Bontoc folks return home

By Alpine L. Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Seventy-nine residents of this capital town stranded in Baguio City and La Trinidad, Benguet came home here and will be united with their families after they will complete their 14-day quarantine period.

The returnees were provided with free transportation aboard five buses chartered by the local governme nt on June 5 under the last batch of Oplan Suma-ar, local version of the Balik Probinsya of the national government. 

Of the total, 75 were adults and four children.

They earlier registered in the Municipality of Bontoc Facebook Page and after having confirmed their presence during their travel date.

Also, they had agreed to undergo mandatory 14-day quarantine at the town quarantine facilities inspected and assessed by the Rural Health Unit and Barangay Health Stations.

Their families agreed to provide their food rations during the quarantine period, and comply with the protocols.

The local government strictly complied with the protocols and processes in assisting its LSIs with proper coordination with the Municipal Government of La Trinidad and City Government of Baguio.

They were required to secure Medical Certificates/ Health Certificates from the Local Health Unit of their point of origin and Travel Authorities from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Similar with the two previous implementations of Oplan Suma-ar, Bontoc town officials set two pick-up points, one at the Benguet State University (BSU) Parking Area at Km.6, La Trinidad, Benguet to cater to LSIs in La Trinidad and the other at the D’ Rising Sun Transportation Terminal at the Slaughter Compound, Baguio City to cater to LSIs in Baguio City.

Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey expressed his gratitude to different offices, agencies, individuals, and other stakeholders for the realization of the last batch of Oplan Suma-ar for Ifontok residents stranded in La Trinidad and Baguio City.

Odsey thanked the La Trinidad Municipal Government under the leadership of Mayor Romeo Salda; the City Government of Baguio under the leadership of Mayor Benjamin Magalong; the Baguio City Police Office, Benguet State University headed by BSU President Feliciano Calora, Jr.; and the D’ Rising Sun Transportation System Incorporated management, drivers, conductors, and staff.

The Bontoc LGU Team who escorted and assisted the LSIs coming home to Bontoc, Mountain Province were Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Lourdes Claire Peel, Municipal Legal Officer Seichi Ofo-ob, Administrative Officer IV Ross Kiat-ong, Nurse II Oliver Gacusana, Nurse I Achilles Feckleng, Jr., Feliciano Vergara, Jr., and Roy Bawiyan.