The Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Narra, in its regular session held Monday, June 22, approved a supplemental budget of P5.6 million to be used for the needs of over 400 Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROF’s) and Locally Stranded Individuals (LSI’s).
Leonard Marinas, OIC of the Municipal Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO), said that the proposed budget will be allocated mostly for the the essential needs of their returning kababayans.
The fund will be divided for the essential needs of returnees for their accomodation, food for their 14-day quarantine as well as a portion for the renovation and equipment needed by medical frontliners and other supplies needed for their respective quarantine facilities.
When asked if facilities would be efficient enough to cater the number of ROF and LSIs, Marinas said that their office, along with other concerned agencies, agreed to turn schools within the town into temporary quarantine facilities.
Should the schools get maximized by the number of returning kababayans, Marinas said that they have already contacted some local pension houses and accomodation to host the ROFs and LSIs.
Meanwhile, the payment for lease or accomodation for the pension houses plays a big cut of the P5.6-million budget, for the Local Government Unit (LGU) will pay for at least P500 a day accomodation per room.
The LGU will also shoulder 3 meals per day for the 14-day quarantine facility period.
At present, the MDRRMO hosts over 100 ROFs and LSIs.
Meanwhile, Narra Mayor Gerandy Danao yesterday, released supplemental guidelines due to the growing number of COVID cases in the city of Puerto Princesa and the neighboring town of Sofronio Espanola.
Though the municipality hasn’t recorded its first COVID positive case, Narra is expected to tighten its health protocols within the coming days.