Pacesetter Vol XLII No. 1 Broadsheet Issue
By Regina May Francisco, Maricar Contreras and Donna Thea Dela Rosa
By Regina May Francisco, Maricar Contreras and Donna Thea Dela Rosa
Drowned to death.
Despite being non-compulsory, Bulacan State University (BulSU) Tourism freshmen students were obliged to join College of Home Economics (CHE) educational trip aiming for a final examination exemption which resulted to seven casualties, Madlum River, San Miguel, Bulacan, August 19.
The victims were identified as Helena Marcelo, Mikhail Alcantara, Sean Rodney Alejo, Michelle Anne Bonzo, Madel Navarro, Maiko Bartolome and Jeanette Rivera of Tourism 1A.
Meanwhile, survivors Danielle Cunanan and Thea Hernandez were first admitted to Emmanuel Hospital in San Miguel; transferred to Bulacan Medical Center in the City of Malolos and were moved to Santisima Trinidad Hospital, Malolos for computerized tomography scan.
For grades’ sake
According to ____, one of the participants of the tour, their professor in a major subject announced that they could be exempted from their finals in Principles of Tourism class if they participate the trip.
“Sino ba naman ang hindi ma-e-excite sa first tour as a college student ‘di ba?Iinutang ko nga lang ‘yong pinambayad ko eh, pero sino rin ba naman ang aayaw sa chance ma-exempt sa finals?” said the first BulSUan witness who chose to hide her identity.
According to ____,another CHE trip participant who witnessed the tragedy, 12 students crossed the Madlum river but as they reached the middle part, heavy rains triggered the water volume to increase rapidly, resulting to a flash flood that wiped out the victims.
“Noong umpisa, hanggang lagpas lang ng tuhod [water level] tapos no’ng pauwi na kami, tumaas nang tumaas. May sudden na ragasa ng tubig kaya sila [victims] tinangay,” said the second witness who also refused to reveal his identity.
The other witness also narrated that the rope which students gripped as guide only covered half the entire width of the river; the path is composed of huge and sharp rocks.
However, the first witness admits that even though the activity was not directly imposed on them, their eagerness to take part was reinforced by the idea of them being exempted in their final examination.
“Ido-document namin ‘yong San Miguel tour at ipapasa ng pa-video format, ang dalawang grupo na may pinakamagandang project ang exempted. Five persons per group ‘yon,” the first witness added.
But for Vice President for Academic Affairs Antonio del Rosario, these are just allegations and is no evidence supports the claim“Again, hindi ko ‘yon natanong sa mga professor, lahat ng ‘yan mga hearsay lang ngayon, nagpo-float lang na idea ‘yan. Who are the sources, and how true is it? Again it is to be confirmed by the Fact-finding Committee.”
Pointing fingers
Following the tragic incident suffered by the Tourism freshmen are the relatives of the victims asserting that there was negligence on the part of the teachers who were tasked to supervise the BulSUans during the trip.
Aurita Landayan, Bonzo’s grandmother claimed that there was no teacher present during the Madlum Cave tragedy based on the testimonies of her granddaughter’s friends.
“Napakalaki ng kapabayaan nila [teachers], sobra; naging kampante sila. Siguro matagal na nilang ginagawa ‘yon, sinuswerte lang talaga . Pero mas maganda para ‘di na masira ang BulSU bigyan na nila ng karampatang parusa ‘yang mga ‘yan. Alangan naman kung ibabalik pa nila sa pagtuturo,” Landuyan claims.
She further shared that she was unwilling to give Bonzo her permission from the very start because of notions that San Miguel is an accident-prone area.
Landayan said she did not remember signing any waiver before the field trip and thought the students would only go to SM Pampanga, but not in Madlum Cave.
