QC govt mulls legal action vs. Bestlink over field trip 'safety failures'

The Quezon City government is considering to take legal action against Bestlink College of the Philippines (BCP) over the school's alleged student safety failures during a field trip in Hermosa, Bataan that left students exhausted and feeling ill.

In a statement Wednesday, the city government said it is "now studying legal options to hold the institution accountable while exploring policy measures to regulate large student activities, particularly those requiring travel outside the city."

It noted "serious lapses in student safety" amid Bestlink's off-campus foundation day activity in Hermosa last January 26. Videos of the students' trip home went viral as uploaders said they were forced to walk for hours under extreme heat and in the dark of the night with little food and water. Some students allegedly fainted due to fatigue, while others compared their experience to the Bataan Death March.

As for the possible regulations on out-of-town student activities, the QC LGU said, "The proposed guidelines will enforce stricter safety protocols, ensure better coordination with local authorities, and require institutional accountability for student welfare."

Concerns about the welfare of the student attendees were raised during an oversight committee hearing of the Quezon City Council, wherein alleged "inadequate safety measures, lack of medical preparedness, and logistical failures" were discussed.

Counting participants, ambulances

The Quezon City government cited the testimony of Police Major Phoe Pangan Jr. of the Hermosa, Bataan Municipal Police Station, who said event organizers initially informed authorities on January 23 that 17,000 students would attend. The actual head count, however, reached 25,000 a day before the event.

Only six ambulance units were reportedly available for the foundation day, the statement read.

Earlier reports on 24 Oras said the students had to walk several kilometers along the highway as their buses were parked in another barangay.

Bestlink College had previously said reports that its students were forced to walk for hours during the activity were "fabricated." It said "misinformation [or] disinformation" by some quarters intent on tarnishing its image.

The school added that it was open to conduct an independent fact-finding probe by the Hermosa local government to establish the truth about what transpired before, during, and after the event.

'Irresponsible, insensitive'

However, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte called out Bestlink College for brushing aside students' concerns.

"It is both irresponsible and insensitive for Bestlink College of the Philippines to dismiss students' legitimate concerns as fake news. This incident could have been avoided had they prioritized the safety and welfare of their students," Belmonte said.

"I urge the school administration to hold themselves accountable instead of blaming and threatening students who dared to speak up," Belmonte added.

Also in its statement, the Quezon City government affirmed that students and parents have the right to voice their concerns without fear of intimidation or retaliation.

"The city will continue to take all necessary legal and policy measures to ensure accountability and protect students from future safety lapses," it added.

City officials also called on the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to review its policies on non-curricular activities, particularly those involving large numbers of students.

CHED had previously issued a show cause order against Bestlink.

GMA News Online has reached out to Bestlink College for comment, but it has yet to respond as of posting time. — Llanesca T. Panti/ VDV, GMA Integrated News