Second-wave LSI Mindanao bound
More LSI or locally stranded individuals in Metro Manila are to be sent home to their provinces via another wave of send-offs this weekend under the Hatid-Tulong initiative.
Hatid Tulong lead convenor and Presidential Management Staff Assistant Secretary Joseph Encabo said they expect to help more LSI go home this upcoming weekend, particularly in regions where there were moratoriums imposed during the first grand send-off.
We will focus on those LSI this time.
"This is for the LSI who were not included in the last grand send-off, especially those who wish to return to the Caraga Region, Region 6 and Region 8," Encabo said at the briefing hosted by Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar.
"We will focus on those LSI this time," Encabo said.
We expect a bigger group this coming 25 and 26 July because we had a successful send-off last 4 and 5 July.
He said there would also be a simultaneous send-off for LSI bound for other regions in Mindanao, including Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao, and Soccsksargen on 25 July and for North Luzon on 26 July.
The venue of the second grand send-off will be at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
"There will be two adjacent venues to ensure a more organized and compartmentalized processing," Encabo said, adding they succeeded in sending home some 4,000 LSI last 4 to 5 July.
"We expect a bigger group this coming 25 and 26 July because we had a successful send-off last 4 and 5 July. Currently, we already have more than 3,000 confirmed LSI who want to be sent home."
Encabo said the Hatid-Tulong initiative has already helped 126,000 LSI and returning overseas Filipino (ROF) workers in response to the directive of President Duterte.
He also said the assistance given to the
LSI and ROF nationwide is supervised and monitored by the Hatid-Tulong technical working group.
"Since the Hatid Tulong initiative became functional, we were able to help more than 126,000 LSI. This is supported by various agencies including the Philippine Coast Guard, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Department of Transportation and the Philippine National Railways,” he said.