Manila Bulletin
Philippines
Stranded individuals transported home, receive financial assistance from DSWD
Philippines
Stranded individuals transported home, receive financial assistance from DSWD
Stranded individuals transported home, receive financial assistance from DSWD
Published Jun 15, 2020 12:00 am
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
A total of 379 locally stranded individuals (LSIs) were sent on their way home to their provinces after the government vowed to assist those who are affected by the COVID-19 quarantine measures.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after he assured that no other Filipino would have to suffer the same fate as Michelle Silvertino who died in Pasay City after waiting for five days for a bus ride to Camarines Sur. In his Monday press briefing, Roque reported that 764 LSIs have been transferred to the Villamor Air Base Elementary School as of Sunday morning. Of the said figure, 379 were assisted for transport while 385 were still waiting for their turn. He added that 150 LSIs were already sent to Davao and General Santos City via OPV BRP Gabriela Silang while another 150 were ferried via a Cebu Pacific flight bound for Davao. Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had distributed 633 sanitary kits and 633 sleeping kits to LSIs. The department likewise provided P2,000 financial assistance to 539 LSIs. Roque earlier said that Silvertino's death prompted the government to establish new policies to assist locally-stranded persons particularly those near airports and bus stations. "Huwag po kayong mag-alala, hindi po tayo bulag sa paghihirap ng ating mga kababayan at ayaw na ayaw po ni Presidente 'yan kaya aksyon agad (Do not worry, we are not blind to the sufferings of our fellow Filipinos and the President does not want that so expect immediate action)," he had said. Meanwhile, Roque reported that a total of 50,105 repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have returned to their home regions as of June 15. The COVID-19 quarantine measures prompted the government to transport those stranded locals and OFWs back to their hometowns since provincial buses are temporarily banned in Metro Manila to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Balik Probinsiya program, President's Duterte's push for Metro Manila workers to return to their home provinces, was likewise suspended to give way to the homecoming of those who are stranded in Metro Manila.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after he assured that no other Filipino would have to suffer the same fate as Michelle Silvertino who died in Pasay City after waiting for five days for a bus ride to Camarines Sur. In his Monday press briefing, Roque reported that 764 LSIs have been transferred to the Villamor Air Base Elementary School as of Sunday morning. Of the said figure, 379 were assisted for transport while 385 were still waiting for their turn. He added that 150 LSIs were already sent to Davao and General Santos City via OPV BRP Gabriela Silang while another 150 were ferried via a Cebu Pacific flight bound for Davao. Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had distributed 633 sanitary kits and 633 sleeping kits to LSIs. The department likewise provided P2,000 financial assistance to 539 LSIs. Roque earlier said that Silvertino's death prompted the government to establish new policies to assist locally-stranded persons particularly those near airports and bus stations. "Huwag po kayong mag-alala, hindi po tayo bulag sa paghihirap ng ating mga kababayan at ayaw na ayaw po ni Presidente 'yan kaya aksyon agad (Do not worry, we are not blind to the sufferings of our fellow Filipinos and the President does not want that so expect immediate action)," he had said. Meanwhile, Roque reported that a total of 50,105 repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have returned to their home regions as of June 15. The COVID-19 quarantine measures prompted the government to transport those stranded locals and OFWs back to their hometowns since provincial buses are temporarily banned in Metro Manila to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Balik Probinsiya program, President's Duterte's push for Metro Manila workers to return to their home provinces, was likewise suspended to give way to the homecoming of those who are stranded in Metro Manila.