“Bakit nagpabaya? Wala ba siyang[CHE Dean Nerissa Viola]anak? Kung hindi man, sinigurado sana nila na ‘yong lugar na ‘yon ay ligtas. Nagpadala sana sila ng expert na tagapaglitas ng mga bata kung sakaling magkaroon ng problema. Wala siyang malasakit sa bata,” exclaimed Landuyan.
Similarly, the first witness confirmed the claims of the affected party’s relatives.
“Aba, may kasama pala kaming instructors! Hindi talaga sila ramdam. Ano bang role nila? Mag-orient na hindi naman nila nagawa? Sumama sa mga adventure na hindi naman nangyari kasi masyado silang KJ (Kill Joy)KJo baka mas gusto nilang mag-videoke kaysa siguraduhing ligtas ‘yong mga estudyante.”
On the other side, del Rosario admits that the assigned professors failed to supervise the students in the particular area when the accident happened..
“Nai-kuwento nga nila [teachers] na that they did not join the trek itself, that they just go to some point, but not farther than that, students go beyond that point, they were left at some point there. They just took care of the belongings of the students,” cited del Rosario.
Meanwhile, Rodolfo Alejo, Sean's Father assured that all parents of the seven victims would file a case after the investigation.
“May mga tao lang na sasampahan ng kaso. Hindi naman kasalanan ng school kasi out-of-town na ‘yon. So, do’n lang sa mga dapat managot na facilitators. ‘Yong mga iresponsableng tao ang matatamaan,” said Alejo.
Late response
Student Affairs and Services Dean Nicanor Dela Rama also disclosed that BulSU failed to respond immediately to the tragedy since the university has no rescue team, citing that the accident happened at 3:00 pm but its news reached the school at 5:00 pm.
“Hindi kami nagpadala [rescue], unang-una, wala tayong rescue team, kami mismo ni president [de Jesus], with some other teachers. We right away. While on the way, nagkakatawagan na si pres at si governor [Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado], mas nauna lang sa amin si governor.”, del Rosario explained.
Del Rosario and BulSU President Mariano De Jesus together with other professors personally went to San Miguel as representatives of the institution.
Despite the university’s assurance of support to the victims’ families, some of them refused to accept BulSU’s financial assistance.
“Yes, BulSU mag-so-shoulder do’n [expenses], BulSU will provide all the necessary support for the students who’ve suffered in this tragedy. And the president is really eager to support kung ano ‘yong very need ng families,” declared dela Rama.
BulSU conducted a stress debriefing seminar for all Tourism students who were traumatized led by College of Social Sciences and Philosophy psychologists last August 22 at BulSU Hostel.
BulSU admits lapses
An independent Fact-finding Committee was created to investigate the incident with Retired Judge Manuel Siayngco as Chairman; members Engr. Dennis Aguirre, BulSU Student Government’s President Michael Santos, Mr. Jose Cundangan, Atty. Arni Topico and the committee secretary Atty. Felicidad Ico.
The investigation’s result shows that BulSU committed some violations; one is the failure of the academic institution to comply with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Circular Memorandum 17-2012, , mandating colleges and universities to inform CHED of the nature of their field trips at least a month before the opening of the academic year.
However, VPAA Del Rosario refused to confirm the ‘negligence’ BulSU committed before and during the accident,“Hindi ko puwedeng sagutin ‘yon kasi ‘yong mga gano’n, hindi dapat perception. Factual dapat ‘yon. Para masagot ‘yon dapat may investigation,”
Also, the Fact-finding Committee cited that the university failed to address the guidelines defining the responsibility of the faculty advisers of the Federation of Accelerating Students of Tourism (FAST)and medical clearance for students.
According to a CHE instructor who was in the faculty the night of the accident, the three instructors were Reynita Del Fonso, Jane Lopez and Leslie Garcia; whereas, Adventours Xchange, a private tours and company; and FAST were the organizers of the educational trip.
