Locally stranded individuals currently staying at the Philippine Ports Authority have received assistance from the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) and TV5 Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc. (AKFI) whose personnel distributed snack packs and raincoats as well as gave advice on health protocols.
“We hope to provide some comfort and nourishment to over 200 LSIs patiently waiting at the port area for a ship that could transport them to their respective homes in places such as Basilan, Jolo, Sulu, Cagayan De Oro, Butuan City, Iloilo, Bacolod, and Cebu,” said PSF president Ma. Esther Santos.
“Though they are sad and distressed at having to wait for days and weeks in less than ideal conditions, well-meaning people who call on them to see how they’re doing and the prospect of getting home eventually lift their spirits,” Santos added.
During their visit, the personnel of PSF and AKFI shared basic information on standard health protocols such as wearing face masks, social distancing, and good hygiene to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease.
AKFI Executive Director Menchie Silvestre said they also took the time to listen to the personal stories of the stranded individuals, most of whom lost their jobs amid the quarantine restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"There was a couple who got fired from their jobs and were evicted from their rented room in Laguna. They had no other recourse but to avail of the government’s Balik-Probinsya program, buying two tickets home with the little money they had. There was also a working student who almost choked on her tears, thinking of the uncertainty of her situation.” Silvestre recalled.
Under the government’s Hatid Tulong program, LSIs who have completed health requirements will be brought back to their home provinces after coordinating with relevant local government units.
AKFI, the social development arm of TV5, is a non-stock and non-profit organization established in 2011 with the commitment to promote and support humanitarian causes.
PSF, on the other hand, is a non-profit organization that fully serves as the social outreach arm of PLDT Inc. and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. Headed by PLDT and Smart Chairman Manuel Pangilinan, PSF has created programs focused on education, livelihood and social enterprise, disaster response and recovery, youth arts, and sports development.