Pasil Mayor Alfredo Malannag Jr. said a resolution asking the national government to include the town in the extension of the ECQ until May 15 has been made if only to prepare for the return of residents from all over the Philippines.
The mayor said there are close to 700 residents set to come home to the municipality once the ECQ is lifted to reunite with family and loved ones but facilities for their return have yet to be prepared.
“We are asking all Pasilians outside the municipality for the delay of your coming for us to prepare for isolation buildings, so you will be properly addressed, please understand us so that you will see your loved ones tomorrow,” Malannag said
The municipality, smallest in Kalinga Province, received the Bayanihan cash grant of a little over P7 million and from this, the refurbishing of existing facilities to become holding sites will be done for those stuck in Pampanga, Bataan, Benguet, Manila, Laguna including 50 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) set to return to their hometown.
“We need more time to prepare the holding facility, we need time to purchase materials and build, how can we do that if stores are closed,” the mayor said.
Malannag said the town has 14 barangays composed of 2,457 families in total and will take in the 700 who wish to return representing workers, OFWs, students and stranded residents all over the country once ECQ is lifted and travel is allowed.
The mayor said if request to be included in the extension is given, the municipality can have time to prepare sites for the returning town mates and protect the residents from a possible infection from coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
MARIA ELENA CATAJAN
April 29, 2020
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