STUDENTS in La Trinidad, Benguet have signified their need to go back to their home areas.
The local Government Unit of La Trinidad provided free transportation services prioritizing students with dwindling resources.
The free transportation program was spearheaded by the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, councilor Apolinario Bagano, saying there are more than 200 students who applied for the free rides to go home.
As of Thursday, 40 students were ferried back home starting March 26 to the municipality of Tuba, the councilor added they are currently coordinating with other SK Federations in the towns of Kibungan and Kapangan.
Only 12 persons may travel per trip to observe social distancing and all passengers are required to do self-quarantine for 14 days at their hometowns to avoid any possible spread of virus.
“We know a lot of you are already aching to go home but we also know that it is not realistic to send everyone home. Please do understand the situation that we are facing. The Local Government Unit is doing its very best and we hope we get over this the soonest. With that, we have an order of priority to follow,” the federation president added.
Bagano said most of the student boarders do not have enough food, adding the federation plans to continue the program until next week while a standby relief will be given to those who will not be able to go back home.
Also on Thursday, Mankayan Mayor Frenzel Ayong in an open letter asked landlords, building owners of business establishments and lodging spaces in the town to waive the rental for two months (March and April).
“As humanitarian consideration to our present Covid-19 quarantine situation when there is a lack of economic activities. Those renting your building will be hard-up and expected to be unable to pay their rents,” he said.
To recall, a group of landlords in La Trinidad announced the non-collection of rental fees for a month in order to help tenants who are challenged by the situation following the threat of Covid-19.
Municipal Councilors of La Trinidad previously passed a resolution requesting local public utility services, financial institutions, property lessors and landlords to suspend the surcharges of overdue bills and to extend the payment deadlines of the same until May 2020.