FOLLOWING the announcement of the extension of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine until April 30, Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas said the province is gearing up for a lockdown.

“We must also prepare. On our part, once this last for long, relief operations are most needed as stakeholders are no longer working. We have already ordered 1,000 cavan of NFA rice to help stakeholders," the governor added.

The official solicited the cooperation of people of Benguet from the barangays up to the Provincial Government.

Diclas added relief packs are available at the provincial capitol for stranded students and visitors as a majority are staying in Benguet’s capital town.

He said 500 relief packs were earlier distributed to stranded students.

The governor added there are barangays who were also given relief and vulnerable groups attended by the provincial government such as small scale miners and tour guides.

"The province is looking into those who were not responded in their towns and barangays. We are making sure the resources must be distributed to all and avoid the duplication of relief," Diclas added.