The Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Program has helped 69-year-old Ricarte Floresca, an option to escape his miserable city life and return home to his province.
Floresca, his wife, two children, and a grandchild were among the 17 who returned home to La Union province earlier this week. He hopes it is not yet too late for him to rebuild their lives in his home province.
“It is only now that my dreams will be realized,” Floresca said in the vernacular, referring to his desire to provide a comfortable life for his family.
He shared that when the pandemic hit the country, life became doubly difficult for them as relied mainly from his meagre earnings as a tricycle driver.
Floresca said he never wished for an extravagant life, “just enough for us to get by – to have our own house, plant crops for food, raise livestock. I believe these are enough to live a peaceful life and away from Covid-19 since it’s in the province,” he added.
Floresca believes that life is better in the province and hopes he can still realize his dreams for his family without bothering relatives for help.
“I don’t expect help from my relatives especially since they do not even know we’re going home. According to this BP2 program, it will help us improve our lives, without bothering any relative. We trust we will manage,” he said.
Two other BP2 beneficiaries went home to Ilocos Sur and 24 to Iloilo on Tuesday. (PNA)