 20 returning/moving families to resettle or relocate in their municipality/ies are qualified of their Community Assistance Packages that includes: Municipal Grant Allocation for Basic Services worth P7.5 million ; Social Preparation Activities of P500,000 per municipality; and Capacity Building Intervention of P300,000 per municipality. (EDT/JPA/PIA9-Zamboanga Sibugay)