Thousands of LSIs to be sent off this weekend — DILG

Published Jul 3, 2020 1:35:02 PM | Updated Jul 3, 2020 5:35:00 PM

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 3) — Thousands of locally stranded individuals will sent back to their respective provinces this weekend, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said on Friday.

“Meron po tayong inihandang mga 100 bus, tatlong barko, isang eroplano at isang tren para makapaghatid po ng mga locally stranded individuals na sa ngayon ay bumibilang sa 4,000,” said DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya in the regular Laging Handa virtual briefing.

[Translation: We have prepared 100 buses, three ships, an airplane and a train to transport locally stranded individuals, which have reached 4,000 as of late.]

Malaya said this is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement on Monday regarding a massive send-off for LSIs.

The official also clarified that stranded individuals from Mindanao will be sent home on Saturday, while residents of Luzon will be transported on Sunday.

LSIs headed for Visayas, on the other hand, will not be sent home for the meantime in light of the decision of the regional Inter-Agency Task Force and local government units, added Malaya.

“Yung mga nasa Manila North Harbor na na-cancel po ang kanilang mga ticket ay tinutulungan na po ng Philippine Ports Authority ng Department of Transportation at ni-rebook na po ang kanilang mga ticket para makauwi na po sila as soon as ma-lift ang suspension ng pagpapauwi ng mga LSIs sa Visayas,” he said.

[Tarnslation: The Philippine Ports Authority is helping (LSIs) in the Manila North Harbor and they have already rebooked their tickets so they can go home immediately once the suspension on sending LSIs to Visayas is lifted.]

The DILG likewise reiterated stranded individuals must secure a medical clearance certificate and travel authority so they can get back home.

Palace debunks claims help is slow for LSIs

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque refuted claims that government is slow in helping LSIs.

He said the government immediately crafted a policy to assist stranded individuals after a single mother of four died while waiting for a bus ride home in June.

“Hindi po totoo na nagtagal ang mga LSIs na walang tulong,” explained Roque. “Ang problema po eh mas maraming mga LSIs, dahil mas marami pong mga flights na naka-kansela dahil hindi nga po tinatatanggap ang mga flights na ito sa iba’t ibang mga LGUs kung saan sila papunta.”

[Translation: It’s not true that LSIs did not receive help for a long period of time. The problem is that there are more LSIs because more flights are getting cancelled as LGUs aren’t allowing them to land in their respective localities.]

The DILG has consistently asked local governments to accept stranded individuals into their localities. Local authorities are free to enforce their own health protocols upon the arrival of LSIs, the agency likewise reminded.

SOURCE: https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/7/3/thousands-of-LSIs-send-off-weekend.html