WAIT IS OVER

Some locally stranded individuals wave as they leave Manila on July 5, 2020 after getting clearance to go back to their provinces.

of Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019),” Go said.

The senator called for proper coordination to ensure that local government units ( LGUs) are willing and ready to accept their constituents.

He previously asked InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to streamline the process of transporting LSIs with necessary health and safety protocols in place to put a stop to unauthorized travels and unsanctioned initiatives carried out by LGUs and private

groups, which do not comply with health protocols.

The first batch, composed of over 3,000 LSIs, left for Mindanao on July 4. The second batch is expected to travel on July 5.

Upon their arrival, they will undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine and rapid testing for Covid-19.

The Hatid Tulong Program is a joint initiative of the Office of the President, Covid-19 National Task Force and Department of Transportation, among other agencies.

As of July 2, 2020, it has provided assistance to a total of 62,762 overseas Filipino workers

and other stranded individuals — 18,320 of whom were transported by land, 24,523 via air transport and 19,919 via sea transport.

The program was launched in response to a directive by the President to help LSIs, overseas Filipino workers and other affected Filipinos who were stranded in Metro Manila because of quarantine measures.

Go also urged concerned agencies to adopt the systematic single dispatch system similar to the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag- asa program.