These LSIs were affected by their company’s termination and got stranded in Manila during community lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to decongest Metro Manila’s urban areas, the BP2P was launched to encourage the informal settlers to return to their home provinces and assist them with support and incentives on transportation, livelihood, and housing among others.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development XI provided financial assistance in booking their plane tickets from Manila to Davao and their accommodation.

Furthermore, the Department of Labor and Employment XI, through its Davao del Norte Field Office, awarded each of them a livelihood starter kit worth P30,000. Additionally, the beneficiaries will carry out community-related work for 15 days under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) and will be compensated accordingly.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte awarded the LSIs with starter kits in vegetable farming and poultry management under the province’s KAAGAPAY Program.

DSWD XI Regional Director Raquel E. Nuñez, RSW led the signing of Memorandum of Agreement on the implementation of BP2P among the abovementioned government offices. Aside from the collaborative efforts of various government agencies and local governments in effectively managing the crisis, DOLE XI Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo, CESO III wanted to highlight the resilience of the beneficiaries to get through and overcome challenges during the pandemic.