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I
Introduction

1. Rural folks who migrate to Metro Manila and other cities to look for greener pastures end up adding to the problem of congestion in these areas. Increasing number of people competing for survival, compounds the problems of economic deprivation, illiteracy, unemployment, underemployment, poor housing and health condition, malnutrition, etc.

2. Recent studies conducted by agencies working with urban poor indicate that there are about 60,000 squatter families scattered in these cities.

3. These families who are vulnerable to hazards both man-made and natural, need to be assisted to arrive at a decision to work out their rehabilitation in areas where they could recover, thus facilitating their smooth integration into the mainstream of development.

4. The current thrust of the government is to intensify rural development through the provision of basic services to those areas. Likewise, growth centers in the different provinces are being developed to provide opportunities for economic advancement.

5. It is along this line that “Expanded Balik Probinsiya” was thought of as a timely strategy to motivate not only squatters but disaster victims who are displaced as well to go back to their place of origin and be part of its on-going development.

II
Objective

To motivate squatters and other displaced/distressed individuals/families to return to their provinces of origin and participate in its on-going development to improve their level of well-being.

III
General Policies

1. Target Beneficiaries — Squatters and other displaced/distressed individuals who decided to go back to their province of origin whose family income are below food threshold of P1,400.00 for urban areas; P1,200.00 for rural areas.

2. Rate of Assistance

2.1 Transportation — actual fare of the cheapest means of transportation available from point of origin to point of destination.

2.2 Subsistence allowance

2.2.1 While in transit — at P25.00 per family member per day

2.2.2 Upon arrival at point of destination — at P25.00 per family member per day for a period of ten (10) days.

2.3 Rehabilitation program cost — based on standard rate of assistance per intervention.

3. Social preparation of the beneficiaries shall be an integral part of this project.

4. Inter-agency collaboration shall be strictly enforced to insure rehabilitation of the beneficiaries at point of destination.

IV
Project Description

The “Expanded Balik Probinsiya Project” actually connotes “planned return to province” of the distressed/displaced individuals/families who desire to go back to their provinces of origin. It is “planned” because there will be a conscious effort to prepare the beneficiaries for their return to their place of origin or to the place of their choice where they can be provided with opportunities to improve their level of well-being, as well as, preparation of the community where they will return. One of the factors that led to the failure of implementation of this project before is the absence of support mechanisms at the place of destination of these families. Efforts were exerted only to ease them out mainly to decongest the city. After a while they are back again squatting at any available space they can locate.

With the Expanded Balik Probinsiya, we envision to have an active inter-agency collaboration with DSWD workers coordinating the efforts, both at place of origin (where the distressed/displaced families will come from ) and the area of destination (where the families will return to). This means that simultaneous efforts are exerted to prepare the families return to their province and the community that will receive them.

Motivation efforts will be directed at sharing information on countryside development activities, job opportunities and social amenities in possible areas of destination. This information will be taken up with distressed/displaced families in target areas during neighborhood meetings where concerned agencies could be invited as resource persons. Other alternatives would be distribution of hand-outs/materials or use of audio-visual. From these exposures, the families may decide to go back to the provinces.

Identification of families will be done through a participative survey which would get information on the profile of the families which opted to go back to the provinces, their areas of destination and their needs/problems.

Identified families will be enabled to come up with their plans. In the process, they are assisted to identify their own resources and those of their relatives which they can avail of in their hometowns, the resources which they would need to carry out their plans. Their problems and concerns relative to their return will, likewise, be discussed and clarified. Families who have decided to go to the provinces and have come up with plans on their return will be provided transportation assistance as per their need. This will come in the form of bus/boat tickets and financial assistance for the family’s subsistence while in transit until they reach their destination. This is to ensure that they do not get stranded along the way because of inadequate transportation assistance.

Efforts at the area of destination will be directed at getting the involvement and participation of various agencies, both GOs and NGOs to ensure that returning families are provided access and opportunities for a better way of life. These will take into consideration provision of the following: reception center when necessary, resettlement sites and housing for those whose original areas may not be safe to return to, idle or vacant land (whether public or private) which could be used by families for livelihood activities, access to livelihood undertaking such as job placements in factories/production centers, presence of basic amenities and others.

An inter-agency body shall be set up at the provincial and municipal level for areas with high number of returning families. This body shall be responsible in coming up with a program to respond to the needs of the returning families, its implementation, monitoring and evaluation. As soon as the families arrive, they should be represented in the committees.

