The Quezon City Government is considering legal action against Bestlink College of the Philippines following serious lapses in student safety during an off-campus Foundation Day activity held on January 26 in Hermosa, Bataan.
The Quezon City Council, in an oversight committee hearing, raised concerns about the welfare of more than 25,000 high school and college students who participated in the event, citing inadequate safety measures, lack of medical preparedness, and logistical failures that led to students being stranded for hours.
Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, who led the hearing, criticized Bestlink College for its poor coordination with local authorities and the absence of a concrete safety plan. Reports indicated that only six ambulance units were available for over 25,000 attendees, and students faced delays in transportation, with some forced to walk long distances under extreme heat.
Social media posts and testimonies from parents and students detailed instances of exhaustion, dehydration, and fainting due to the lack of proper arrangements.
Further testimony from PMAJ Phoe Pangan Jr. of the Hermosa Municipal Police Station revealed that event organizers initially informed authorities on January 23 that 17,000 students would attend. However, the actual count of 25,000 was only confirmed a day before the event, placing additional strain on local resources.
Councilor Aly Medalla, chairperson of the Committee on Education, Science, and Technology, emphasized that the school lacked sufficient emergency response measures, which put students at risk. Mayor Joy Belmonte also condemned Bestlink’s handling of the situation, particularly its dismissal of students’ concerns as “fake news.”
“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,” she added.
The Quezon City Government 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. The proposed guidelines will enforce stricter safety protocols, ensure better coordination with local authorities, and require institutional accountability for student welfare.
Vice Mayor Sotto also acknowledged concerns raised by parents about the financial strain of multiple field trips and emphasized the need to balance enriching educational experiences with student safety.
“We empathize with the parents of these students. We know that no parent wants to put their child in harm’s way,” Sotto stated.
Majority Floor Leader Councilor Dorothy “Doray” Delarmente called on the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to review its policies on non-curricular activities, particularly those involving large numbers of students, to strengthen oversight and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Quezon City Government affirms 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.
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