The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has finally begun ferrying students stranded in Metro Manila to their provinces, as the National Capital Region (NCR) enters into another round of lockdown meant to control the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
As of Thursday, the DOTr said it has helped bring home 11 students to their hometowns in Central Luzon under its “Hatid-Estudyante” program, which was rolled out to save the hundreds of students stranded in their campus apartments and dormitories during the Luzon lockdown that started in mid-March.
NCR will ease into a modified enhanced community quarantine starting on Sunday until May 31 but the use of public transportation remains prohibited during the period.
The students departed from the Land Transportation Office in Quezon City around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, after they were fetched by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel from their residences. The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the PCG have taken the lead in the effort.
Rapid testing
Before boarding, the students underwent rapid testing for COVID-19 infection and were all found to be negative. PPA general manager Jay Santiago said the first batch of students proved that the program was feasible, as they sought to cater to more students who responded to their online survey.
He added that the DOTr’s Emergency Operations Center was the “only authorized entity to inform stranded students of their itinerary and protocols one day prior to their departure date.” —KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING