LSI repatriations suspended to stop rise of COVID cases

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the two-week suspension of the return of Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) to Regions 6 and 7 will stop the rise of COVID-19 cases in these areas.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, chairman of the National Action Plan on COVID-19, ordered the suspension effective June 29, 2020.

Lacson earlier requested the interagency task force to suspend the return of LSIs to the province, saying that this will allow the provincial government to prepare its quarantine facilities.

In approving the request, Lorenzana said that the quarantine facilities of local government units have been overwhelmed by returning LSIs.

He also advised LSIs “to wait where they are.”

Lacson said that “While I am sad that they can’t be with their families, it is necessary to ensure that the cases will not rise anymore.”

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia also welcomed the two-week moratorium on LSI arrivals.

Leonardia said it will enable them to clear up the quarantine facilities for the arrival of more LSIs.

Leonardia said that 75 percent of COVID 19 positive cases in Bacolod City are LSIs and Overseas Filipino Workers.

As of this writing, Negros Occidental has 78 COVID 19 positive cases, while Bacolod City has 41.

Lacson said they have to disinfect the quarantine facilities in preparation for the next batch of LSIs after the moratorium.

Lacson last week ordered the suspension of the province of LSIs coming from Cebu.

He said the province will receive LSIs depending on the availability of quarantine facilities.