In a bid to improve government service for returning Kapampangan from overseas, Governor Dennis 'Delta' Pineda through the Provincial Local Task Force Against COVID-19 conceptualizes a repatriation assistance program that will significantly better the welfare of Kapampangan overseas Filipinos (OFs) and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
The conceptualized program entitled "Balik Pinas Balik Pampanga" is an initiative of Governor Pineda in a battle cry of helping the national government ease its burdens in fighting the virulent enemy in helping Kapampangan OFs/OFWs in going back to the country.
The program has a counterpart online mobile application which provides registration platform and OF/OFW welfare management tool aiming to fast track profiling and improve monitoring system for the repatriates, directly avoiding unnecessary long lines and grueling processes.
Representatives of the Provincial Task Force member offices from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Provincial Health Office, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and invited officials from the Overseas Workers Welfare Authority (OWWA) and Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth) convened on June 10, 2020 to brainstorm the process and system flow of OF/OFW management.
During the said meeting, DILG Pampanga Director Myrvi Apostol-Fabia lauded the initiative of the governor, further highlighting the vital impact the program is about to provide for Kapampangans who wish to go back to their home province.
Set to be in operation soon, Balik Pinas Balik Pampanga program aims to provide VIP-like treatment for Kapampangan OF/OFWs from their country of origin in terms of on-the-spot swab testing, fast RT-PCR results within three (3) days, and prime management on the very own quarantine and isolation facility of the provincial government of more than 150 rooms in New Clark City.