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MANILA, Philippines — The government’s “Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa” Program ensured that no one is left behind, as it supported the return of 63-year-old Lucy Torlao to her birthplace in Catarman, Northern Samar, on Tuesday.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa gobyerno na natulungan ako sa bagong panimula para bumalik ng probinsya.” Malaking bagay na rin sa akin ang makauwi kung saan talaga ako nanggaling (I expressed gratitude to the government for assisting me in returning to my province for a new start.) In an interview, Lola Lucy stated, “It’s already a major thing for me to go home to where I truly originated from).”

Lola Lucy revealed that applying for the BP2 program was the brainchild of her late husband, Lolo Jesus.

During the pandemic, Lola Lucy said her husband worked double shifts as a welder to supplement their income and save money for when they return to the province.

On October 25, 2021, Lolo Jesus passed away from high blood pressure.

“Sa hangarin na magkaroon ng extra money, bumigay siya sa sobrang init (For wanting an extra income, he fell due to extreme heat),” Lola Lucy shared, tearful as she reflected on her husband’s good qualities.

Lola Lucy said she received a call from the BP2 program while grieving the death of her husband.

Lolo Jesus turned out to be eligible for the aid offered under the program.

Rather than denying, Lola Lucy did not hesitate to accept the help to return to their hometown since she thinks it is what her late husband would have wanted for them to renew their lives peacefully in the region.

“Nagdesisyon nako na umuwi na ng probinsya kasi wala naman akong kasama dito,” says the narrator. Kailangan ko na rin kumayod para sa sarili ko kaya uuwi nako doon sa lugar ko (I made the decision to return to the province because I no longer have a friend here.) I also have to work hard for myself, which is why I’ll return to my home),” Lola Lucy explained.

“Tinanggap ko nang maluwag sa kalooban ko ang tulong kasi alam ko ito ang gusto niya,” she said, adding, “I accepted it wholeheartedly because this is what he wants for us.”

Lola Lucy and her adopted five-year-old grandson will return home.

She has five children, all of whom have started their own families; three of them live in Caloocan, Manila, and the other two are already settled in Catarman.

Lola Lucy stated that she no longer wants to disturb her children.

“Tumayo ako sa sariling kong mga paa, gusto ko naman.” (I want to stand on my own two feet.) Mahirap umasa sa Kanila kasi may mga pamilya din sila. Because they have their own family, it’s difficult to rely on them),” she explained.

Lola Lucy thanked the government for allowing senior citizens like herself to pursue a new beginning through the Balik Probinsya program.

“Salamat natawagan ako kahit na inabutan pa ako ng one year, at least natuloy ang pangarap naming dalawa,” says the speaker. Even though it took a year, ‘yun talaga ang pangarap namin na makapag-umpisa na lang ng hanap-buhay sa probinsya. At the very least, we were able to realize our dream. Because that’s what we’ve always wanted to do, build a business in the province),” she explained.

Lola Lucy wants to open a sari-sari store in order to save money for her grandson’s future.

“Malaking tulong talaga itong Balik Probinsya kasi bukod sa makakuwi na ako eh makakaiwas pako sa banta ng Covid kasi diba sa probinsya medyo madalang naman ang mga tao dun lumabas-labas ang mga t (This Balik Probinsya is a tremendous benefit for me since, aside from coming home, I can also avoid the possibility of Covid-19 infection because there are just a few people walking around in the province),” Lola Lucy added, referring to the hazards of infection in Metro Manila’s congested regions.

Lola Lucy is part of a group of four families, totaling 20 people, that left Manila on Tuesday for the provinces of Northern Samar.

On May 6, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) No. 114, which formalized the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa program.

The EO’s main goals are to alleviate overpopulation in Metro Manila’s urban districts and to let informal settlers return to their native regions with a clean slate. It also aims to achieve a more balanced rural development.

The BP2 program application can be found at https://balikprobinsya.ph/ or by calling 0919-0657896 and 0919-0692530.

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