Bontoc, Mountain Province – One hundred fifteen (115) Bontoc residents who are Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) in La Trinidad, Benguet and Baguio City were able to come home on May 23, 2020, aboard six Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU)–chartered buses.
Of the total, 39 LSIs came from La Trinidad, Benguet, and 76 from Baguio City. The LSIs were provided with free transportation by the Bontoc LGU under its second batch of Oplan Suma-ar, a localized version of the “Balik Probinsya” program of the national government.
The LSIs were accommodated in the second batch of Oplan Suma-ar after registration in the link posted 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 LGU Quarantine Facilities or LGU –identified Quarantine Facilities inspected and assessed by the Rural Health Unit (RHU) and/ or Barangay Health Stations (BHS).
Their families agreed to provide their food rations during the quarantine period, and comply with the GCQ and LGU protocols.
The Bontoc LGU set two pick-up points, one at the Benguet State University (BSU) Parking Area, Km. 6, La Trinidad, Benguet to cater to LSIs in La Trinidad; and the other at the D’ Rising Sun Transportation Terminal at Slaughter Compound, Baguio City to cater to LSIs in Baguio City.
It is to be noted that the Bontoc LGU strictly complied with protocols and processes in assisting its LSIs with proper coordination with the Municipal Government of La Trinidad and the City Government of Baguio.
All the 115 LSIs were required to secure Health Certificates from La Trinidad Health Office and Baguio City Health Office and Travel Authorities from the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Upon arrival in Bontoc, they were triaged by the staff of the MHO at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol before they were escorted and ferried to the LGU Quarantine Facilities and LGU –identified Quarantine Facilities.
Aside from this, MHO staff administered the test to the LSIs using the Rapid Test Kits of which the results came negative.
Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey said that the Oplan Suma-ar materialized due to the collaborative efforts of different offices, agencies, and individuals.
“We are happy that our kakailyans from Baguio and Benguet are home. I am sure that their families have missed them so much. The Bontoc LGU is grateful for the cooperation of the LSIs, their families, as well as the different agencies involved in this undertaking,” the mayor added.
Odsey extended the profound gratitude of the Municipality of Bontoc to La Trinidad Municipal Government and La Trinidad Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) under the leadership of Mayor Romeo Salda; to the City Government of Baguio and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) under the leadership of Mayor Benjamin Magalong; and Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) for their support and assistance.
He likewise thanked BSU President Feliciano Calora, Jr., for his approval of the request of the Bontoc LGU for the utilization of the BSU Parking Area as the pick-up point in La Trinidad; Provincial Government of Mountain Province through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) for shouldering the snacks of the LSIs; D’ Rising Sun Transportation System Incorporated management, drivers, conductors, and staff; Mr. Clarence Dalog for volunteering to ferry the Bontoc LGU Team using his private car.
The Bontoc LGU Team who escorted and assisted the LSIs coming home to Bontoc are Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Lourdes Claire Peel, Administrative Officer IV Cyross Kiat-ong, Nurse II Oliver Gacusana and Nurse I Achilles Feckleng, Jr.
The mayor further commended all frontliners, employees of the Bontoc LGU, Barangay Local Government Units, and the volunteers for their selfless services in the fight against Covid-19.
Meanwhile, the 82 LSIs who were accommodated in the first batch of Oplan Suma-ar who were fetched and ferried aboard Bontoc -LGU chartered buses, have already completed their 14-day quarantine. Also, they all tested negative of Covid-19 using rapid test kits.** Alpine L. Killa, Bontoc –LGU
