260 stranded student interns in Israel return home —CHED

At least 260 student interns who were stranded in Israel have returned to the country, according to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

In a statement on Monday, CHED said these students came from 30 different state universities and colleges (SUCs) and were under the  Student Internship Abroad Program (SIAP) in Israel.

“CHED has been closely monitoring the situation of these students since March 2020,” CHED chairperson Prospero De Vera said.

“With the collaborative effort of the Commission and its partner government agencies and stakeholders, out of the 599 student interns deployed in Israel, 260 have already returned to the country on October 14,” he said.

Around 258 more stranded students are scheduled to be repatriated on October 21, while 54 more on October 24, the agency said.

The repatriated students  will be staying at the University Pad in Manila for their mandatory quarantine while waiting for the RT-PCR swab testing result.

The students of Pampanga Agricultural State University  and Tarlac Agricultural University will be transported to Clark City by their respective provincial government.

They will also undergo swab testing upon arrival at their quarantine facility.

“The Agrostudies student interns were assisted by CHED through the help of the RRCG Transport System Co. Inc. and the Philippine Army personnel upon arrival to NAIA,” De Vera said.

“They will also be closely monitored and assisted by CHED while staying at their quarantine facility until they are reunited with their families,” he added.

According to CHED, the student interns have completed their 11 months of international internship/training under the Granot Agrostudies Program in Israel. —Joviland Rita/LDF, GMA News