After students drowned, Bulacan school found not following rules on field trips

The Commission on Higher Education on Thursday revealed that the Bulacan State University may have been remiss in following procedures when conducting a field trip, saying that they failed to submit the proper paperwork, which includes a risk assessment of the educational trip.

 

“Ang observation ng regional office, apparently 'yung paaralan, 'di nagsumite ng notice or information sa ating regional office na ayon sa regulation, ay kailangan iyan. Maraming checklist 'yan, all kinds of issues and concerns. Kung kasama sa curriculum, kung may medical insurance, kung accredited ba 'yung sasakyan na gagamitin, may teacher bang kasama, may risk assessment plans ba?” Atty. Julito Vitriolo, CHED Executive Director said in an interview with GMA News TV’s Unang Balita.

 

“Ang sinasabi ng regional office, mukhang 'di dumaan [sa process]. 'Di namin nakita 'yung requirements. Maaaring tumuloy lang on their own,” he added.

 

On Tuesday, a flash flood occurred at the Madlum River in San Miguel town in Bulacan, where more than 100 students from Bulacan State University were having a field trip. Several students drowned in the incident. 

 

At least six of the fatalities have been identified so far: Helena Marcelo, Michelle Ann Rose Bonzo, Sean Alejo, Mickel Alcantara, Madel Navarro and Janet Rivera. A seventh victim was found early Thursday morning.

 

A seventh body was found on Thursday, which reports say could be that of former EB Babes member Maiko Bartolome. 

 

Vitriolo said the school failed to submit the necessary documents to conduct the field trip, documents which should have been submitted at least a month prior to the trip.

 

“Ang patakaran kasi, isang buwan bago sa tinatayang field trip, magsu-submit ka na ng notices mo,” he said.

 

If proven to have been negligible, the BSU administrator may face administrative, civil and criminal charges, Vitriolo said.

 

“Open sa administrative, civil and even criminal liabilities ang guilty parties kung saka-sakali. Administratively, mayroon din sanctions. Baka itigil muna ang educational tours,” he said, adding that while the students’ parents signed waivers for the trip, it does not excuse responsibility from the school.

 

“'Yung mga waivers na 'yan, hindi absolute 'yan. Para lang sigurado na pinayagan, pero 'di covered mga aksidente, mga sakuna, may nasaktan o namatay. Kasi maaaring contrary to public policy o law 'yan. 'Di mo pwedeng i-surrender ang karapatan mo, lalo kung may negligence o pagkukulang ang school authorities,” he said. —Patricia Denise Chiu/KG, GMA News