LSIs camp outside Libingan ng mga Bayani

At least 50 locally stranded individuals are staying in makeshift tents outside Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City hoping to avail government’s assistance to return to their respective provinces, GMA’s Unang Balita reported Monday.

GMA reporter Darlene Cay said some of the LSIs lost jobs due to the quarantine protocols amid COVID-19 pandemic and wanted to seek help to return to their province while others already have tickets but their flights were cancelled.

The LSIs lamented their situation fearing they could get sick as they were just sleeping on scrap carton and crammed on tarpaulin to protect them from sun and rain. They added physical distancing was no longer observed, the report said.

They said the Philippine Army sometimes give them food rations.

The report said a member of the Army told to the LSIs Monday morning that the process for the Hatid Tulong program may resume in a few days. The LSIs have to undergo a COVID-19 test before they will be allowed to return to their province.

Hatid Tulong Program resumed on August 20 and implemented a “pocket send-off” approach for the next batches of LSIs to avoid overcrowding.

Program lead convenor Assistant Secretary Joseph Encabo earlier said walk-ins cannot be immediately accommodated since a process must be observed.

LSIs were advised to text their name, complete address in the province, and contact number to 09973925148 or 09052562907 for OFWs, 09518914835 for students, 09452905848 for tourists, and 09666122654 or 09496145288 for workers.—AOL, GMA News