THE Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is intensifying its monitoring on the influx of locally stranded individuals (LSI) and returning overseas Filipino workers (ROF) availing the government’s "Hatid Probinsya" program, which is linked to BARMM’s increasing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases.
BARMM Inter-Agency Task Force Covid-19 Spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun confirmed that seven more LSIs and one ROF were added to the BARMM’s confirmed cases as of Thursday, which has already to a total of 134.
Pendatun said that of the total cases, 88 are from Lanao del Sur, 22 from Maguindanao, 21 from Basilan, three from Sulu while Tawi-Tawi remains to have zero recorded cases.
Pendatun added that out of the 134, there are 67 active cases, 63 recoveries and four deaths. They are all asymptomatic.
Pendatun noted that more than a hundred of the total cases in BARMM are LSIs and ROFs.
“Before the ‘Hatid Probinsya’ program, we only had around 12 cases in the BARMM, but we will continue accommodating LSIs and ROFs because we are not only duty-bound but morally bound to do so,” he stressed.
He said that they have already accommodated 6,447 LSIs and ROFs in the entire BARMM, as of Thursday, July 2.
“We assure that we will follow strict protocols, and these LSIs and ROFs will go directly to our isolation facilities so they will not be exposed to the communities,” he said.
On Wednesday, BARMM’s Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence has set up tents outside the Cotabato Airport in Awang, Maguindanao.
Pendatun said it will serve as a waiting area for LSIs and ROFs before further instructions from their respective local government units and health offices. (SunStar Zamboanga)