Davao Oriental is set to launch today its “Oplan Sundo: NLD Cares” to rescue the stranded individuals outside the border of the province, particularly those who are in Davao City.
Governor Nelson Dayanghirang said they will deploy six buses for the next two weeks to ferry Davao Oriental residents currently stranded in Davao City.
The provincial government said that over 700 individuals have signified their interest to avail of the transport assistance since it was announced on Sunday. For the next two weeks, the Oplan Sundo will operate three times a week to cater to about 700 to 800 individuals.
Each of the buses can accommodate 25 persons, including the driver and security personnel who will ensure the safety of the passengers, as well as ensure that physical distancing is properly observed. It will also include the medical staff composed of a doctor and nurse who will check for the passengers’ respiratory symptoms. Those who exhibit symptoms will be transferred to a separate bus.
The provincial government bared that the first batch of the passengers will be the stranded students.
Employees who have lost their jobs with no means to earn income, overseas Filipino workers, and other vulnerable groups will also be fetched in the succeeding days.
The Provincial Task Force for COVID-19 clarified, however, that a filtering system was established in order to cater only to those individuals who are “in great need” of the service and are bona fide residents of the province.
The validation and verification of their identities are done by the Provincial Incident Management Team with its counterparts in the local government units.
Dr. Reden Bersaldo, action officer of the Provincial Task Force on COVID-19, appealed for the public’s understanding since not everyone can be accommodated.
“Not everyone who has manifested an intent to go home will be catered. We have to make priorities because if we don’t, we will end up overwhelming our limited resources and manpower,” he said.
Those individuals who are qualified and set to avail of the service will receive confirmation from the provincial government and will later be given instructions on the designated schedule and pickup points.
The provincial government said the passengers will be grouped according to their area of designation. They will be asked to sign an agreement that will signify their willingness to be placed under the mandatory quarantine upon arrival.
The individuals will then be dropped off at their respective city or municipality’s designated quarantine center where they will be isolated for the next 14 days. In the duration period, family members of the individuals are prohibited to visit.
Meanwhile, all COVID-19 suspects will undergo swab testing. Individuals who test negative will be allowed to go home.
“The rest will be considered as Persons Under Monitoring and be subjected for the 14-day quarantine unless subjected to the swab test with negative results,” the provincial government said.
