50 LSIs return home to Basilan

Fifty locally stranded individuals (LSIs) were sent home to Basilan province on Wednesday, according to the Bangsamoro Government.

In a statement, the Bangsamoro Government said that the 50 LSIs tested negative for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in their swab tests. They also completed their 14-day quarantine in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

The 50 LSIs, who were sent home with the assistance of the Philippine Navy, are part of the first batch of 405 LSIs who will be sent off to Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

Meanwhile, the remaining LSIs who have completed their quarantine period will be sent off “at the soonest possible time."

The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has been giving the LSIs daily meals as well as drinking water.

The LSIs were also given psychosocial support and modified camp management at the isolation facilities in Maguindanao.

Interior and Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said that the Bangsamoro Government will continue to help the LSIs.

"It's important that we keep the spirit of looking after the welfare of each one," Sinarimbo said. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News