VP urges gov't to organize efforts to help locally stranded Filipinos
Published Jun 14, 2020 12:00 am
By Raymund Antonio
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday blamed the death of a stranded mother to the national government’s lack of system for locally-stranded individuals during the coronavirus pandemic.
Vice President Leni Robredo (OVP / MANILA BULLETIN)
Speaking on her radio show, “BISErbisyong Leni,” Robredo said Michelle Silvertino should not have died if only the government efforts to help LSIs were organized.
“Kung alam niya kung kailan siya makakasakay, alam niya saan pupunta, hindi ito nangyari. Ilan pa ba iyong magiging ganito kapag hindi maayos ang sistema (If she knows when she can take the bus, where to go, this did not happen. How many of this incident will happen if the system is not organized),” she said.
Silvertino, a 33-year-old single mother, died in Pasay City, while waiting for five days for a bus that would bring her home to Calabanga, Bicol.
Silvertino was found unconscious at an EDSA footbridge in Pasay City and was later declared dead after being taken to a hospital. She left behind her four children.
The vice president said several other locally displaced individuals have been reaching out to her office and asking for a ride back to their home province.
Her sympathy goes out to all passengers who have been stranded around the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and have taken shelter in waiting areas and under a flyover.
“Iyong mga locally stranded passengers sobrang kawawa (The locally stranded passengers are very pitiful),” she noted.
Robredo called on the administration to organize its efforts in bringing home LSIs to prevent a repeat of Silvertino’s death.
“Huwag na dumating sa ganoong sitwasyon kasi nahihirapan na iyong mga tao, nagugutom. Sana mag-announce lang saan pupunta iyong mga stranded at ano ang gagawin sa kanila (Let’s not come to that situation because people are suffering and starving. I hope they will announce where those stranded would go and what they would do to them),” she said.
“Sana mayroong alternatives kaysa nakikipagsapalaran, naghihintay (I hope we have alternatives for them so they won’t be taking chances and keep on waiting),” Robredo stressed.
Since March, the Office of the Vice President and its private partners have been assisting stranded Filipinos in Metro Manila by providing them rides in going home amid the pandemic.
The OVP had also distributed 750 packed meals to LSIs at NAIA Terminal 3, Villamor Air Base, and those staying at the Baclaran Church last Thursday, June 11.
Vice President Leni Robredo (OVP / MANILA BULLETIN)
Speaking on her radio show, “BISErbisyong Leni,” Robredo said Michelle Silvertino should not have died if only the government efforts to help LSIs were organized.
“Kung alam niya kung kailan siya makakasakay, alam niya saan pupunta, hindi ito nangyari. Ilan pa ba iyong magiging ganito kapag hindi maayos ang sistema (If she knows when she can take the bus, where to go, this did not happen. How many of this incident will happen if the system is not organized),” she said.
Silvertino, a 33-year-old single mother, died in Pasay City, while waiting for five days for a bus that would bring her home to Calabanga, Bicol.
Silvertino was found unconscious at an EDSA footbridge in Pasay City and was later declared dead after being taken to a hospital. She left behind her four children.
The vice president said several other locally displaced individuals have been reaching out to her office and asking for a ride back to their home province.
Her sympathy goes out to all passengers who have been stranded around the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and have taken shelter in waiting areas and under a flyover.
“Iyong mga locally stranded passengers sobrang kawawa (The locally stranded passengers are very pitiful),” she noted.
Robredo called on the administration to organize its efforts in bringing home LSIs to prevent a repeat of Silvertino’s death.
“Huwag na dumating sa ganoong sitwasyon kasi nahihirapan na iyong mga tao, nagugutom. Sana mag-announce lang saan pupunta iyong mga stranded at ano ang gagawin sa kanila (Let’s not come to that situation because people are suffering and starving. I hope they will announce where those stranded would go and what they would do to them),” she said.
“Sana mayroong alternatives kaysa nakikipagsapalaran, naghihintay (I hope we have alternatives for them so they won’t be taking chances and keep on waiting),” Robredo stressed.
Since March, the Office of the Vice President and its private partners have been assisting stranded Filipinos in Metro Manila by providing them rides in going home amid the pandemic.
The OVP had also distributed 750 packed meals to LSIs at NAIA Terminal 3, Villamor Air Base, and those staying at the Baclaran Church last Thursday, June 11.