ILOILO – The local government unit (LGU) of Tubungan facilitated the return of a family stuck in the town for more than a month due to the ongoing enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the province.
Emelyn Estando-Tano, head of the Tubungan Public Employment Service Office, said the family, composed of seven individuals, sought the assistance of her office. They were caught in the province-wide lockdown and left with no more money to buy their needs.
The Gallego family from Barangay Jayobo, Lambunao town are laborers in a local resort which was undergoing improvement but whose owners were also stranded in Manila.
A village official in Ingay, Tubungan took custody of the family, letting them stay in his house while generous residents sustained their needs.
Tano said the LGU of Tubungan coordinated with the office of Lambunao’s Mayor Reynor Gonzales who, through a letter of acceptance, allowed the return of the workers provided they shall undergo the required 14-day quarantine period and other health protocols.
On May 3, aboard the vehicle of the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion and with their ECQ pass issued by the Tubungan LGU, the workers were fetched by the members of the Lambunao Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office at the town’s border.
Albert Galan, Lambunao MDRRM officer, said the workers are now quarantined at Jayobo Barangay Health Center, the village’s designated isolation center for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and under strict monitoring by the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team.
Galan said each worker was given food packs containing five kilograms of rice, assorted canned goods and noodles.
Tano said the LGU of Tubungan also provided the family with relief goods.
Tears rolled down on the face of the mother when she saw the military truck on Sunday.
“She was so happy that they could go home already and grateful for the hospitality of the people who welcomed and took care of them as well as those who facilitated their return,” said Tano.
Iloilo province is under an extended ECQ until May 15. (PIA-6/PN)
