Hatid Tulong head to LGUs: Provide LSIs with temporary shelters

Stranded persons assemble on the roadside near the Libingan ng Mga Bayani in Taguig City as they wait for rides back to their hometowns. TONY BERGONIA

MANILA, Philippines — The head of the Hatid Tulog program on Friday appealed to Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) to allocate their covered courts or gymnasiums as temporary shelters for locally stranded individuals (LSIs).

This is to accommodate some 430 LSIs who are camped outside the Libingan ng mga Bayani, Presidential Management Staff Assistant Secretary Joseph Encabo said in a televised briefing.

“Kami po ay nakikipagugnayan sa ibang ahensya ng national government, ng local government units sa ka-Maynilaan, kung makapagbigay po sila ng lugar kagaya po ng covered court o kaya gymnasiums o mga centers na puwede gawing [temporary shelters], bibigyan namin sila ng atensyon at doon natin sila dadalhin,” Encabo said.

(We are coordinating with agencies of the national government, local government units in Metro Manila if they could provide a space like a covered court, gymnasiums or centers which can be turned into temporary shelters where we can bring them.)

Encabo said they are still waiting for the response of the cities of Taguig and Pasay on the possible temporary shelters for the LSIs.

Meanwhile, the Palace official assured that they are providing food and hygiene kits to LSIs who are now staying outside the Libingan ng mga Bayani with the help of some private donors.

“Patuloy po kami nagcoconduct ng mga profiling para malalaman natin kung ilan po ang bawat LSI na pupunta o pauwi sa isang probinsya,” he added.

(We are still conducting profiling so that we can know how many LSIs are returning to a specific province.)

Asked when the LSIs can be transported back to their respective provinces, Encabo explained they are still waiting for crew members of ships and bus drivers designated to the Hatid Tulong program to finish their quarantine periods.

/MUF