Baronda sheds light on alleged ‘uncoordinated’ return of stranded Ilonggos

Iloilo City Lone District Representative Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda has finally spoken up about her involvement in the alleged “uncoordinated” repatriation of stranded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and locally stranded individuals (LSIs).

In an interview with Rhod Tecson on IMT Conversations, Baronda clarified that the trips of OFWs and LSIs are arranged by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and other concerned government agencies.

“Ang aton ya pagbulig lang gid sa pag secure sang ila (OFWs and LSIs) requirements para madala sila sa flights approved by the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) kag makapauli sa Iloilo,” she explained. 

“Is it wrong to help these LSIs kag OFWs nga gina-anxiety attack na kag daw mabuang na? Mga utod naton ni sila. Wala sang makabulig sa mga Ilonggo kundi kita man nga mga Ilonggo. COVID and aton kontra, indi ang LSIs kag OFWs,” Baronda further said.

According to the neophyte lawmaker, she’s prepared to “take the bullet” for Ilonggos who wanted to return home.

“Maskin mabudlay kag hambalon sang iban nga kita ang nagdala sang virus sa Iloilo, nagpanikasog kita nga mabuligan ang aton mga utod nga makaupod nila ang ila pamilya subong nga crisis,” she told Tecson.

“Kon may nagapakamalaot sa aton, mas madamo ang nagapasalamat tungod ang aton ginahimo para sa ila kaayuhan,” Baronda added.

Last week, Mayor Jerry Trenas decried the uncoordinated arrivals of OFWs in the city.IMT