MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday started distributing cash aid of PHP5,000 per family to unvaccinated travelers stranded at the Manila North Port Terminal since January 17.
The DSWD said it is also giving out family food packs and personal and hygiene kits to 99 stranded Badjaos.
"The stranded Badjaos were supposedly returning to their home provinces, but since majority of them are unvaccinated and have lapsed RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) test results, they were not allowed to travel for health and safety reasons," it said.
The city government of Manila provided initial assistance to the stranded indigenous peoples’ group by distributing hot meals, as well as the facilitation of their vaccination.
The DSWD said it coordinated with the local government whether their food rations for the stranded individuals could continue until they leave for their hometowns.
The Badjaos are currently provided with a space in the waiting area/parking area inside the premises of Pier 4 in Manila.
Some tents were also installed as temporary shelter for them, the DSWD said.
Private group 2Go Travel will facilitate the rebooking of the stranded Badjaos.
They were also profiled to determine other interventions they need, the DSWD added. (PNA)
