Moratorium on travel home to parts of Visayas frustrates LSIs at Manila pier

Several locally stranded individuals (LSIs) waiting for trips home at the Manila North Harbor expressed dismay at the government’s two-week moratorium on trips back to some parts of Visayas.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras,” over 100 LSIs who thought they would be able to board boats back home on Monday are stuck at the pier.

The stranded LSIs were headed for Bacolod and Iloilo.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier confirmed the suspension of LSIs’ travel to Regions 6 and 8. 

“We have to do this because the LSIs are the ones bringing the virus to the provinces. The data from Bacolod and Iloilo City bear this out. The LGUs asked for the suspension. We will have to come up with a better procedure to prevent this from happening,” he said.

Ellana Torendon said her flight back home had already been canceled twice so she decided to try her luck at the Manila North Harbor.

“Napakasakit po kasi parang nawawalan ka na ng pag-asa. Sa totoo lang po, hindi po kami mamamatay sa COVID. Mamamatay po kami sa gutom, sa depresyon, at sa konsumisyon dito,” she said.

“Ang hirap kasi ng buhay dito e, hindi basta basta. Tingnan niyo, nasa ilalim kami ng mainit na araw, naghihintay sa wala,” her relative Elyana Torendon added.

Ruby Valence, her kids, and her parents were also at the pier early Monday morning in order not to miss their trip at 1 p.m.

“‘Di pa kami nag-almusal para lang maaga kaming umalis kasi para makahabol kami tapos wala,” she said.

With nowhere to go, the LSIs used their blankets and random items to create shade from the heat.

“Kaya po ako umiiyak kasi sabi ko, ‘Paano po kami? Paano po mangyayari sa’min? Ano pong mangyayari sitwasyon namin dito kung hindi po kami papayagang umuwi?’” Jane Canceran said.

Many LSIs said they could no longer return to the places they had been staying at in Metro Manila because they have been unable to pay rent for months now amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“Wala naman kaming uwian kasi wala kaming bahay doon. Wala kaming pambayad,” Felomina Valence said.

The Manila City government, some government agencies, as well as private individuals have been providing the LSIs with food.

Tents have also been set up inside the Manila North Harbor to temporarily accommodate the LSIs. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News