Some 42 locally stranded individuals (LSIs), who were temporarily sheltered at the RASAC Covered Court in Sta. Cruz district have successfully returned to their respective provinces through the national government’s “Hatid Tulong” program, the Manila City Government said on Monday.
In a statement, the city government said it was made possible with help from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine National Red Cross and other agencies.
Each beneficiary was able to get P2,000 cash assistance from DSWD, while the Philippine National Red Cross facilitated their COVID-19 testing.
The Philippine Coast Guard then provided transport service from Manila to the following provinces:
Zamboanga – 12 individuals; Basilan – 24 individuals; Davao – 2 individuals; Cotabato -2 individuals; Maguindanao -1 individual; Leyte – 1 individual.
Meanwhile, Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) Director Re Fugoso expressed her gratitude towards the aforementioned agencies.
“The entire MDSW thanks the national government for helping out LSIs here in Manila. This program will also help us decongest our rescue facilities and make them safer places to stay for the rest of our homeless and street dwellers,” said the MDSW Director.
In other developments in Manila:
• Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Monday ordered the city engineering, social welfare and disaster risk reduction and management offices to be put on high alert as Typhoon Quinta brought moderate to heavy rains over the nation’s capital.
Domagoso ordered the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) and the Department of Public Services (DPS) to immediately declog sewers and clear garbage, particularly those in flood-prone areas.
The mayor said this will prevent possible flooding not only in major thoroughfares but also along inner roads in residential areas.
* Classes from kinder, high school and colleges in all Manila City public and private schools were suspended on Monday due to heavy rains and gusty winds caused by Typhoon Quinta that may lead to power interruption and internet connectivity problems.
“Classes from Kinder to Senior High School in all Manila City public and private elementary and secondary schools are hereby suspended in the City of Manila on Monday, October 26, 2020,” said the city government in an advisory.
“The Manila City government has also suspended college classes and graduate school classes in all public and private schools on Monday, October 26, 2020,” it also said in a separate advisory.