More than 100 LSIs spend night at Quirino Grandstand

At least 100 locally stranded individuals (LSIs) spent the night at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park in Manila, according to a report by Jonathan Andal on GMA News' Unang Balita on Monday.

Some of them missed the bus trips provided by the government under its Hatid Tulong Program over the weekend.

Higit 100 locally stranded inidvidual, nagpalipas ng gabi sa Quirino Grandstand. Ang ilan sa kanila, naiwan daw ng bus kahapon sa Hatid Tulong program ng gobyerno. | via @JonathanAndal_ pic.twitter.com/nJ0QYESZrg

— GMA News Breaking (@gmanewsbreaking) July 5, 2020

Others like a man named Rey headed to the venue even if no trips to his hometown in Samar have been allowed yet. 

"Wala pa hong sinabi kung kailan 'yung biyahe... Mag-antay po sa desisyon sa programa kung ano nila sa biyahe," said Rey, who has been staying at the Quirino Grandstand for the past three days.

Some of those in the area missed boat trips at nearby Manila North Harbor Pier.

The Philippine Coast Guard said the LSIs will be brought today to the Philippine Army headquarters.

Ayon sa mga LSI, ililipat sila ngayong araw sa Phil Army Headquarters sa Taguig. Hindi pa raw sila sigurado kung kailan makakabiyahe| via @JonathanAndal_ pic.twitter.com/CjUQa53E6C

— GMA News Breaking (@gmanewsbreaking) July 5, 2020

During the past weekend, more than 3,000 LSIs were ferried to their home provinces in Luzon and Mindanao aboard buses contracted by the government under the Hatid Tulong Program.

Meanwhile, trips to Visayas, especially the eastern and western regions as well as Cebu Province, were temporarily put on hold after the number of COVID-19 cases increased in these areas.

Before they were allowed to board the buses, LSIs had to register, undergo rapid testing for COVID-19, and secure a travel authority on site from the Philippine National Police. The Department of Social Welfare and Development also gave them assistance.

Many individuals were stranded in Metro Manila after quarantine measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission included the suspension of travel.

Meanwhile, on Monday, a special flight will bring 20 LSIs from Metro Manila to Batanes.

The government said it is also preparing trips to Caraga either on July 12 or 17 for some 1,200 LSIs. —KG, GMA News