In the recent Cagayan Valley Regional Development Council (RDC II) Committee on Development Administration & Communication (CODAC) meeting on July 22, the National Housing Administration (NHA) reported that the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Program drew 2,751 applications from Cagayan Valley residents currently working in Metro Manila.

Since its implementation, a total of 94,615 applications were submitted through the BP2  online portals and barangay centers. Of the total number, 2,751 were  individuals and families who want  to return to the region. Broken down further by province, Cagayan has the most applicants with 1,519  followed by Isabela with 957. The rest are  from Nueva Vizcaya with 184 and Quirino with 91 applications.

Architect Marissa B. Maniquis of the NHA-Central Office briefed the CODAC on Executive Order No. 114 or the BP2.  Maniquis shared that part of the validation process is the preferred livelihood of the applicants once they return to   their home provinces. Most of them preferred to be trained and enabled in agriculture and agri-business. Majority of the applicants were 26 to 35 years old.

The BP2 is the national program of the government towards a balanced regional development. It is currently on its short term or immediate phase which extends until December 2020. This phase addresses the needs of the individuals and families who are willing to go back to their home province ‘right now’. However, in light of the ‘Hatid Tulong’ program for the locally stranded individuals (LSI), the national government has temporarily suspended the program to focus on assisting the LSIs and overseas Filipinos.