DOTr starts data gathering for ‘hatid-estudyante’ program

https://www.facebook.com/DOTrPH/photos/a.395811647224644/1690538864418576/?type=3&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARD6E-9z6xiw6KKK-7Yzrscm3Nolk4wOau5f1LoiVJSDIVSpP3GULl362BynAbuF-BxBXGbWU1ds744dWYGb1Z4Fez6iLnQrI8pA688vK5WTy8zZuvsRHSjuq8vFN1yi4X9D0CMppuxyhvVoyHr7a4Zq4bivE7OJ_Xizc6UiVYgEuZ45ar98gl978LUKFLMxNR8Irm7Wl3oVRWqNTnkOlUlHnOHK0RH50rlf6U0slO-NnJZAxkvh95kJiCzc5A0kX1ZMU9-5_nf1cuM-w93aUn160UJ6asUch4GYeKlv1s5n4YQZTAsyXMGvTQ1z4FRQOrpAseJd8gTgd-kNQOa66M1hiA&__tn__=-R

MANILA – Students who got stuck in their dormitories or school campuses anywhere in the country due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak may soon have a chance to come home.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it began the data-gathering phase for its “hatid-estudyante” program.

Students who wish to avail of the program may fill up an online application form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSet1crSBtMzGxi2dsClS__VzFUdbrwX0mqD3dPcAndztjGXZg/viewform.

“Sa nasabing form, matutukoy ng DOTr ang profile ng mga estudyante, kasalukuyang lokasyon, destinasyon, health declaration, school ID (o anumang katibayan ng enrollment), at parental consent (kung menor de edad) para sa Covid-19 testing (In the form, the DOTr will gather the profiles of students, which would include their current location, destination, health declaration, school ID or any proof of enrollment, and parental consent for minors for Covid-19 testing),” the DOTr said.

Data gathered would determine the viability of the program, which will be presented to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) for approval.

In a message on Tuesday, DOTr Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran clarified that the program is only a proposal and would include all stranded students, not only those stuck in Metro Manila.

Libiran said the program was initiated by DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade to help stranded students, in addition to helping overseas Filipino workers, seafarers, and others come home.

“He told us that apart from helping OFWs, seafarers, among others, there should also be a program to help stranded students,” she said.

In a press release on Tuesday, the DOTr said Philippine Ports Authority general manager Jay Santiago, DOTr Undersecretary Manuel Antonio Tamayo, and Assistant Secretary Mark de Leon were assigned to supervise and implement the program.

For students without an Internet connection or have any concern with the program, the DOTr said its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) may be reached through several hotlines. Globe or landline users may call landline numbers (02) 7980-2387, (02) 7980-2390, (02) 7980-2391, (02) 7980-2392, and (02) 7980-2394 or mobile numbers (0917) 876-8523, (0917) 876-8535, (0917) 876-8573, (0917) 876-8594, and (0917) 802-2224.

For Smart or PLDT subscribers, it said the DOTr EOC may be reached by dialing the toll-free hotline #840-55-500.