Go to DOTr: Bring stranded students to home provinces

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go asked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and other concerned agencies yesterday to help stranded students in Metro Manila return to their home provinces as restrictions due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are being eased.

He said he backed President Duterte’s initiative, “Hatid Estudyante para Makabalik sa (Kanilang) Probinsya” for stranded students.

The senator urged various agencies of the government to coordinate closely with each other to ensure the safety of students who would choose to voluntarily go home.

The initiative will be led by the DOTr, in close coordination with the Departments of the Interior and Local Government, Social Welfare and Development and Education and the Commission on Higher Education.

Go said the cost of transportation should be shouldered by the agencies so students would not have to pay for their trip even as he urged concerned local government units to prepare for the arrival of the students for safe turnover to their families.

He also appealed to students and families for their understanding since protocols must be followed to ensure their safety and the safety of their communities.

He also urged them to assess if it would be better for them to go home to their provinces or just stay in Metro Manila given that the next school year will start in a few months.