Kabugao reaches out to stranded students

By Redjie Melvic M. Cawis

KABUGAO, Apayao -- The local government unit here  extended cash assistance to its stranded students in the different areas in Luzon with the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to COVID-19.

Mayor Bensmar Ligwang thru the town’s local finance committee initiated the financial assistance to Ykabugao students   who were stranded or were not able to come home   to help them survive the Luzon-wide ECQ that took effect March 17.

The cash assistance is to ensure that the students at least have money to use while under the ECQ since most of their parents or guardians cannot send money as they cannot work since they are also affected by the COVID-19 crisis, he said.

              On April 1, the LGU started distributing P2, 500 cash assistance   to at least 84 stranded students in Baguio City, Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, Tabuk City in Kalinga, Laguna province and the towns of Conner and Luna in Apayao using money transfer service that is easily available to the students.

The Kabugao LGU launched the search and support for the students who were not able to come home before the lockdown. They created a scheme to contact the stranded students to get their details, location and their conditions and how they could help.  They used social media platforms such as the Discover Kabugao to reach out.

Learning about the LGU initiative, the Isnag Philippine National Police-Special Action Force “TAGALIGTAS” group  composed of Yapayao SAF troopers deployed in the different areas in the country  extended cash assistance  of P14,000  to the  stranded students   thru  the LGU-Kabugao  Financial Assistance Point Person.

Meanwhile, the LGU is also preparing financial assistance for COVID-19 persons under investigation who have been placed under isolation or 14-day home quarantine which can be used by their families during the period that the PUI cannot work.(JDP/RMC-PIA CAR)