Region 8 lawmakers seek ‘Hatid Probinsya’ review

NO RUSH, PLEASE Twelve congressmen representing the Eastern Visayas region are seeking a review of the government’s “Hatid Probinsya’’ transportation program for stranded overseas Filipino workers and other people waiting for a ride from Metro Manila back to their home provinces, like these travelers at Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange on Thursday. The lawmakers say health officials should first make sure the returnees are negative for the coronavirus before they are allowed to make the trip. —RICHARD A. REYES

Lawmakers from Eastern Visayas have called for additional funding and protective measures against the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) including the review of the government’s “Hatid Probinsya” program.

In a statement, the 12 lawmakers warned about more infections as repatriated overseas Filipino workers and stranded locals return to their home provinces.

“We firmly believe that it is the duty of government to ensure that these constituents of ours are free from coronavirus infection and other diseases before they are allowed to rejoin their family members. Their freedom from COVID-19 infection means that their loved ones are free from harm, too,” the lawmakers said.

More funding

The group also sought funding to purchase 500,000 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE) for front-liners and to set up quarantine centers—a “regional processing center” for returning residents in Tacloban City and “alternate processing centers” in other airports and seaports in the region, among other purposes.

On Thursday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said 34,571 of 45,565 stranded individuals have been brought to their home provinces.

There are no more stranded individuals left at Villamor Air Base and at the Philippine State College of Aeronautics in Pasay City, Roque said at a press briefing.

“They are now at the Villamor Golf Club for COVID-19 testing, which began on Wednesday. They are awaiting their scheduled flights today and Friday,” the Palace official said.

He added that the Department of Social Welfare and Development has extended P 2.6 million in assistance to 1,502 beneficiaries. —WITH A REPORT FROM JULIE M. AURELIO