SAN JOSE, Antique – The last batch of 195 Antiqueño locally stranded individuals (LSIs) returned home from Metro Manila.
The LSIs availed themselves of the “Uli Antique (Antique Repatriation)” program which was provided free by the provincial government.
The FastCat roll-on, roll-off vessel carrying the LSIs docked at the Lipara port in the municipality of Culasi on June 25, said provincial information officer Junlie Saylo.
“The passengers were fetched by the vehicles of their respective local government units (LGUs) after arriving at the port,” said Saylo.
The LSIs would have to undergo the required 14-day quarantine in the isolation facilities prepared by their LGUs, he added.
Gov. Rhodora Cadio said on June 23 the trip was made after the provincial government agreed to the request of remaining Antiqueño students and displaced workers in Metro Manila.
“This trip was the last because the students and displaced workers who really needed the help to come home are already in this province,” she said.
For the other Antiqueños who also want to go home, they could buy tickets since the Antique airport in this capital town will have a commercial flight on June 28.
A total of 1,134 Antiqueños have availed themselves of the free repatriation program which started on June 8.
FastCat has sailed a total six trips to transport the LSIs back in this province.
On its last trip back to Batangas, the RoRo vessel transported 100 passengers working in Manila.(With a report from PNA/PN)
