ILOILO – The municipality of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo is temporary not accepting returning locally stranded individuals (LSIs).
The town’s designated quarantine facility has reached full capacity, according to Mayor Nielo Tupas.
“Bangod sang kadamuon na sang gina-quarantine sa aton isolation facility sa Vista Alegre, temporaryo anay nga untaton ang pagbaton sang mga LSIs,” the local government of Barotac Viejo announced.
The indefinite suspension beginning Oct. 2, according to Tupas, will allow returnees currently in its quarantine center to complete their 14-day isolation and vacate these areas for the incoming returning residents.
Serving as the town’s isolation center is the 83-unit mass housing project of the National Housing Authority (NHA) in Barangay Vista Alegre. But it currently houses 104 LSIs and returning overseas Filipinos.
“Kon tam-an bala kadamo basi bala nga indi namon ma-asikaso sang maayo kag basi bala mag-backfire,” Tupas said in an interview with Panay News.
The mayor will send this Monday a formal request to the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force in Western Visayas headed by Director Juan Jovian Enginiero of the Department of Interior and Local Government Region 6.
As of Oct. 25, Barotac Viejo had six active COVID-19 cases, all of which were asymptomatic and isolated at the town’s quarantine facility.
The municipality is the fifth local government unit in the province to request a travel moratorium for LSIs.
The town of Concepcion asked for a 10-day suspension while Janiuay and Pavia requested for 14 days, and Oton, one week./PN
