THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided more than P5 million worth of financial assistance to 2,242 locally stranded individuals (LSIs).

As part of its continuing efforts to address the needs of LSIs in Metro Manila, the DSWD provided the financial assistance during the government’s Hatid Tulong Grand Send Off activity on July 4 and 5, 2020 at the Quirino Grandstand.

Hatid Tulong is a transport assistance initiated by different national government agencies to aid LSIs as they return to their respective provinces.

As part of the health and safety protocol, the LSIs underwent rapid testing from the Department of Health (DOH) for Covid-19 before they received travel authorization from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Aside from the cash assistance provided through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), the DSWD's Field Offices will also distribute food packs to the LSIs once they reach their respective hometowns.

The LSIs are also required to undergo a second screening and a mandatory 14-day quarantine to ensure that they are free of Covid-19.

DSWD will continue its coordination with concerned agencies to ensure the provision of assistance to remaining LSIs in Metro Manila.