The DSWD as the primary agency in the Expanded Balik Probinsiya Project is responsible in organizing the families to respond to their problems utilizing DSWD services, as well as, those of other agencies. The returning families shall be assisted in its integration with the existing community where the family happens to live.

A. Activities of DSWD Workers in Cities of Origin

1. In coordination with the barangay/municipal/city relief and rehabilitation committee, identify families through a survey who signified their willingness to return to their home province/city should be prepared.

2. Conduct of home visits to families to and come up with brief case study to include the following:

2.1 family data (family composition, exact address of province of destination, identification of family’s resources, number of employable family members with corresponding skills/interest for practical skills training, housing accommodation, etc.).

2.2 An assessment of the willingness of the client beneficiaries to return to their home province/city as part of their rehabilitation plan.

2.3 An assessment of the need and the corresponding resources for a complete rehabilitation of the socio-economic status of the client beneficiary.

2.4 A treatment plan prepared by the family through the assistance of worker that will ensure that the shelter, livelihood and other needs of the client beneficiary will be adequately addressed.

3. Determine the actual transportation expenses of the family from the point of origin to the point of destination and the subsistence allowance required for the duration of the trip. Prepare the needed documents for the release of the said amount and coordinate with transportation companies for possible discounted fares.

4. Prepare profile of families for endorsement to the worker of province of destination as reference.

5. Prepare a referral letter to the DSWD Branch Offices at the point of destination, copy furnished to the Regional Office and attach the client beneficiary’s case study. This may be sent through the client with instructions that this referral letter will ensure that the family will be given the assistance required to completely implement the rehabilitation plan.

6. Beneficiaries should be grouped according to the same point of destination so that their joint departure can be arranged. Fare tickets should be purchased in bulk by the worker. Where needed an escort may be provided to ensure the arrival of the clients at the point of destination.

7. Coordinate with DSWD workers in areas of destination about the schedule of arrival of the identified families.

8. Coordinate with the Task force/committee on Balik Probinsiya in the area of destination for a thorough information on economic opportunities in the growth centers/job openings/ production centers.

9. Meet families to discuss opportunities in areas of destination.

10. In cases where point of destination is outside of Luzon and sea travel is needed prior coordination with NCR should be made. NCR will provide necessary assistance to cover transportation and subsistence cost until arrival at the point of destination and ensure that the clients board the ship that will bring them to their point of destination.

B. Activities of DSWD Worker at the Province of Destination

1. Contact families/relatives of returning families (if there are) to prepare for their family reunion.

2. Provide leadership in the formation of a Task Force/committee on Balik Probinsiya with representatives from local government, National Housing Authority, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, NGOs which cater to this clientele and religious groups.

The Task Force will come up with a program to assist returning families to facilitate their speedy reintegration into the community.

2.1 Set up of reception center.

2.2 Arrange for possible resettlement sites and housing

2.3 Negotiate for government or private land which the families can utilize for food production or livelihood activities.

2.4 Locate job opportunities both from GO, NGO and private firms.

2.5 Arrange for the education concern of the children of families.

2.6 Serve as broker for other needed services.

2.7 Inform inter-agency body at the area of origin of the status of the program.

2.8 Reception of returning families.

2.9 Conduct inventory of skills needed as basis for training which can prepare returnees for gainful employment, either as self-employed or in open market.

3. Provide counseling service when necessary.

4. Coordinate with DSWD in areas off origin on the status of returning families.

5. Monitor families in relation to achievement of rehabilitation plan.

6. The Region of destination upon assessment of families, resources (internal and external) should provide for the subsistence allowance of the client beneficiaries for at least 10 days after arrival at the point of destination and ensure the provision of assistance to the client beneficiaries based on the rehabilitation plan.

V
Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation

1. Regions of origin and of destination shall submit monthly report to the Secretary indicating the following information:

1.1 In Matrix Form:

1.1.1 number of families/persons who have availed of Balik Probinsiya assistance within the period.

1.1.2 corresponding point of destination

1.1.3 corresponding budgetary cost

a) transportation

b) subsistence allowance

c) rehabilitation program cost

1.2 Narrative Report:

1.2.1 Brief interpretation/analysis of the statistical presentation.

1.2.2 Status of rehabilitation programs.

1.2.3 Status of activities of Task Force.

1.2.4 Problems encountered/solutions made.

2. The Bureau of Emergency Assistance (BEA) shall conduct periodic consultation on the implementation of the project.

3. Annual evaluation of the impact of project shall be conducted by BEA to identify gaps/strengths of implementation as basis for technical consultation and program development.

Adopted: 12 Oct. 1990

(Sgd.) MITA PARDO DE TAVERA, M.D.
Secretary