Over 180 LSIs in Manila North Harbor stay temporarily at PPA multi-purpose hall

More than 180 locally stranded individuals (LSIs) have been staying at the multi-purpose hall of the Philippine Ports Authority since Tuesday as they wait out the two-week period before their boat trips to Regions VI and VIII resume.

The LSIs previously camped out outside Manila North Harbor under the heat of the sun for days after their scheduled boat trips to their home provinces were canceled.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday ordered the suspension of trips of LSIs to Negros Occidental and Iloilo in Region VI and Region VIII for two weeks starting June 28 to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.  

A total of 187 LSIs were brought to the multi-purpose hall of PPA, according to a report by Jonathan Andal on GMA News' Unang Balita on Wednesday.

The LSIs are given free food, face masks and vitamins. There are also restrooms and electric fans in the premises.

The free food items are from the PPA, Philippine Coast Guard, and Office of the President.

"Okay na dito, sir. Maluwag-luwag. Hindi na mainit. 'Di na kami maulanan," said Joel Pija, one of the LSIs.

Another LSI, Amelia Banate, could not help but express frustration at not being able to go home to Iloilo. She said no one is taking care of her adult child who had a stroke last May.

Some of the LSIs said they already have rebooked tickets for July 12 trips, exactly 14 days after the trips to Regions VI and VIII were canceled.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases suspended the travel of LSIs to Western Visayas, Cebu Island including Mactan, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga region.

“Hindi po nationwide. Ito na po ang mga lugar na mayroong moratorium lamang,” Roque said in a televised briefing after some local officials claimed that the continued influx of LSIs caused the spread of COVID-19 in the provinces.

Joint Task Force COVID Shield Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar said the suspension on travels of LSIs to Western Visayas will last two weeks.

“The issuance of the travel authority for all travels of LSIs to Western Visayas is suspended for two weeks as per instruction from the NTF COVID-19. We will wait for further notice as to when the repatriation of LSIs to this region would resume,” Eleazar said in a statement. —KG, GMA News