CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, June 30 (PIA) -- The provincial government launched Monday an app meant to track and assist all Kapampangan Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs).

Balik Pinas, Balik Pampanga Citizen App seeks to ensure that Kapampangan ROFs will return home safely.

"Alam naman natin na malaki ang naging sakripisyo ng ating ROFs, nagtrabaho't nalayo sa mga mahal sa buhay. Marami na silang hirap na pinagdaanan at ito ang pinakasimpleng bagay na pwede nating gawin para kahit paano ay maibsan ang kanilang paghihirap (We know that our ROFs already made sacrifices working overseas and be away with their families. This is the simplest way that we can ease their burden upon their return to our country)," Governor Dennis Pineda said.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Angelina Blanco, who is one of the chief implementers of the program, said the app will serve as a tool for the provincial government to be updated beforehand on the number of ROFs that will arrive in Metro Manila, thus speeding up repatriation, and determining the kind of assistance needed by the repatriates upon their arrival in the country.

Information Technology Business Solutions Corporation Chief Executive Officer and app developer JP Miranda explained that Balik Pinas, Balik Pampanga Citizen has a Know Your Citizen module that seeks to get details about the ROFs so that they can be assisted from the airport to the swab testing facilities up until they are cleared by Department of Health and they can go home to their families.

Only ROFs who registered 10 days or more before their scheduled flight will be accommodated.

To register, go to www.balikpampanga.ph and download the app. Sign up and wait for One-Time-Password (OTP) on e-mail.

Log in with your username and OTP, complete the documents needed, and wait for the QR code and reference number that will be sent on e-mail, which is a signal that your application is approved. (CLJD-PIA 3)