Republic of the Philippines Regional Task Force for COVID-19 One Caraga Shield OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF THE REGIONAL TASK FORCE (RTF) FOR COVID-19 ONE CARAGA SHIELD ON THE STRANDED CARAGANONS The plight of our fellow Caraganons including the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are stranded in Cebu City, Metro Manila, and other parts of the country has been brought to the attention of the RTF One Caraga Shield. The Task Force has lengthily and judiciously discussed and considered all angles of the matter during its 4th Teleconference Meeting held yesterday, April 22, 2020, in the hope of coming-up with a decision that is compassionate and humane for our stranded Caraganons, while at the same time also ensuring public health and safety of those inside the region. With these considerations, the RTF agreed to appeal to our fellow Caraganons who are now stranded in the other parts of the country to momentarily remain at their current host city/location, while the Enhanced Community Quarantine is still in effect. It was established during the meeting that many of our provinces and cities have already undertaken initial steps and provided assistance to their respective stranded constituents such as, but not limited to, cash assistance for food or boarding/hotel expenses. Moreover, our local chief executives expressed strong commitment to continue to provide such assistance and extend this further to those who have not yet made contact with their respective local government units (LGUs) to ensure that their needs and safety, while away from home at these very trying times, are adequately provided and protected. For further inquiries or clarifications, you may directly contact the RTF Secretariat through the Office of Civil Defense hotline 09479468145 and email address at [email protected] for referrals to your respective LGUs. We call on every Caraganon to stay calm, stay at home, and follow the advisories of the authorities. We assure the public that your government is at work and doing everything necessary to ensure public order, health, and safety. With everyone’s help and cooperation, we can recover as one and beat COVID-19. Issued this 23rd day of April 2020, in Cabadbaran City, Philippines. GOV. DALE B. CORVERA Chairperson, RTF for COVID-19 One Caraga Shield and Regional Development Council, and Governor, Province of Agusan del Norte .