Robredo calls for thorough study on suspension of LSIs' trips to provinces

Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday called for a thorough study on the suspension of trips of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) to their respective provinces.

“Sana pag-aralan ng maayos,” she said in her radio program.

Robredo cited an incident in Naga City where two returning residents with COVID-19, who traveled on a private vehicle without coordination, have transmitted coronavirus to relatives  living in the city.

“Kausap ko 'yung city officials kahapon, ang sabi nila mabuti pa ‘yung maramihan na dumadating na nakikipag-coordinate sa kanila kasi ‘yug protocols na nasusunod,” it added.

“Ang problema sa private na sasakyan kahit may protocols ang LGUs, wala silang way of monitoring kung hindi sa kanila magre-register na dumating,” she added.

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

“We have to do this because the LSIs are the ones bringing the virus to the provinces…The LGUs asked for the suspension. We will have to come up with a better procedure to prevent this from happening,” he added.

Malacañang had said that 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 influx of LSIs caused the spread of the disease in areas earlier declared as COVID-free. —LBG, GMA News