
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian answers query from the members of the Senate media during the Kapihan sa Senado forum in this file photo taken on April 25, 2024. 好色先生TV / NOY MORCOSO
MANILA, Philippines 鈥 The Commission on Higher Education (Ched) was told on Thursday to immediately identify those responsible for the 鈥渦nauthorized off-campus activity鈥 that students of Bestlink College of the Philippines were subjected to during a recent field trip in Bataan.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, head of the Senate鈥檚 panel on basic education, said Ched should impose corresponding sanctions or 鈥渃orrective measures鈥 on those responsible for the supposed educational trip.
鈥淪tudents deserve to feel safe and supported during field trips, which are meant to enhance their education. The failure to ensure students鈥 well-being is unacceptable. Educational institutions must uphold the highest standards of care and responsibility when organizing off-campus activities. This is not the first time that the school conducted an off-campus activity that resulted in a mishap,鈥 said Gatchalian in a statement.
In line with this, he said distressing incidents highlight the 鈥済rave risks鈥 that can arise when proper planning and safety measures are not in place for school activities.
鈥淚 also urge Ched, as well as schools and higher institutions, to revisit policies on off-campus activities to ensure that students鈥 safety is never compromised,鈥 he added.
Earlier, Ched disclosed that students of the Quezon City-based school experienced 鈥渟evere logistical problems and safety concerns, with many [of them] stranded for hours with no transportation to go back to Manila during the activity.鈥
It, however, was debunked by Bestlink, maintaining that their 鈥渁dministrators have always put utmost priority and consideration to the safety and welfare of the students, before, during, and after the event.鈥
鈥淲e fully sympathize with the students for what they went through, and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this event may have caused not only to our students and their families, but also to the residents of Punta Belle in Hermosa, Bataan,鈥 said Bestlink.