Stranded Sorsogon residents brought home by gov’t ‘sweeper team’

MANILA, Philippines — Sorsogon residents left stranded at nearby Bicol provinces during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine will be fetched by a “sweeper team” formed under an executive order of Governor Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero.

“We will not allow Sorsoganons to remain refugees and will help them get home,” Escudero said on Facebook Monday along with an announcement that the “sweeper team” had been dispatched.

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Representatives from the local Philippine National Police (PNP), Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) are part of the said team. Executive Order 21 – 2020, released on March 20, calls for local government units (LGUs) to assist “stranded persons in various ports and borders.”

The first batch to be brought back to their home province was composed of 58 individuals, the Sorsogon Provincial Information Office (SPIO) announced Monday.

About 60 Sorsogon residents were reported stranded at the borders of Quezon, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, SPIO said. Some had no access to food or a place to sleep for two days while at the boundary.

Stranded persons who arrive with the “sweeper team” will stay first in a quarantine facility in Sorsogon City before they can go home. A medical team will monitor their health while the government will provide basic needs such as food and medicine.

READ: ‘Hatid-Sundo sa Stranded OFWs’: OWWA’s free Naia transpo service

EDV