More LSIs return to provinces via 'Hatid Tulong'

THE BENEFICIARIES  of the latest batch of the government's "Hatid Tulong" program have already reached their destinations while others are arriving soon, an official said Monday.   

"May mga batch na po tayong nakarating sa kanilang mga probinsya at ang Region 11 (Davao) po ay malapit nang makarating sa kanilang mga drop off points (We have batches who already reached their home provinces, while the Region 11 batch is close to its drop off points)," Presidential Management Staff Assistant Secretary Joseph Encabo said in an interview at the Laging Handa network briefing aired over state-run PTV4.

He said they are now coordinating with local government units to fetch the locally stranded individuals (LSIs) arriving in their areas.

“Ang byaheng Zamboanga ay nasa unang drop off point na rin. Ang mga LGUs ay kaniya-kaniya na pong sundo sa pier at patuloy ang pakikipag-ugnayan natin sa mga LGUs para masundo ang mga LSIs papunta sa kanilang mga sariling probinsya at hometowns (Those going to Zamboanga are now at their first drop-off point. The LGUs are picking them up at the pier, and we are in continuous communication with the LGUs to fetch their LSIs),” he said.

Encabo said once the Caraga Region lifts its moratorium on LSIs, they will immediately dispatch around 1,200 LSIs bound to the area.

“Magiging priority ang ating mga kababayan na taga Caraga. Merong mga initial feelers ngayon o feedback na baka ma-lift na ang moratorium ng Caraga sa lalong madaling panahon at kung ang Caraga ay mauuna sa pag-lift ng moratorium ay agad agad kaming mag-schedule ng kanilang byahe upang yung 1,200 LSIs na pauwi ng Caraga ay ma-accommodate agad natin in two to three batches (We will prioritize those going to Caraga. We have received words that Caraga will soon lift the moratorium. If that happens, we will immediately schedule a trip to bring home about 1,200 LSIs going to Caraga and we will accommodate them in two to three batches)”.

Meanwhile, Encabo reminds the LSIs who wish to avail of the Hatid Tulong program to keep in touch with the concerned government agencies and have their names listed so that this will be submitted to the program's technical working group.

“Para maumpisahan na sila sa enrollment at sa assessment para mapabilang na sila sa mga batches na pwede nating ipabyahe kaagad sa lalong madaling panahon (So they may be enrolled and assessed and be included in the next batches)”.

He also reminded LSIs to avoid going out and observe home quarantine and observe safe physical distancing. (By Marita Moaje)