Gov’t agencies assist 4,574 Cordillera LSIs return home

Frontliners from LGU Kalinga readies to receive and process the LSIs brought homeby the Hatid Tulong Program of the Office of the President on July 27. (PAB/PIA CAR)

By Carlito C. Dar

BAGUIO CITY -- The Dept. of the Interior and Local Government said  4,574 stranded Cordillera folks were assisted by government agencies return home or go outside the region since the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

Of the registered LSIs, 2,649 were inbound, 821 outbound and 1,104 traveling within Cordillera.  

A total of 4,411 LSIs have gone back to their residences while 163 were on process.

Abra had the most locally stranded individuals (LSIs) with 1,388,  followed by Ifugao with 985, Baguio City, 682; Benguet, 549; Mountain Province, 536; Kalinga, 236 and Apayao, 198.

The Cordillera DILG that leads the Cordillera Regional Task Force COVID – 19 sub – task group for LSIs,   also reported 102 LSIs were assisted back to the region  under the hatid tulong program of the Office of the President.

They arrived in two batches last July 6 – 7 and July 26 – 28.

Kevin Brett of DILG – CAR said sending LSIs home will continue and that the government, including DILG, was thankful for help of agencies and local government units in assisting LSIs reach their respective provinces/residences.

              He cited DILG protocols for LGUs and LSIs on importance of implementing and abiding with health and safety protocols especially if the LSIs are coming from Covid hotspots. -- JDP/CCD-PIA CAR