Moreover, the investigation showed that BulSU faculty failed in supervising the students during the trip; lack of emergency rescue and first aid team in the vicinity while students claim that the tourwas compulsory for their grade, and the waiver form signed by the parents or guardians did not specify the itinerary which has no permit from the local government unit.
Pacesetter tries to hear the side of CHE faculty members but the concerned persons remain silent regarding the issue.
As of this writing, all scheduled fieldtrips and educational tours of colleges are hereby suspended due to the incident, same as BulSU Intramurals.
Despite being non-compulsory, Bulacan State University (BulSU) Tourism freshmen students were obliged to join College of Home Economics (CHE) educational trip aiming for a final examination exemption which resulted to seven casualties, Madlum River, San Miguel, Bulacan, August 19.
The victims were identified as Helena Marcelo, Mikhail Alcantara, Sean Rodney Alejo, Michelle Anne Bonzo, Madel Navarro, Maiko Bartolome and Jeanette Rivera of Tourism 1A.
Meanwhile, survivors Danielle Cunanan and Thea Hernandez were first admitted to Emmanuel Hospital in San Miguel; transferred to Bulacan Medical Center in the City of Malolos and were moved to Santisima Trinidad Hospital, Malolos for computerized tomography scan.
For grades’ sake
According to ____, one of the participants of the tour, their professor in a major subject announced that they could be exempted from their finals in Principles of Tourism class if they participate the trip.
“Sino ba naman ang hindi ma-e-excite sa first tour as a college student ‘di ba?Iinutang ko nga lang ‘yong pinambayad ko eh, pero sino rin ba naman ang aayaw sa chance ma-exempt sa finals?” said the first BulSUan witness who chose to hide her identity.
According to ____,another CHE trip participant who witnessed the tragedy, 12 students crossed the Madlum river but as they reached the middle part, heavy rains triggered the water volume to increase rapidly, resulting to a flash flood that wiped out the victims.
“Noong umpisa, hanggang lagpas lang ng tuhod [water level] tapos no’ng pauwi na kami, tumaas nang tumaas. May sudden na ragasa ng tubig kaya sila [victims] tinangay,” said the second witness who also refused to reveal his identity.
The other witness also narrated that the rope which students gripped as guide only covered half the entire width of the river; the path is composed of huge and sharp rocks.
However, the first witness admits that even though the activity was not directly imposed on them, their eagerness to take part was reinforced by the idea of them being exempted in their final examination.
“Ido-document namin ‘yong San Miguel tour at ipapasa ng pa-video format, ang dalawang grupo na may pinakamagandang project ang exempted. Five persons per group ‘yon,” the first witness added.
But for Vice President for Academic Affairs Antonio del Rosario, these are just allegations and is no evidence supports the claim“Again, hindi ko ‘yon natanong sa mga professor, lahat ng ‘yan mga hearsay lang ngayon, nagpo-float lang na idea ‘yan. Who are the sources, and how true is it? Again it is to be confirmed by the Fact-finding Committee.”
Pointing fingers
Following the tragic incident suffered by the Tourism freshmen are the relatives of the victims asserting that there was negligence on the part of the teachers who were tasked to supervise the BulSUans during the trip.
Aurita Landayan, Bonzo’s grandmother claimed that there was no teacher present during the Madlum Cave tragedy based on the testimonies of her granddaughter’s friends.
“Napakalaki ng kapabayaan nila [teachers], sobra; naging kampante sila. Siguro matagal na nilang ginagawa ‘yon, sinuswerte lang talaga . Pero mas maganda para ‘di na masira ang BulSU bigyan na nila ng karampatang parusa ‘yang mga ‘yan. Alangan naman kung ibabalik pa nila sa pagtuturo,” Landuyan claims.
She further shared that she was unwilling to give Bonzo her permission from the very start because of notions that San Miguel is an accident-prone area.
Landayan said she did not remember signing any waiver before the field trip and thought the students would only go to SM Pampanga, but not in Madlum Cave.
