8,000 LSIs returning to provinces this weekend

MANILA, Philippines — More than 8,000 locally stranded individuals (LSIs) will be sent to their provinces this weekend.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it would deploy 120 buses and sea vessels to bring home the LSIs under the second phase of the Hatid Tulong program.

Philippine National Railways trains will also be tapped to transport some of the LSIs.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said most of the LSIs have been staying in temporary shelter facilities, including the Philippine Army gymnasium, Villamor Air Base Elementary School, Manila Science High School and Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“Hinihiling natin ang pakikiisa ng mga LGUs (local government units) sa Hatid Tulong para sa maayos at sistematikong pag-uwi ng mga LSI sa kani-kanilang probinsya,” Año said.

LGUs were directed to prepare for the arrival of LSIs, including the provision of transportation, isolation facilities and their basic needs.

Dennis Villaseñor, DILG National Barangay Operations Office director, said stranded residents would not be allowed to return in areas where a moratorium remains in effect.

Villaseñor said these LSIs would be brought to a temporary shelter in San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan.

He said the DILG respects the ban imposed by some LGUs in consideration of the capacity of their quarantine and testing facilities.

Some governors had earlier sought the suspension of the repatriation of  LSIs and  overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), saying their quarantine facilities have reached their maximum capacity.

Authorities admitted that LSIs and OFWs contributed to the emergence or surge of COVID-19 cases in the provinces.