Quezon City to probe school over field trip

MANILA, Philippines — An unauthorized off-campus activity of the Bestlink College of the Philippines that reportedly endangered students will be probed by the Quezon City government.

For its foundation day, the school held activities on Sunday at a resort in Hermosa, Bataan.

Students were reportedly traumatized as they walked for hours due to lack of transportation.

In 2017, Bestlink College also held an unauthorized field trip wherein 13 students, a teacher and a bus driver died and 40 others were injured.

“The safety of students is a matter that transcends jurisdictions. This investigation reflects our firm resolve to ensure that such incidents are thoroughly examined and that we take all necessary steps to prevent these from happening again,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

Over 1,000 students joined the activity, causing “severe traffic disruptions and raised safety concerns for the students,” the city government earlier said.

The probe will be led by city council majority leader Dorothy Delarmente and Councilor Aly Medalla.

Sanctions will be imposed on the school after the investigation, according to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

“The issue raised will be investigated with gravity and urgency, especially since this is not the first unauthorized off-campus activity conducted by the institution that has resulted in a mishap,” the CHED said.