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 event held on January 26 in Hermosa, Bataan.
During an oversight committee hearing, the Quezon City Council raised alarms over the welfare of more than 25,000 high school and college students who participated in the event. Concerns were centered on inadequate safety measures, insufficient medical preparedness, and logistical failures that left many students stranded for hours.
Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, who presided over the hearing, criticized Bestlink College for its poor coordination with local authorities and the absence of a comprehensive safety plan. Reports revealed that only six ambulances were available to cover the massive crowd, while transportation delays forced some students to walk long distances under extreme heat.
Testimonies from parents and students, as well as posts circulating on social media, described instances of exhaustion, dehydration, and fainting due to the lack of proper arrangements.
Adding to the concern, PMAJ Phoe Pangan Jr. of the Hermosa Municipal Police Station disclosed that event organizers initially informed authorities on January 23 that 17,000 students would attend. However, the actual attendance ballooned to over 25,000, a figure only confirmed the day before the event—overwhelming local resources and emergency response capabilities.
Councilor Aly Medalla, chairperson of the Committee on Education, Science, and Technology, stressed that the school’s failure to implement adequate emergency response protocols endangered students’ lives. Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte strongly condemned Bestlink’s handling of the situation, particularly its dismissal of students’ legitimate safety 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 asserted.
She further urged the school’s administration to take accountability instead of deflecting blame or threatening students who courageously voiced their experiences.
In response to the incident, the Quezon City Government is now exploring legal options to hold the institution accountable. Additionally, the city is considering policy measures to regulate large-scale student activities, especially those involving out-of-town travel. Proposed guidelines aim to enforce stricter safety protocols, improve coordination with local authorities, and ensure schools are held accountable for student welfare.
Vice Mayor Sotto also acknowledged parents’ concerns about the financial burden of frequent field trips, emphasizing the need to strike a balance between providing enriching educational experiences and ensuring 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.
Councilor Dorothy “Doray” Delarmente, Majority Floor Leader, called on the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to review its policies on non-curricular activities, particularly those involving large student groups, to enhance oversight and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Quezon City Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting students and ensuring their voices—and those of their parents—can be heard without fear of intimidation or retaliation. Legal and policy measures are being pursued to secure accountability and prevent future safety lapses in educational activities. (With Almar Danguilan)