3,109 LSIs set to return to Caraga region

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — A total of 3,109 residents of the Caraga region who are currently stranded in Metro Manila are set to return home on July 25 and July 27 under the government’s “Hatid Tulong” program.

Charito Plaza, Director General of Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), said the two trips were organized by her office.

Plaza said some 1,378 returnees will travel on July 25 and another 1,731 on July 27, aboard 2GO Shipping Lines vessels.

Of the 3,109 returnees, 680 are bound for Surigao del Sur, 637 to Agusan del Sur, 498 to Agusan del Norte, 480 to Surigao del Norte, 389 to Butuan City, 224 to Dinagat Island and 201 to Surigao City.

Plaza said the returnees to Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Butuan City will disembark in Cagayan de Oro City as the Nasipit Seaport in Agusan del Norte has technical problems.

Those going to Surigao City, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Island will disembark in Surigao City’s Lipata Port, Plaza added.

Plaza said that upon agreement with PEZA, the respective local governments in the region will fetch the returnees at the ports of arrival.

The returnees will undergo rapid antibody tests before being processed for boarding in their designated vessels in Manila. Those who will test negative in the rapid test will be allowed to travel home while those who will test positive will have to stay in Manila for quarantine, Plaza added.

/MUF