DELEGATES of the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) and the National Festival of Talents (NFOT) from Davao Region have struggled to return home after the flight ban in Manila took effect, Sunday, March 15.
During the early hours of the ban, students and teachers who attended the NSPC and NFOT were stranded at the Clark International Airport after their supposed flights were cancelled.
The two events were held on March 9 to 13, 2020 in Cagayan Valley.
San Pedro College technical adviser Jecy B. Opada said they were rerouted to take the flight to General Santos City.
He said initially, it took hours before they were able to check-in. However, at around 2 p.m., they finally boarded the flight assisted by the personnel from the Department of Education.
He said he was with five students but there were about 100 delegates at the Clark International Airport.
On Sunday, March 15, Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, in her interview with 87.5 Davao City Disaster Radio, the delegates passed through Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) 3 from the event venue in Cagayan Valley before they were transported to Clark International Airport.
Duterte-Carpio said there were about 52 students who are coming from Davao Region. Twenty-two of them are from Digos City, Davao del Sur, 20 delegates from Davao del Norte, and 10 delegates from Davao City.
She said the students and teachers are already considered as Persons Under Monitoring (PUM) and will undergo self-isolation for 14 days.
She added buses from concerned provinces will be available at the General Santos International Airport and bring them to their respective residences.
“Ang katong mga dili taga-Davao, atong ihatod sa kung asa sila, Davao del Sur or Davao del Norte. Sunduon sila didto sa General Santos City (Those who are not from Davao, they will be sent to their residences whether in Davao del Sur or Davao del Norte. They will be fetched from General Santos City),” she said.