The Palawan State University (PSU) said it has been providing continued assistance to some 20 students currently stranded in Metro Manila because of the nationwide lockdown, and around 500 in Puerto Princesa City who have been unable to return to their respective hometowns.
University president Dr. Ramon Docto said they have around 20 students trapped by the lockdown in Manila, including some who came from Vietnam for a teaching practicum.
“Tinutulungan din natin yong mga estudyante na meron silang duty sa Manila, siguro 20 plus, mga petroleum engineering students. Meron nga tayong apat na nagpa-practice teaching sa Vietnam tapos pauwi na rin sila. Nabigyan sila kasi marami naman sila pero pagdating sa Manila, hindi sila makakauwi dito,” he said.
Docto said that they are using monetary donations to extend support to the students staying in Manila.
“Nagpapadala tayo, we have yong mga pera na naipon natin ay pinapadala natin sa kanila. Kahit papaano ay makapadala tayo,” he said.
Docto said that the university is also continuing its assistance to students stranded both inside and outside the province. He said however that their second attempt to request for travel clearance to the provincial government was not approved.
“After that, nong nabalita na i-extend yong quarantine, nagsulat ako (uli) na baka payagan na tayo dahil extended na yong lockdown. Kay governor ko ito isinulat kasi sabi ko kahit walang sasakyan, kami na ang mag-provide para mabawasan lang yong mga estudyante. Kailangan lang namin ay permit to travel,” he said.
Docto said that he wrote a letter first on the initial schedule of ECQ and the second on the extended lockdown.
PSU is currently conducting its fourth wave of distributing goods to the students in Puerto Princesa.
“Nilo-locate naman ng mga coordinator natin. Marami rin tumutulong, faculty union tumutulong din, alumni at may mga kaibigan na nagbibigay na ibinibigay natin sa mga estudyante,” he said.
Docto said that aside from goods, PSU is also extending different efforts to help not only the members of the academe but the community in times of fighting against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
He cited some of these efforts including the SHARE helpline of College or Arts and Humanities and the fabricated disinfection chamber of the engineering and nursing faculty.
“Plus sa pagbalik ng klase ay meron disinfectant na nagawa, pati sa sasakyan para pagdaan sa gate. Meron na rin kaming order na thermal scanner,” he said.
Docto thanked individual donors including Bobby Castro of Palawan Pawnshop for assisting their efforts.
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