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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Homecoming of stranded locals stopped in 5 places – Palace

Homecoming of stranded locals stopped in 5 places – Palace

Published Jun 29, 2020 12:00 am
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos Malacañang said there was a moratorium on sending home locally stranded individuals (LSIs) to five different places in the southern part of the Philippines due to the limited number of persons their quarantine facilities can accommodate. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque speaks during a press briefing at the New Executive Building in Malacanang, Friday. (CAMILLE ANTE / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque
(CAMILLE ANTE / MANILA BULLETIN) In his Monday presser, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has approved the moratorium on sending home LSIs in the following:
  • Western Visayas
  • Cebu Island
  • Mactan
  • Eastern Visayas
  • Caraga Region
"Wala na po silang lugar para mag-quarantine, lalo na po sa Caraga (They have no more place for quarantine, especially in the Caraga Region)," Roque said. PCR testing Meanwhile, Roque said LSIs were not required to undergo PCR testing before they are allowed to travel back to their hometowns after a number of LSIs were stranded at the Manila North Harbor because they were supposedly required to be tested first. "Yung nabalita po na isang bapor na papunta po ng Dumaguete at ng Zamboanga na naantala ang pag-alis dahil wala raw pong PCR result, maglalayag na po 'yan. Hindi po nire-require ang PCR (The ship bound for Dumaguete and Zamboanga which was delayed because of the lack of PCR test results will not sail. PCR testing is not a requirement)," he said. Roque said the new protocol only requires an LSI to produce a medical certificate and will only undergo PCR testing once he has reached his destination. In case the receiving local government unit (LGU) cannot conduct PCR testing, the LSI will be placed under a 14-day quarantine. Days after Michelle Silvertino died in Pasay City while waiting for a bus ride home, the government was able to immediately assist the return of 34,571 LSIs to their hometown. The LSIs were first transferred to the Villamor Airbase and Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PHILSCA) where they were temporarily housed while waiting for their ride home. They also underwent COVID-19 testing. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) likewise gave LSIs who stayed at the Villamor Airbase and PHILSCA financial assistance and sleeping and sanitary kits. The National Task Force (NTF) on COVID-19 was tasked to harmonize the government's efforts in sending home LSIs and repatriated overseas Filipino workers.
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