Gov’t eyeing various jump-off points to avoid cramming of LSIs — Año

The government is eyeing to separate locally stranded individuals per region where they are headed to in order to avoid being crammed in one area, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Tuesday.

"Ang pinaplano naman ng Hatid Tulong program sa susunod ay ano na lang by region at iba't-ibang tinatawag na jumping off site para hindi sila mag-ipon ng ganito karami," Año said in a radio interview, citing what happened at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex where the number of LSIs spiked.

"'Yung mga susunod na ganitong programa, dapat iba-iba 'yung venue ng bawat regions para hindi magsisiksikan. Kung limang regions ang pupuntahan, limang sites ang ipre=prepare natin para hindi magkukumpol-kumpol," he added.

More or less 2,000 LSIs are still at the Rizal Memorial Stadium waiting for trips back to their home provinces, according to Año. He said the national government is eyeing to finish transporting these individuals by Thursday.

"Pero may mga naiwan pa rin doon at 'yun ay talagang hindi titigilan hanggang hindi maihatid ng ating Hatid Tulong program..." Año said.

"Ang naiwan dito sa sports complex ay papuntang Zamboanga, Butuan, iba't-ibang lugar ng Davao provinces kaya total niyan, counting namin ay 2,652 pero kagabi, madaling araw, may mga tuloy-tuloy na umaalis so more or less 2,000 na lang ang naiwan diyan. Ihahatid natin ito hanggang Huwebes ang pinaka-target natin..." he added.

Año said over 4,000 LSIs staying at the stadium have been transported to various provinces.

With the easing of quarantine restrictions, LSIs have been allowed to go back to some provinces with assistance from the government through the Hatid Tulong Program.

The LSIs will have to undergo rapid testing for COVID-19 before they are allowed to board buses for their home provinces. — RSJ, GMA News