More Boholanos finding way home: 267 stranded in Manila have returned

At least 267 locally stranded individuals (LSIs) arrived in Tagbilaran City, Bohol on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 onboard Philippine Coast Guard vessels. (Photo: PCG-Western Bohol)

TAGBILARAN CITY—At least 267 stranded persons, who were among thousands gathered at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, arrived in Bohol on Tuesday.

They were brought to the province through the government’s “Hatid Probinsiya” program.

The stranded Bohol folk were given rides in Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels.

The first batch arrived at 6:40 a.m. on board the BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4404), which carried 24 stranded persons. The second batch was composed of 218 stranded people.

BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) carried the third batch with 25 Boholanos.

A report from PCG Western Bohol said all the stranded persons went through health screening and followed COVID-19 safety protocols.

All of the stranded persons were subjected to rapid coronavirus tests, which would detect antibodies, before they were sent to their hometowns.

Upon arrival at the Tagbilaran port, the stranded people were met by representatives of their hometowns’ local government units.

They would be on quarantine in their hometowns.

The Bohol folk had been stranded in Manila, a coronavirus epicenter, for four months because of travel restrictions which were part of quarantine measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Since March 23, at least 9,789 stranded persons had already returned to Bohol. At leat 6,248 have completed quarantine.

TSB