Lorenzana says repatriation of LSIs suspended in Western, Eastern Visayas for 2 weeks

June 28, 2020

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday confirmed that he approved the suspension of repatriation of the local stranded individuals (LSIs) in Region VI or Western Visayas and Region VIII or Eastern Visayas for two weeks.

In an interview with reporters, Lorenzana said the the decision was made because some of the LSIs were carriers of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the provinces.

He said the local government units requested for the temporary suspension.

“I approved the suspension of LSI repatriation to Regions VI and VIII for two weeks starting today. We have to do this because the LSIs are the ones bringing the virus to the provinces. The data from Bacolod and Iloilo City bear this out,” said Lorenzana, who is the National Task Force Against COVID-19 chair.

“The LGUs asked for the suspension. We will have to come up with a better procedure to prevent this from happening,” he added.

The secretary said in Region VI, there were reported cases of COVID-19 in Negros Occidental and Iloilo as main ports and seaports where the LSIs disembarked are located here.

Lorenzana said the LSIs who are bound for the said regions will have to wait in Metro Manila for 14 days but he reminded them not to go to the airport and seaport.

“They have to wait where they are. They should not go to the airport or seaport. We have to get the LGUs to agree to receive them. Their problem is that their quarantine facilities are limited and they don’t want to be overwhelmed,” he said.

Last week, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the suspension was made to give more time for the LGUs to establish their own isolation facilities. Ella Dionisio/DMS