4.1M Filipinos stranded due to ECQ, SWS survey shows

A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed that approximately 4.1 million Filipinos were stranded due to the government's Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) measures implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The survey, conducted from May 4 to 10 with 4,010 respondents, indicated that 5.4 percent of Filipinos aged 15 and above were not in their permanent residences during the lockdown period.

Balance Luzon had the highest number of stranded individuals with about 1.8 million, followed by Mindanao (1.1 million), Visayas (710,000), and Metro Manila (490,000).

Of the stranded individuals, 2 million were in ECQ areas (5% of the population in these areas), while 2.1 million were in general community quarantine (GCQ) areas (5.9% of the population).

The survey also detailed the number of stranded individuals across different age groups, with the 25-34 year olds having the largest number at 1.2 million.

Pasay City Mayor Emi-Calixto Rubiano urged fellow mayors to provide accommodation for stranded residents near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Rubiano noted that some local government units (LGUs) are reportedly unprepared to accept stranded individuals returning to their areas.