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LTFRB Caraga’s Statement Of Gratitude To Those Who Supported The Hatid Estudyante Program

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LTFRB Caraga’s Statement of Gratitude to those who supported the Hatid Estudyante Program

The DOTr’s Hatid Estudyante Program is a nationwide program to bring back stranded students to their respective provinces. As an offshoot of this Program, the Balik Caraga for Stranded MSU Students was launched, which was a collaborative effort of DOTR-LTFRB, DOH, DILG, LGUs, Provincial Government, MSU-Main, MSU-IIT, MSU-Naawan, MSU-Alumni Association, Bachelor Express Inc., Shell, Petron, and other private individuals who exerted effort and extended assistance to realize the program.

LTFRB Caraga acted upon the reports that stranded MSU students were yearning to go back home in Caraga region after being stranded for two (2) months.

Initially, the estimated budget for the said program was ₱453,337.85. This covered the fuel cost, wage expenses, and meals for the drivers, staff, and returning students. However, the Regional Office did not have budget for this, as it was not the lead agency for this program. LTFRB Caraga called for support to the Program.

CARBUTRANSCO, a Transport Service Cooperative (TSC) in Caraga Region, donated chicken, which our LTFRB personnel prepared and cooked for lunch (May 15). Thankfully, MSU and MSUAA offered to cover the budget we intended for meals expenses. Specifically, they offered the (May 15) dinner for the drivers and staff, and (May 16) breakfast, AM snacks, lunch, and PM snacks for the students, drivers, and staff. Further, MSU and MSUAA also prepared the accommodation for the drivers and staff.

Moreover, BEI offered to lend us the 22 buses. Petron and Shell also offered to cover the fuel cost for the said program.

Our concern left was for the wage expenses of the drivers.

MSU-IIT offered to pay the wages for the seven (7) drivers assigned to fetch their students. Each driver was given ₱1,000.00 upon their arrival in MSU-IIT.

RFRO 13 was able to receive monetary donations from MSU-Naawan and other private individuals. MSU-Naawan deposited ₱4,000.00 to our LBP Account. We also received ₱4,000.00 from Atty. Paredes, ₱3,000.00 from Engr. Makko, ₱5,000.00 from Mr. Gumanoy, and ₱800.00 from private individuals who deposited cash to our LBP Account.

The remaining money, specifically the ₱1,800.00, was used for the tarpaulin printing.

LTFRB Caraga OIC Regional Director Maria Kristina E. Cassion also donated ₱16,500.00 from which, ₱11,000.00 was intended for the overtime payment of the 22 drivers and ₱6,500.00 was intended for honorarium of four (4) groups of PNP escorts who ensured the safety of the convoy of 22 buses.

LTFRB Caraga only facilitated the provision of transportation, secured the necessary travel entry and exit clearance for the returning students, and coordinated with DOH and DILG for the protocols.

The Hatid Estudyante Program: Balik Caraga for Stranded MSU Students would not be possible, if not for these enablers whose benevolent hearts brought this endeavor to success. Our prime concern was the return of these students. Last May 16, 2020, they were welcomed back home. (Jelie L. Madroñal | RPN DXKS)

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