LSIs sleep outside North Harbor while waiting for trips back home

Several locally stranded individuals (LSIs) in Metro Manila have been sleeping outside the Manila North Harbor for days while waiting for a trip back to their respective provinces.

According to Bernadette Reyes’ report on “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday, aside from not having enough money to buy tickets, several LSIs have been struggling to return home after the government required them to undergo mandatory swab testing for COVID-19 before traveling.

Among the LSIs was 52-year-old Jose Laordin who has been sleeping on the sidewalk near the Manila North Harbor for six days while waiting for a trip back to Cebu.

“Hindi ko na alam kung anong gagawin (‘pag tumagal pa ‘to),” Laordin said.

He said he attempted to ask help from the Department of Social and Welfare and Development (DSWD) but the security guard told him the agency did not have enough resources.

“Hihingi sana ako ng tulong po kaso pinalabas ako ng gwardya. Eh ang sabi sa’kin wala raw silang budget na,” Laordin said.

Meanwhile, about five pregnant women were also among the LSIs waiting outside the Manila North Harbor.

Emelyn Monsalve, who is 6 months pregnant, said she lost her job at the bakery she was working at due to the pandemic and decided to go home to Butuan.

However, she cannot board the ship because she has not yet undergone swab testing.

“Wala kaming pagkain, wala na kaming pera, walang matulugan, sa lansangan na lang kami matutulog. Paano ‘yan buntis ako?” Monsalve said.

GMA News had sought comment from both the DSWD and the Manila North Harbor regarding the situation of the LSIs but neither had responded as of posting time.

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.

Among these local officials was Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez who claimed that the continued influx of LSIs had caused the spread of the disease in his previously COVID-free jurisdiction.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana also earlier confirmed the suspension of trips of LSIs to Regions VI and VIII for two weeks starting June 28 to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/DVM, GMA News