Follow LSI safety protocols, Go urges

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Tuesday reiterated the need to follow proper health and safety protocols in government’s transportation assistance to locally stranded individuals (LSI).

In a statement, Go explained anew that LSI should be assisted by the government as they have the right to return to their home provinces but beneficiaries should still follow the government’s protocols to prevent further transmission of coronavirus.

“I want to remind everyone that we cannot deprive the Filipinos of their right to return to their homes. Let us just do this in a safe and proper way. Always follow health and safety protocols, and ensure that their communities are protected,” he said.

Recently, Go and his office extended assistance to at least 1,000 LSI bound for Albay.

His office provided test kits and food packs for the LSI. His office also coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development to provide cash assistance to the stranded passengers.

LSI who were cleared from the virus were brought home by the Albay provincial government last 10 and 11 July.

Let us just do this in a safe and proper way. Always follow health and safety protocols, and ensure that their communities are protected.

Another batch of LSI bound for Bohol also received the same assistance from Go’s office.

The chair of the Senate Health and Demography Committee also asked the related government agencies to ensure proper conduct of tests and compel all Hatid Tulong initiative beneficiaries to undergo 14-day mandatory quarantine.

The lawmaker also urged the government to provide an efficient system for air, sea and land travels to avoid overcrowding which might trigger the transmission of the virus.

Go has been reminding the authorities to consider the welfare of LSI and the repatriated OFW as many of them were jobless and homeless due to the pandemic.

The Balik Probinsya, Balik Pag-Asa (BP2) program, on the other hand, remained suspended to pave the way for the Hatid Tulong Initiative.

The Hatid Tulong is the government’s short-term assistance program intended to help stranded Filipinos during the lockdown to return to their provinces.

Meanwhile, BP2 seeks to decongest the National capital Region by encouraging residents and businesses to invest and relocate to other regions outside Metro Manila.