The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has so far extended P25.5 million in financial assistance to over 10,000 locally stranded individuals (LSIs) in Metro Manila under the government’s Hatid Tulong program.
"To date, DSWD has provided P25,540,200 worth of assistance to a total of 10,361 LSIs during the first and second batches of the government’s Hatid Tulong initiative,” the DSWD said.
Of the P25.5 million assistance given to LSIs, a total of P12,137,200 worth of cash aid was provided to a total of 5,039 LSIs during the second batch of the Hatid Tulong.
"The Department will continue to assist LSIs to help provide for their basic needs and ensure their safe return to their provinces and families,” it assured.
Among those who were financially assisted were 1,268 LSIs bound for Caraga who were served on July 25; 1,417 LSIs going to the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Regions I (Ilocos), II (Cagayan Valley), III (Central Luzon), V (Bicol), VI (Western Visayas), and VIII (Eastern VIsayas) on July 26; and 676 LSIs bound for Regions VI and VIII (except Bohol) on July 27, the DSWD said.
The Hatid Tulong Grand Send-Off of the second batch of LSIs was held from July 25 to 29 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
The DSWD said financial assistance amounting to P2,000 was given to the LSIs under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and for those carrying children, they were granted additional assistance amounting to P1,000 per accompanying child.
Another batch of LSIs, numbering 687, bound for Caraga on July 28, and 991 LSIs going to Zamboanga City on July 29 have also been assisted by the DSWD.
"Upon arriving in their respective provinces, the LSIs were provided with hot meals and family food packs and other needed assistance and interventions by DSWD Field Offices in the regions,” the DSWD said.
It said sleeping kits and hygiene kits were provided to other LSIs who are temporarily sheltered in Taguig City, City of Manila, and Bulacan while waiting for the schedule of their send off to their respective provinces.
"Proper coordination with the local government units (LGUs) has also been made to enable them to make the necessary preparations for the return of the LSIs and implement screening and quarantine measures to protect their citizens from the virus,” the DSWD said.
Hatid Tulong is the government's assistance initiative that seeks to transport back those who were stranded in Metro Manila during the coronavirus lockdown to their respective provinces.
The DSWD said the initiative is being led by the Presidential Management Staff and has been implemented in compliance with the health protocols and guidelines to control the spread of COVID-19.
Before being transported back to their respective provinces, all LSIs underwent rapid testing for COVID-19 supervised by the Department of Health (DOH).