Robredo says OVP has helped more than 700 locally stranded individuals go home this week

Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday said her office has assisted more than 700 locally stranded individuals (LSIs) in Metro Manila to go home to their provinces this week.

"Umabot muli sa higit 700 na locally stranded individuals (LSIs) ang ating natulungang makauwi ngayong linggo dahil sa patuloy na pakikipagtulungan ng ating Tanggapan sa iba't ibang lokal na pamahalaan," she said on Facebook.

Most of the LSIs they helped stayed for weeks in temporary shelters such as the Baclaran Church, Robredo said.

"Kabilang na rin sa daan-daang nabigyan natin ng assistance nitong mga nagdaang linggo ay ang mga kababayan nating nagbaka-sakaling makahanap ng paraang makauwi: iyong mga kilo-kilometro ang nilakad, mga wala nang mapagkunan ng pang-upa sa tinutuluyang lugar, at mga sabik nang makapiling ang kani-kanilang mga pamilyang inaalala sa gitna ng krisis na ito," she said.

On Friday, 146 LSIs were able to go home to their provinces onboard five buses from the Office of the Vice President.

These LSIs headed to Sorsogon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and Masbate.

Robredo said 584 LSIs on the other hand were able to go home to Albay the other day.

The vice president said each LSI had to present a medical certificate and authorization from the local government unit of their home province.

Everyone also had to undergo temperature checking prior to boarding the buses.

The LSIs were also given hot meals and other food, Robredo said.

The vice president thanked Baclaran Church and the local government units for their assistance to bring home the LSIs.

"Lubos tayong nagpapasalamat muli sa Redemptorist Church - National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help sa Baclaran, Parañaque at sa mga provincial governments ng Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes at Masbate sa kanilang walang sawang pakikipagtulungan sa ating Tanggapan," Robredo said.

Many individuals were stranded in Metro Manila when Luzon was placed under enhanced community quarantine in mid-March as part of measures to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. —KG, GMA News