OUR students studying in the Philippines are urgently calling on the National Government to evacuate them from the country as the number of Coronavirus cases increases in the Philippines.
President of the Solomon Islands students studying in Philippines Arthur Mola made the call yesterday after learning that some confirmed cases were now detected close to where our students are currently residing.
Mr. Mola said the president of the Philippines had already declared a state of Public Health Emergency in the country on Monday due to the increasing number of coronavirus cases.
“The rate at which this deadly virus is spreading here is too fast.
“In fact, some of the confirmed cases yesterday were just a few meters away from where we live and studying.
“This has caused a lot of fear among our students,” Mr. Mola told Solomon Star from the Philippines, Tuesday.
As of Monday this week, the total Covid-19 cases in the Philippines stand at 24.
Schools, colleges and universities are now suspended in the Philippines.
Mr. Mola said his student executive had already contacted the Ministry of Education and Human Resources.
“The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education Dr. Franco Rodie has assured us that a team from the ministry will meet today about any possible action to take,” he said.
“All of us want to come back home when we are still not infected.
“The situation here is very, very hostile. By looking at the current trend at which this virus is moving or spreading one can tell that in the next few days or weeks it will be catastrophic.
“Therefore, I hope our Government through its responsible authorities will take action before the situation goes out of control.
“My executive (SIPSA) has advised the student body to remind calm amidst this epidemic and not panic.
“We further state that one must take extra preventive action for himself or herself while waiting for the decision of our responsible authorities.
“To be honest the situation here now is very scary and immediate action is needed,” Mr Mola said.
