- MITCH M. LIPA
After five days and four nights in the rough seas off southern Negros, the two fishermen finally returned home to Sipalay City Thursday noon, Feb. 25.
But they have yet to see their families as they were brought to the city’s isolation facility for quarantine.
Dionilo Bogtae, head of the Sipalay City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, said that Alex Alagao, 72, and Rico Norquia, 52, arrived Wednesday night in Dumaguete port from Dipolog City.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office of Zamboanga del Norte facilitated their return after the LDRRMO of Siocon town took care of them.
Upon arrival at the Dumaguete Port, they stayed overnight at the Philippine Coast Guard Negros Oriental station and were fetched by CDRRMO Sipalay Thursday morning.
The two were found adrift in the shores of Barangay Balagunan, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte on Monday afternoon with their damaged fishing boat.
The fishermen went on fishing Feb. 17 afternoon from Barangay 5, Sipalay City.
The following day, they contacted their family to inform them that their fishing boat encountered an engine trouble.
The supposed rescue operations last Friday were called off due to bad weather because of the incoming storm.
Bogtae added that the two were subjected to quarantine to follow the health protocols of the city since they came from another province and traveled via public sea transport.
They will also undergo swab test today and if the result will turn out negative, they will be required to finish the strict 14-day home quarantine.
Their food and medical needs will be provided by the city government. – MML
