In a Laging Handa briefing held this morning, Presidential Management Staff Assistant Secretary and head of the “Hatid Tulong” program Joseph Encabo said that 13,000 locally-stranded individuals are still waiting for transportation to their homes in Visayas and Mindanao.
This announcement was made after reports of stranded individuals camping out near the terminal gates of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport circulated on social media.
The individuals, who are taking temporary shelter at the Villamor Elementary School and Philippine State College of Aeronautics, are currently being clustered to identify the best mode of transportation to bring them home.
“’Yun po ay dahan-dahan nating kino-consolidate, kina-cluster at grouping para mai-ayos po natin ang kanilang schedules at the same time, ma-identify natin ano ’yung akmang transportasyon para sa kanila,” Encabo said.
Encabo also reported that the “Hatid Tulong” program assists in transporting stranded individuals to areas of departure. Food and financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development have been given to stranded individuals. As of writing, the program has helped 53,000 people return home through land, sea and air transportation.
The Department of Health, however, raised concerns about returning individuals being carriers of the virus, as the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Visayas have been linked to returnees. The department cited that of the 146 cases recorded in the region, 66 were overseas workers and stranded residents returning from Metro Manila and/or Cebu City.
Prior to traveling, stranded individuals are required to secure a medical certificate from a municipal or city health office and travel authority from police stations of their place of origin.
Header photo by Richard A. Reyes for Inquirer.net
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