Gov. Arthur Yap chides his critics who alleged that the governor is not exercising his political will regarding the issue on the arrivals of locally stranded individuals (LSIs).

The governor gave his comments regarding the accusations in a radio interview on Monday, June 29, 2020 over dyTR’s “Newsmakers ug Uban Pa” program hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy and Gloria Leodivica Ines Araneta.

The governor is being accused of having lack of political will to ask the national authorities to suspend the arrival of LSIs into Bohol.

Critics pointed out that the national authorities have allowed other areas in the country to suspend LSIs’ trips, and should also be the same case in Bohol.

In earlier reports, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) allowed Eastern Visayas to suspend the arrival of LSIs for 14 days.

Moreover, it was reported that LSIs trips to Western Visayas are temporarily suspended.

It was reported by Sun-Star Bacolod that Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana  approved the request of Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.

EXERCISING POLITICAL WILL

The governor pointed out that political will is all about making a decision and following it through.

He said In the interview, “Mao na kinahanglan na aduna tay baruganan ug andam ta to ensure the stand is carried out.”

He mentioned in the interview, “I believed that I have exercised my political will as against those people na who do not want na dawaton or papaulion ang mga kaigsoonan na Bol-anon na LSI.”

He added that he made a position on the repatriation of LSIs as early as Holy Week this year. The plan was dubbed as Oplan Exodus.

He believes that he exercised his political will pushing a repatriation plan which was initially a very unpopular one.

Yap added that he exercised his political will by requesting the national authorities regarding a change in the policy related to the return of the LSIs.

He reiterated that there is a need to let the LSIs return because he cannot deny Boholano LSIs’ desire to return to Bohol.

He mentioned that he exercised his political will by asking the national authorities to gradually allow the return of the LSIs.

During the interview, it was revealed that Yap asked the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) to let the LSIs return gradually and not abruptly in Bohol.

Yap’s letter to IATF’s Sec. Carlito Galvez was published in the June 28, 2020 edition of The Bohol Tribune.

The governor is asking the IATF to make the LSIs coordinate with the local government unit (LGU) a requirement before the LSIs could take the voyage to Bohol.

The governor sees this as an exercise of political will.

He explained the LSI acceptance should depend on the LGU’s absorbing capacity.

“If we don’t have enough (beds) dile nato sila (LSI) pwede dawaton,” Yap said.

Yap added that the provincial approach to Covid, is “effective management” or else the Boholanos will be infected by the Covid. It also means the LSI arrivals should be managed properly.

Furthermore, he said he is asking the national authorities to let the LSIs take the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) prior to arriving in Bohol.

He mentioned that Bohol as a total capacity of 6,000 beds but can only absorb 4,000 LSIs at any given time. He added that there is a need for a buffer to accommodate those LSIs that will illegally enter Bohol.