PR
MANILA – Transport of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) in Metro Manila back to their provinces in Visayas and Mindanao will push forward on August 20, ‘Hatid Tulong’ program Lead Convener and Presidential Management Staff Assistant Secretary Joseph Encabo announced on Tuesday.
In an interview, Asec. Encabo said that they have already coordinated with local government units in regions of Eastern Visayas, Davao, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for the “pocket” send-off.
“Handang-handa na po kami sa aming pagbibigay tulong sa ating mga LSIs at ang ating mga kaakibat na ahensya ay handa na rin po sa pagbibigay ng mga iba’t ibang ayuda [We are ready in helping our LSIs and our partner agencies are ready to provide assistance as well],” he said during Network Briefing News with host Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar.
Asec. Encabo noted partner agencies include the Office of the President, office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
He also bared that they have complied with the quota requirement for LSIs provided by the receiving LGUs. The ‘Hatid Tulong’ program will be assisting around 350 to 400 LSIs on Thursday.
“Ineexpect po namin na hindi kami magkakaroon ng problema sa social distancing dahil ayon po sa aming napagkasunduan ng mga iba’t ibang LGUs na tatanggap ay mayroon po kaming tinatawag na quota or limitasyon sa mga LSIs na aming bibigyang tulong sa kanilang pag-uwi [We expect that we will not have any problem observing social distancing since we have agreed with the receiving LGUs to have quotas to limit the number of LSIs that would be transported],” he said.
On the same program, Sta. Maria Mayor Brigido Camarillo Jr. has sought the assistance of the national government to look into the status and progress of their bridge and flood mitigation projects.
Sta. Maria is a third-class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur.
“Ang bayan po ng Sta. Maria ay flood-prone po kaya nananawagan po sana ako sa national government na pakitingnan po ang mga flood-control project natin dito [The town of Sta. Maria is flood-prone. That is why we are asking the national government to look into our flood-control projects here],” he said.
Mayor Camarillo also discussed the ongoing feasibility study undertaken for the construction of the Cabaruan Bridge funded by the Philippine Rural Development Project under the Department of Agriculture (DA). The construction will be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
He said that these projects will be helpful to the residents especially during the rainy season.
Sec. Andanar has offered to help endorse the projects to the DPWH.
