MANILA - Four more families affected by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic earned the opportunities to have a fresh start through the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program (BP2) of the Duterte administration.

The four families, composed of 12 individuals, are set to leave Metro Manila on Thursday (Oct. 27) for Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte.

Jonalyn Diona, along with her three children -- Jafet, 20; Jheann, 16; and Jay Ann, 13, decided to return to their province but without her husband who must stay in Metro Manila so he could continue working to support his family.

She said life in Metro Manila turned difficult for her family due to pandemic.

Jafet said they came to a point of stretching a can of sardines for breakfast and lunch for the whole family.

He said seeing the sufferings of their parents made it easier for him and his siblings to return to their province.

"Masakit kasi hindi kami kumpleto pero kailangan eh kasi pinaliwanag niya sa amin eh. Kasi siya naman daw po yung kailangan magtrabaho para patuloy kaming makapag aral (It's painful especially because we are not complete as a family, but we have to do this and he (his father) explained everything to us that he needs to work so that we can continue to study)," Jafet said.

The family is thankful that the government has created programs such as the BP2 to help people, especially the poor, by giving them hope to continue to dream for a better tomorrow even in their respective provinces.

"Para sa akin malaking tulong talaga ang Balik Probinsya kasi yung sa pamasahe pa lang malaking tulong na, kaya po nung si Balik Probinsya ay nag open, talagang nag apply ako, tyinaga namin mahintay yung proseso nya at nagpapasalamat kami na naaprubahan kami (Balik Probinsya is a big help particularly for our fare. That's why when it opened, we applied despite the long process. We are thankful that our application was approved)," Jonalyn said.

Institutionalized under Executive Order 114, series of 2020, the BP2 program is an initiative of the national government created to address the congestion in Metro Manila's urban areas.

Government agencies guide the beneficiaries throughout this transition by providing additional support and incentives on transportation, livelihood, family needs, subsistence, education, housing, and others.

As of October 25, the BP2 has sent back a total of 378 individuals to different provinces that include Leyte, Davao del Norte, Isabela, Camarines Sur, Ormoc City, Apaya, and Agusan del Sur. (PNA)