Stranded workers’ fate in guv’s hands – mayor

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The fate of three construction workers who are stranded for almost a week now at the border of Capiz and Iloilo provinces is in the hands of Capiz Gov Esteban Evan Contreras.

The workers are stranded at Barangay Aglalana, Dumarao because of the community quarantine against the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Mayor Edgardo Arancillo of Dumarao said he cannot allow workers Isidro Amaba, Arnolfo Crespo, and Carlito Ebron, all residents of Balucuan, Sigma, to enter the border considering that it was the governor that issued an executive order that imposed the checkpoint.

Arancillo said he cannot place the three workers in a quarantine facility in Dumarao because others might follow suit.

The situation of the three construction workers reached the mayor’s office who immediately gave relief assistance.

The three construction workers came from Iloilo but were not allowed to pass through Dumarao because of the lockdown.

The workers are sleeping in a tent made of tarpaulin and sacks. They also complained of having no food and money to sustain their daily needs.

The provincial government of Capiz through the governor visited the workers and gave the relief packs.

Officials of Sigma towns also extended help.