Año clarifies Leyte COVID-19 case not from Balik Probinsiya

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año clarified that the recent COVID-19 case in Leyte was not part of the "Balik Probinsiya" program but rather the "Hatid Probinsiya" initiative.

Año explained that "Hatid Probinsiya" is a program designed to facilitate the return of stranded individuals to their home provinces during the COVID-19 crisis.

In contrast, the "Balik Probinsiya" program is a long-term government initiative aimed at decongesting Metro Manila by encouraging families to relocate permanently to the provinces.

The DILG Secretary corrected Baybay City Mayor Jose Carlos Cari's statement that the COVID-19 case in Leyte was linked to the "Balik Probinsiya" program.

Año mentioned that the government is currently implementing programs like "Hatid Estudyante," "Hatid Probinsiya," and "Hatid Manggagawa" to help stranded individuals return home.

The DILG has instructed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to establish help desks to assist locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs).

LSIs and ROFs are required to obtain a medical certificate and complete a 14-day quarantine before returning to their provinces.

LGUs were reminded by the DILG Secretary not to charge excessive fees for medical certificates for stranded individuals.

Separately, 121 beneficiaries reportedly returned to Leyte during the pilot implementation of the "Balik Probinsiya" program the previous week.