ILOILO – Allowing the return of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) without first ascertaining if they have coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is dangerous, according to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. But since this is now the policy, as ordered by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), he would comply, said the governor.
The provincial government won’t anymore require LSIs to undergo either a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test before coming home.
“Masugot na lang kita because it is directive from the national government,” said Defensor.
An advisory from DILG assistant secretary Marcelo Morales on Aug. 25 stated: “The refined policy guidelines on the management of LSI only require medical clearance certificate and travel authority (prior to the departure of LSI).”
According to Morales, the RT-PCR testing will be conducted by the receiving local government unit (LGU) upon the LSIs’ arrival.
“There is no need to further conduct RDT and/or RT PCR tests at the sending LGU,” the advisory read.
According to Defensor, provincial governors were apprehensive that this new policy would result to surges in cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) but would nevertheless follow the directive.
“Ang reaction namon, siempre that is dangerous…Kita diri nag-wave because of returnees, that is why we are tightening our quarantine measures,” said Defensor.
The DILG advisory added: “The cost of RT-PCR testing shall be covered by the receiving LGUs and not by the LSIs.”
Receiving LGUs, however, may request for PCR test kits from the national COVID task force if needed.
DILG cited Department of Health Memorandum No. 2020-0180 issued on April 16, 2020 for coming out with this new policy on LSIs:
Part of the memo read: “(R)apid anti-body test kits shall not be used as a standalone test to definitely diagnose or rule out COVID-19. The RT-PCR testing is the confirmatory test. Requiring rapid diagnostic test, aside from being an additional cost to passengers, is causing a delay for LSIs to secure the necessary documents for their travel back to their homes.”
DOH further averred that “(t)hese rapid test kits, aside from the fact that they must be used in conjunction with RT-PCR, have a low rate of reliability.”
But while Defensor said he would be acquiescing to the DILG directive, he defended his Executive Order (EO) No. 183, Series of 2020 issued on Aug. 17 requiring about-to-return LSIs to first undergo RT-PCR test and be negative for COVID-19.
“I will be remiss in my responsibility of protecting the borders of this province from COVID-19 kon masiling lang ako ‘ti sige masulod kon masulod, abir man kon high-risk.’ Ang ginapangayo ta pag-andam man lang. Wala man ko magsiling nga indi puede. Natural lang nga mag-andam kay ara kita sa pandemic,” said Defensor.
Under Defensor’s EO 183, LSIs wanting to come home must comply with the following:
a) RT-PCR test with negative result released at least three days before travel
b) Medical Clearance Certification issued by the City/Municipality Health Office of origin stating that the LSI is not COVID-positive, not a contact, suspect or probable case, and has completed 14 days of quarantine
c) Travel Authority issued by the Chief of Police of the City/Municipality of origin, or by a higher command
d) shall be subject to 14-day quarantine in an LGU facility upon arrival, or may opt to be quarantined in a commercial/tourism accommodation establishment at his/her own expense
Since April, 33,955 LSIs (as of Aug. 20) have returned to Region 6, data from the Regional Incident Management Team (RIMT) for LSIs showed. They were mostly from Metro Manila, Cebu and Palawan.
Antique had the most number of LSIs at 8,970 followed by Negros Occidental (6,620), Capiz (5,811), Iloilo (4,699), Aklan (4,473), Bacolod City (1,745), Iloilo City (1,130), and Guimaras (507)./PN
