The homecoming of those living in the Western Visayas, Iligan City and Lanao del Sur will have to wait after the government suspended the return trips of stranded individuals to these areas to contain localized outbreaks of COVID-19, an official said Tuesday.
From Tuesday, Bacolod City and Lanao del Sur were placed under the second highest quarantine, MECQ until Sept. 30 along with Iligan City. The restriction was placed to prevent the further spread of the disease, said Sec. Carlito Galvez, the chief implementer of the country's pandemic-fighting strategy.
So-called locally-stranded individuals have gathered at various points in Metro Manila hoping to return to their home provinces after losing their livelihoods in the capital.
However, local officials have been careful in accepting the returning individuals since the National Capital Region is the COVID-19 epicenter of the Philippines.