3,787 stranded Cordillerans brought in, out of provinces

BAGUIO CITY -- The Dept. of Interior and Local Government- Cordillera  reported  3,787 stranded folks were  assisted going in and out of the region since June 7.

Public transportation remains  a concern during community quarantine and national and regional government agencies in partnership with local government units are reportedly bringing home  locally stranded individuals  and returning overseas Filipinos.

For the first week of July, more than 100 LSIs in the region were assisted including 47 under the  “Hatid Tulong” program by the Office of the President.

DILG data showed the province of Abra had the most number of LSIs of 1,314 followed by Ifugao with 828, Mountain Province , 525; Baguio City, 405; Benguet, 370; Kalinga, 215 and Apayao, 130.

Meanwhile, the The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Cordillera Regional Welfare Office reported that from May 1 to July 6, a total 1 of 330 OFWs were provided mobilization and transportation assistance and now back hime in Cordillera.

The number included 1,004 provided  buses under the Uwian na Program of OWWA Central Office, in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard.

OWWA – CAR data showedt Baguio City had the most OFWs assisted with 600, followed by Benguet with 312;l Abra, 168; Ifugao, 79; Kalinga, 77; Apayao, 45 and Mountain Province, 45.

The Regional Task Force COVID – 19 headed by Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chairperson and Civil Defense Regional Director Albert Mogol created a task force unit for the management of LSIs and ROF under DILG  regional director Marlo Iringan and OWWA head Manuela Peña.

Mogol directed CRDRRMC member agencies to enhance services that can help the LSIs and ROFs, especially in giving thbem employment and livelihood opportunities. -- PIA