MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday described as “miscommunication” the absence of its representatives during the July 30 House inquiry on the plight of locally stranded individuals amid the COVID-19 crisis, spokesman and Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said Friday. Malaya issued the statement in response to Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor who fumed at DILG after its failure to send a representative during the House committee on governance hearing about the issues on stranded individuals. Malaya, likewise, said the agency apologizes for their failure to attend the House hearing. He also assured that DILG will attend other House hearings if the agency would be summoned in the future. The stranded individuals were part of the government’s transportation program, Hatid Probinsya which ferries individuals to their home provinces.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 31, 2020 04:18 UTC