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QC Council to probe ‘death march’ field trip

February 2, 2025 Joel dela Torre 146 views

THE Quezon City Council led by Vice Mayor Gian Sotto will investigate in aid of legislation matters surrounding the controversy involving a city-based private educational institution where students on a field trip were allegedly made to walk for almost four hours along a highway.

To be led by Councilors Dorothy “Doray” Delarmente (Majority Floor leader) and Aly Medalla (Chairperson of the Committee on Education), the initiative seeks to thoroughly examine the circumstances of the incident.

The QC government said that this investigation would also seek to identify gaps in existing policies and protocols and propose appropriate measures to address them.

The involved school has already apologized for the supposed inconvenience claimed by the students.

“We 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, Hermosa, Bataan,” the school management said in a statement.

The incident happened last January 26 when the concerned students who allegedly attended the school’s 23rd founding anniversary, claimed they were made to walk along the highway.

Some of them even compared the experience to the “Bataan Death March” saying they were forced to walk hungry, thirsty and with extreme levels of fatigue.

Earlier, Mayor Joy Belmonte reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of all students.

“While the oversight of private schools primarily falls under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Education (DepEd), the city will take a proactive stance to protect its students and advocate for their well-being,” she stressed.

The safety of students, according to Belmonte, is a matter that transcends jurisdictions hence this investigation reflects the city administration’s firm resolve to ensure that such incidents are thoroughly examined and necessary steps are taken to prevent them from happening again.

Vice Mayor Sotto said that the investigation will focus on event organization and oversight; student safety and security protocols; supervision of students during activities; and policies and fees on mandatory participation.

Other matters include stakeholder feedback and engagement; coordination with LGUs and relevant authorities; compliance with national regulations and support systems for affected students and families.

Councilor Medalla has underscored the need for this initiative saying; “This is not just about addressing a single incident; it’s about ensuring that every institution in Quezon City, public or private, upholds the highest standards of safety and student welfare.”

For her part, Majority Floor Leader Doray Delarmente stressed; “The Council is committed to using the findings of this investigation to craft legislative measures that address gaps and strengthen protections for our students. We also aim to collaborate with CHED and DepEd to ensure a unified approach to these concerns.”

The Quezon City Government has assured the public that it will remain transparent throughout the investigation.

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