KABUGAO, Apayao – The local government unit here extended cash assistance to students from the town who are stranded in different areas of Luzon due to the enhanced community quarantine.
Mayor Bensmar Ligwang, through 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 would 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 due to Covid-19 crisis, Ligwang said.
On April 1, the municipal government started distributing P2,500 each to 84 stranded students in Baguio City, Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, Tabuk City in Kalinga, Laguna, and the towns of Conner and Luna in Apayao using money transfer service available to the students.
The municipal government 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 and get their details, location, condition, and how they could help. The LGU 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 Y-Apayao SAF troopers deployed in the different parts of the country extended P14,000 assistance to the stranded students through the LGU-Kabugao Financial Assistance Point Person.
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. – Redjie Melvic M. Cawis
