The Hatid Tulong Initiative is set to have another wave of send-off for locally stranded individuals (LSIs) in Metro Manila back to their home provinces this weekend.
Hatid Tulong Lead Convenor and Presidential Management Staff Assistant Secretary Joseph Encabo on Tuesday said they are expecting to help more LSIs on July 25 and 26, especially in regions where there were imposed moratoriums during the first grand send-off.
“Ito po ay para sa mga LSIs na naiwan o hindi natin napagsilbihan noong nakaraang grand send-off, lalung-lalo na po sa mga kababayan nating stranded na papauwi sa Caraga Region, sa Region 6, at saka sa Region 8. So, sila po ngayon ang ating focus na LSIs na tutulungan [This is for the LSIs who were not included in the last grand send-off, especially those who wish to return to Caraga Region, Region 6 and Region 8. We will focus on these LSIs this time],” he said during the Network Briefing News with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar.
Encabo said there will also be a simultaneous send-off for LSIs bound for other regions in Mindanao, including the Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao, and Soccsksargen on July 25 and for North Luzon on July 26.
The venue of the second grand send-off will be at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
“Magkakaroon po tayo ng dalawang venues. Magkakatabi po ito para mas maayos, mas organized, at mas compartmentalized ang ating pag-asikaso sa mga rehiyon ng LSIs kung saan natin sila papauwiin (There will be two adjacent venues to ensure a more organized and compartmentalized processing),” he said.
According to Encabo, they were successful in sending home some 4,000 LSIs last July 4 and 5.
“Mas expected po natin na mas malaki ang grupo ngayong July 25 and 26 dahil naging successful po tayo nung nakaraang July 4 and 5. Sa ngayon po, nasa 3,000 plus na po ang confirmed LSIs na gustong magpahatid o ma-send off natin [We expect a bigger group this coming July 25 and 26 because we had a successful send-off last July 4 and 5. Currently, we already have more than 3,000 confirmed LSIs who want to be sent home],” he said.
The initiative’s secretariat is continuously providing advisories and more information for those who wish to join the program.
Hatid Tulong helps 126K LSIs, ROFs
Encabo said the Hatid Tulong initiative has already helped around 126,000 LSIs and returning overseas Filipino workers in response to the directive of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
He also said the assistance given to the LSIs and ROFs nationwide is supervised and monitored by the Hatid Tulong Technical Working Group.
“Simula na naging functional ang Hatid Tulong initiative, nasa 126,000 LSIs na po ang ating natulungan. Ito ay suportado ng iba’t ibang ahensya ng Philippine Coast Guard, ng AFP, ng DOTr, ng Philippine National Railways [Since the Hatid Tulong initiative became functional, we were able to help more than 126,000 LSIs. This is supported by various agencies including the Philippine Coast Guard, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Transportation, Philippine National Railways],” he said.
He clarified that the 126,000 LSIs are not only from Metro Manila but inter-provincial and inter-regional movements of LSIs.
Encabo also expressed his appreciation to the PCOO and attached agencies for informing the public about the initiative.
“Malaki pong tulong ang inyong programa sa paghahatid ng tamang impormasyon para sa LSIs natin (Your program helps a lot in the dissemination of right information for our LSIs),” he said. (PNA)
