DILG to LGUs: Accept returning stranded individuals

Despite fears that they may be carriers of the coronavirus, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) told local government units (LGUs) to accept returning locally stranded individuals (LSIs) when the government transports them back to their provinces this weekend.

Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya on Friday said the government would ferry back 4,000 LSIs to their respective provinces this July 4 and 5 under the government’s Hatid Tulong Program.

“The DILG is urging all local government units and we are reiterating the call of our President that these locally stranded individuals have the right to go home,” Malaya said during the Laging Handa briefing.

The official allayed fears of LGUs and said returning residents have medical certificates, a travel authority and have undergone rapid testing.

He urged LGUs to cooperate with the DILG and assured local officials that the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group would escort the LSIs to their destination to ensure their safety.

He said LGUs could impose their own health protocols upon the arrival of the LSIs, but asked local officials to accept their returning residents.

The “big time” send-off for LSIs, however, would not include residents from the Visayas for now as the National Task Force against COVID-19 has barred the entry of stranded individuals due to rising COVID-19 cases in the region.