Locally stranded individuals spend the night at the track and football stadium of Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila last July 27, 2020 while waiting for tips back to their home provinces under the government’s Hatid Tulong’ program.
RICHARD A. REYES / INQUIRER
MANILA, Philippines — Locally stranded individuals (LSIs) should coordinate with local government units (LGUs) first before going to send-off areas of the “Hatid Tulong” program, its lead convenor said Friday.
Presidential Management Staff Assistant Secretary Joseph Encabo said this is to prevent them from camping out in the send-off areas like the situation of some LSIs at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
“Nananawagan po kami na kung maaari sana ay sundin ang proseso ng Hatid Tulong intiative. Makipagugnayan muna sa kanilang local government units at kapag sila’y natawagan at nakausap ng ating kawani ng Hatid Tulong initiative ay saka lang po sila pupunta sa designated areas para sa ating send-off,” Encabo said in a televised briefing.
(We are asking that if possible, let’s follow the process of the Hatid Tulong initiative. Coordinate with local government units first and wait for the call of a Hatid Tulong staff before going to send-off designated areas.)
Encabo explained that under Hatid Tulong’s new approach, it awaits LGUs of provinces to give a go signal that they are ready to accept LSIs.
“Kung alin po ang mga rehiyon o mga probinsya na nagpapahiwatig na handa na silang tumanggap ng LSIs nila ay yun din ang una namin papauwiin,” he said.
(We will prioritize LSIs returning to regions or provinces that already expressed readiness to accept them.)
Among the LGUs that already expressed willingness to accept their returning LSI constituents are Negros Oriental, Dumaguete, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Jolo, Tawi-Tawi, Palawan and Romblon, Encabo said.
The Hatid Tulong program aims to provide either land, air or sea transportation to those who got stranded in various areas due to lockdown measures imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19.