From the start of the Balik-Probinsiya Program of South Cotabato on the last week of May until August 27 this year, the province has already assisted some 8,938 Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) and 1,860 Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs), for a total of 10,798 province-wide, the Arts, Culture, Tourism and Museum (ACTM) Promotions and Development Unit reported.
ACTM assists the LSIs and ROFs, in coordination with the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and South Cotabato Police Provincial Office (SCPPO), in fetching the LSIs and ROFs at the airport or seaport of their point of entry, registration in the South Cotabato CoViD Contract Tracing System and provision of transportation to ferry them from their entry point to Koronadal City (which also include provision of bottled water and meals and snacks for each passenger)
The IPHO medical team on the other hand, conducts triaging of passengers upon arrival at the airport terminal, while the PDRRMO, together with the Kabalikat Communication Group, implements other disinfection protocols upon arrival of the vehicles at the PROTECH Center, the point of destination.
The city/municipality LGUs through their C/MHO or C/MDRRMO fetch their respective constituents for their eventual 14-day quarantine in their designated isolation unit.
ACT formed teams to fetch LSIs and ROFs on scheduled regular flights in the airports of General Santos City, Davao City and Cotabato City, and airport and seaport of Cagayan de Oro City, and sweeper flights in General Santos City airport.
The teams wear Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) and observe proper disinfection protocols as they perform their scheduled tasks before reporting back to their office, while some members have undergone rapid or swab tests as requested by IPHO.
The Balik-Probinsiya Program will continue until requests for assistance will be received by the province from LSIs and ROFs, ACTM disclosed.
