By Joseph B.A. Marzan
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. on Thursday clarified that the province will continue to receive Locally-Stranded Individuals (LSI) despite the travel ban imposed by the national Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The IATF on Sept. 7, 2020 issued Resolution No. 69, which suspended air and sea travel of LSIs returning to Western Visayas.
But the Office of Civil Defense-6 (OCD-6) on Tuesday clarified that this was only applicable to Capiz province and Bacolod City.
In a press conference, Defensor said that he did not request for a moratorium on LSI repatriations, and will continue to receive LSIs regularly.
He added that they will meet with the IATF to further clarify Resolution No. 69.
The governor’s Executive Order No. 183, issued on Aug. 17, 2020, provides the procedure for repatriations to the province of both LSIs and Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROF).
Under Section 7 of the EO, the province will only receive a total of 550 LSIs and ROFs, which are composed of 250 via sea travel and 300 via air travel.
The 250 passengers are also limited by point of origin, with 150 coming from Manila, 50 from Cebu, and 50 from Cagayan De Oro City.
As to air travel, airlines travelling to Iloilo can only carry up to a maximum of 75 passengers per flight.
“Our [position] on LSI [repatriations] remains the same. It didn’t stop because we didn’t ask for a moratorium, but the other day, the [moratorium] arrived. It is being clarified now and the IATF in Manila is asking for a meeting with them [to clarify]. We are continuously monitoring the numbers. The requirements are the same, in line with the national government. The only thing we receive is the manifests, which we request from the shipping and airline companies, at least 24 hours before and we advise the municipalities that these are who will be coming to them,” he said.
The governor also maintained his position that LSIs should be tested at the point of origin before they return to Iloilo.
Section 5.2 of EO No. 183 requires LSIs and ROFs to undergo testing via Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) at least 3 days before departure.
This was, however, superseded on Aug. 25 by an advisory by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) enjoining local government units to ditch the pre-departure testing requirements.
He said that he understood that it was difficult for LSIs because there was no dedicated agency catering to them, but this was only his position and that they will still follow the DILG’s advisory.
ROF repatriations are handled by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
“In Manila, our [EO] requires the RT-PCR but it would be difficult [for LSIs]. Unlike our ROFs who are under the auspices of the OWWA, the LSIs aren’t, that’s why it would be difficult for them to comply with the [EO]. But it would’ve been better if there was [RT-PCR] testing [pre-departure], because they would board without knowing [who was positive], so you cannot avoid transmission. It would’ve been better for the safety of everybody if that was the rule,” the governor said.
On the other hand, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said he has no issues on the repatriations of LSIs amid the moratorium.
Treñas said he will write the IATF “to inform them I have no issue on returning LSIs.”
“We want them reunited with their families at the earliest possible time. They only have to follow our protocols.”
As to the returning overseas Filipino workers, the mayor said he consulted other local chief executives in the region regarding the protocols they should follow.
“Together with the City Mayors, Governors in Panay and Negros and the Iloilo City COVID Team, we had a Zoom meeting to discuss about the protocols of the returning OFWs and LSIs. We have discussed our proposed protocols that can also be adapted by other LGUs and also shared inputs regarding this matter to revamp our guidelines.”
