BRINGING the locally stranded individuals (LSIs) back to their home provinces does not end there, the Senate Health committee chief said at the weekend as he renewed call for strict implementation of health protocols in the return of LSIs to their provinces.
While stressing the need for such stringent health protocols, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go reiterated also the need to assist them.
“We will start with addressing the health needs of every Filipino. That is the most important thing. But we cannot keep postponing the return of the LSIs to their home provinces,” Go said in an ambush interview after visiting the wake of soldiers shot dead by police in Jolo, Sulu recently.
“Sometimes it’s the media who approach me to suggest that I help certain LSIs, so I can’t help it. Besides, President Duterte himself has given instructions not to neglect the LSIs; they must be fed and taken care of until their return to the provinces,” he added, in a mix of English and Filipino.
Go also recalled the requests of some LSIs to the government to help them go back to their home provinces. “Some of them are really begging us. They don’t mind not getting financial assistance as long as they can return home and be with their families. They need their parents, children, siblings around them.”
In Manila, he noted, the LSIs do not even have access to clean toilets, have no clean or safe spaces to sleep on. He recalled that these were people who had ventured to Manila in search of jobs, but were stranded by the lockdown. “Many of them are in pitiful conditions,” the senator said.
That said, Go stressed that health protocols must be put in place in transporting LSIs to ensure that they are in good health when they arrive in their respective provinces. “We will prioritize the health of every Filipino. Who wants to get sick and infect others?”
The health protocols must be strictly followed before the LSIs embark on their journey to the provinces. “Let’s help them come home, but they must also follow the health protocols, and the rules of the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases),” Go said.
Hatid Tulong
Since the Hatid Tulong project is a directive from the President, Go reiterated that it is important to ensure that proper health and safety protocols are in place in order to avoid the spread of Covid-19. Proper coordination must also be conducted to make sure that receiving LGUs are willing and ready to accept their constituents.
Earlier, Go visited some LSIs temporarily being accommodated near the Libingan ng mga Bayani to check on their situation. His office had assisted other LSIs.
He clarified that the Hatid Tulong initiative of the government is different from the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) program, which he said will resume once the current pandemic has been contained.
He said he was pushing for measures to incentivize businessmen to invest and provide jobs to the returnees.
Go has steadfastly clarified confusion on the difference between the Hatid Tulong initiative and the BP2 program.
“For the ‘Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa’ program, President Duterte . . . signed the Executive Order creating a council composed of more than 17 departments. It has a short-term and long-term (plan). Under the short-term, they will be assisted in going back to the provinces. They will be provided with livelihood and jobs,” Go said.
“Under the long-term, plans will be made for the provinces, wherein businesses that will invest there will be granted incentives. This is to ensure that returnees will have jobs once they are already in the provinces. This is under the ‘Balik Probinsya’ program.
In contrast, he said, Hatid Tulong initiatives are for the repatriated OFWs, LSIs and other Filipinos affected by the community quarantine measures who need help to return to their provinces.
Image credits: AP/Bullit Marquez