HOME IN CARAGA. At least 817 locally stranded individuals arrived at the Nasipit Port in Agusan del Norte Sunday afternoon (July 12). Upon arrival in their respective provinces, the LSIs will undergo 14-day quarantine as part of the health protocol to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019. (Photo courtesy of Freida Judith Milan of PEZA)
BUTUAN CITY – A total of 817 locally stranded individuals (LSIs) from Caraga Region arrived on Sunday afternoon at the Nasipit Port in Agusan del Norte, said Freida Judith Milan, the OIC-Zone Manager of Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) in the area.
“Among those who arrived Sunday were the 21 construction workers from Bayugan City who were stranded during the lockdowns in Molino, Cavite,” Milan told the Philippine News Agency Monday (July 13), adding the LSIs were stranded following the imposition of lockdowns in different parts of Metro Manila and Luzon to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Milan said 281 LSIs who arrived Sunday via vessel MV St. Francis were the beneficiaries of PEZA's own effort to bring home stranded Caraganons.
She added that the LSIs were scheduled to go home last month but due to the temporary moratorium imposed by the government, their trips were canceled.
More than 200 of the LSIs are from the Agusan del Norte while the rest are from the different provinces in Caraga Region.
Milan assured the all the LSIs had undergone the necessary health protocols before they were allowed on board the vessel. They will also will undergo 14-day quarantine when they arrive in their respective provinces.
Of the 281 LSIs under the program of PEZA, 156 had undergone rapid antibody test with the help of the Philippine Army while the rest paid their own tests as a requirement set by authorities, she said.
PEZA Director General Charito B. Plaza said the 281 were part of the last batch of the LSIs who availed of aid and support from the agency.
“A total of 2,539 Caraganon LSIs were facilitated by PEZA and its locator-companies. They are now home in Caraga Region,” Plaza said in a statement posted in a Facebook post.
Plaza said 1,500 more stranded residents of Caraga are waiting for their turn to go home while PEZA is coordinating through the “Hatid Tulong” program of President Rodrigo R. Duterte for arrangements.
Plaza also expressed gratitude to all government agencies, officials and the private sector in Butuan City and Manila for their support to the LSIs while they were stranded in Manila and other parts of Luzon in the past three months and during their return for home. (PNA)
