Over 400 LSIs still outside Libingan ng mga Bayani —official

More than 400 people hoping to return to their provinces are still stranded outside the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City, an official said Friday.

Assistant Secretary Joseph Encabo, lead convenor of the government's Hatid Tulong program, said authorities are looking for temporary shelters for the 430 locally stranded individuals (LSI) camped outside the cemetery.

It was earlier reported that some of those stranded had lost their jobs during the pandemic and wanted help from the government, while some already had tickets to flights that have since been cancelled.

Encabo said the Hatid Tulong program is coordinating with government agencies and local governments to find a place for the LSIs for the time being.

"Within this week po malalaman din natin kung ano 'yung mga sagot nila, at talagang bibigyan po natin ng priority itong mga taong nasa labas ng Libingan ng mga Bayani," he said at the Laging Handa briefing.

He urged LSIs to first coordinate with their LGUs and to only go to the sendoff areas when they are already scheduled for a trip home.

Encabo said the following areas are now receiving their returning constituents: Negros Oriental, Dumaguete City, Caraga region, Cotabato province, some provinces in Region 12, Jolo, Tawi-Tawi, Pawalan, Bicol region except Masbate, and Romblon.
—KBK, GMA News