Lorenzana: LSIs’ trips back home to Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Region 8 suspended for 2 weeks

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed the suspension of the trips of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) to Regions VI and VIII for two weeks starting Sunday, June 28, to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

"Yes, I approve a suspension of LSI repatriation to Regions 6 and 8 for two weeks starting today," Lorenzana told reporters.

"Negros Occidental and Iloilo plus Region 8. Bacolod and Iloilo being the main ports and seaports that receive these LSIs. For Region 8, the whole region because apart from air and water transport it also gets LSIs by land transport," he said.

“We have to do this because the LSIs are the ones bringing the virus to the provinces. The data from Bacolod and Iloilo City bear this out. The LGUs asked for the suspension. We will have to come up with a better procedure to prevent this from happening,” the Defense secretary added.

Lorenzana said the LSIs will have to wait “where they are” for now.

He also urged the LSIs not to proceed to the airports and seaports.

“We have to get the (local government units) to agree to receive them. Their problem is that their quarantine facilities are limited and they don’t want to be overwhelmed,” Lorenzana said.

Earlier, Malacañang said the government suspended the trips for LSIs to address concerns of local officials about the spread of COVID-19 in the provinces.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque issued the statement after Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez claimed that the continued influx of LSIs caused the spread of the disease in erstwhile COVID-free areas. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/KG, GMA News