CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga, Sept.9 (PIA) -- National government agencies and local government units (LGUs) provided assistance to families in Central Luzon that were affected by the quarantine measures imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"Under Reintegration strategy, financial as well as livelihood and educational assistance provided by the national government and LGUs to our affected constituents in the region, including the implementation of the Social Amelioration Program and other emergency assistance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture and Department of Labor and Employment and other initiatives from our LGUs intended to uplift the living conditions of the people," Regional Task Force on COVID-19 Chairperson and Office of Civil Defense Regional Director Maria Theresa Escolano disclosed during the visit of the Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic Team of the National Task Force led by Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

Some LGUs also provided housing and transportation assistance to affected population.

Moreover, the region continues to provide mental health and psychosocial support through the Department of Health Mental Health Hotlines for COVID-19 patients, survivors, frontliners and other individuals suffering from stress due to this pandemic.

"There has also been collective efforts from the national and local government in assisting Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) including foreign nationals, and Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROF) who have been displaced by the health crisis," Escolano furthered.

As of September 7, a total of 23,667 ROFs have been received at the Clark International Airport One Stop Shop, majority of whom are land-based Overseas Filipino Workers.

Also, the city government of San Jose del Monte provided a temporary shelter via National Housing Authority facilities for 107 LSIs in National Capital Region consisting of 44 families thru the government's Hatid Tulong Initiative.

Best practices under Reintegration strategy include the Balik Pinas, Balik Pampanga Program of the Provincial Government of Pampanga where Kapampangan ROFs were assisted upon their arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which covers swab testing, quarantine accommodation at the New Clark City and free transportation to their home destination.

Lastly, the region has crafted a Central Luzon Recovery Program, which contains programs, projects and activities lined up for this year until 2022, aimed at restoring the economic and social condition, and improving the level of resilience of its people in the face of continuing COVID-19 pandemic. (CLJD-PIA 3)