MANILA, Philippines — Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has opened up the Manila North Harbor as a temporary refuge for individuals stranded in Manila because of the quarantine.
As of July 4, the harbor has taken in some 289 individuals who were provided food and beddings, among others. They have been sleeping in the open air at the ports.
Earlier this week, Tugade was ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte to look into the situation of stranded “probinsyanos” who have been camping in areas near Ninoy Aquino International Airport, after their booked flights were canceled.
On Thursday, Tugade also ordered airport officials to open the airport building to passengers with valid tickets, medical certificates and travel authority passes. The Department of Transportation also procured 2,000 monobloc chairs for waiting passengers.
—Krixia Subingsubing