STRANDED NO MORE. One hundred ninety-seven returning residents of North Cotabato were welcomed by the provincial "Task Force Sagip" as they arrive at the Davao International Airport in Davao City on Monday (June 15, 2020). The stranded Cotabateños underwent proper health protocols (inset) prior to returning home. (Photo courtesy of North Cotabato PIO)
COTABATO CITY – Almost 200 locally stranded individuals (LSIs) have returned to North Cotabato on Monday.
“This was the biggest number of LSIs to arrive in a day in the province under the program,” North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco said over a local radio station Tuesday.
Catamco said the “rescued” Cotabateños, through the “Task Force Sagip Stranded North Cotabateños” program, were on board three sweeper flights from Manila and the Visayas.
The 157 LSIs, who arrived via an Air Asia flight, were picked up at the Bangoy International Airport in Davao City. The rest took Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines flights.
They were welcomed by North Cotabato Board Members Philbert Malaluan, emergency operations manager, and Board Member Krista Piñol-Solis at the Davao airport.
The Cotabateños were emotional as they were welcomed by the provincial officials.
“We have waited for this for so long, we were stranded for more than two months,” one of the passengers said.
The stranded persons were composed of students, laid-off workers, local tourists, and businessmen.
Upon arrival, they were provided with food and briefed on the protocols before boarding the commuter vans that brought them to the North Cotabato provincial capitol grounds.
Later, they were all subjected to rapid testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) before they were turned over to their host local government units (LGUs).
Catamco said the LGUs have assigned personnel to monitor the health condition of the returning Cotabateños during the 14-day mandatory quarantine.
“We need your utmost cooperation in the health protocols, please cooperate, this is for your own good and your families,” Catamco said.
Accompanying Malaluan and Piñol were members of Task Force Sagip composed of soldiers, police, fire officers, and other front-liners. (PNA)