“Bakit nagpabaya? Wala ba siyang[CHE Dean Nerissa Viola]anak? Kung hindi man, sinigurado sana nila na ‘yong lugar na ‘yon ay ligtas. Nagpadala sana sila ng expert na tagapaglitas ng mga bata kung sakaling magkaroon ng problema. Wala siyang malasakit sa bata,” exclaimed Landuyan.
Similarly, the first witness confirmed the claims of the affected party’s relatives.
“Aba, may kasama pala kaming instructors! Hindi talaga sila ramdam. Ano bang role nila? Mag-orient na hindi naman nila nagawa? Sumama sa mga adventure na hindi naman nangyari kasi masyado silang KJ (Kill Joy)KJo baka mas gusto nilang mag-videoke kaysa siguraduhing ligtas ‘yong mga estudyante.”
On the other side, del Rosario admits that the assigned professors failed to supervise the students in the particular area when the accident happened..
“Nai-kuwento nga nila [teachers] na that they did not join the trek itself, that they just go to some point, but not farther than that, students go beyond that point, they were left at some point there. They just took care of the belongings of the students,” cited del Rosario.
Meanwhile, Rodolfo Alejo, Sean's Father assured that all parents of the seven victims would file a case after the investigation.
“May mga tao lang na sasampahan ng kaso. Hindi naman kasalanan ng school kasi out-of-town na ‘yon. So, do’n lang sa mga dapat managot na facilitators. ‘Yong mga iresponsableng tao ang matatamaan,” said Alejo.
Late response
Student Affairs and Services Dean Nicanor Dela Rama also disclosed that BulSU failed to respond immediately to the tragedy since the university has no rescue team, citing that the accident happened at 3:00 pm but its news reached the school at 5:00 pm.
“Hindi kami nagpadala [rescue], unang-una, wala tayong rescue team, kami mismo ni president [de Jesus], with some other teachers. We right away. While on the way, nagkakatawagan na si pres at si governor [Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado], mas nauna lang sa amin si governor.”, del Rosario explained.
Del Rosario and BulSU President Mariano De Jesus together with other professors personally went to San Miguel as representatives of the institution.
Despite the university’s assurance of support to the victims’ families, some of them refused to accept BulSU’s financial assistance.
“Yes, BulSU mag-so-shoulder do’n [expenses], BulSU will provide all the necessary support for the students who’ve suffered in this tragedy. And the president is really eager to support kung ano ‘yong very need ng families,” declared dela Rama.
BulSU conducted a stress debriefing seminar for all Tourism students who were traumatized led by College of Social Sciences and Philosophy psychologists last August 22 at BulSU Hostel.
BulSU admits lapses
An independent Fact-finding Committee was created to investigate the incident with Retired Judge Manuel Siayngco as Chairman; members Engr. Dennis Aguirre, BulSU Student Government’s President Michael Santos, Mr. Jose Cundangan, Atty. Arni Topico and the committee secretary Atty. Felicidad Ico.
The investigation’s result shows that BulSU committed some violations; one is the failure of the academic institution to comply with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Circular Memorandum 17-2012, , mandating colleges and universities to inform CHED of the nature of their field trips at least a month before the opening of the academic year.
However, VPAA Del Rosario refused to confirm the ‘negligence’ BulSU committed before and during the accident,“Hindi ko puwedeng sagutin ‘yon kasi ‘yong mga gano’n, hindi dapat perception. Factual dapat ‘yon. Para masagot ‘yon dapat may investigation,”
Also, the Fact-finding Committee cited that the university failed to address the guidelines defining the responsibility of the faculty advisers of the Federation of Accelerating Students of Tourism (FAST)and medical clearance for students.
According to a CHE instructor who was in the faculty the night of the accident, the three instructors were Reynita Del Fonso, Jane Lopez and Leslie Garcia; whereas, Adventours Xchange, a private tours and company; and FAST were the organizers of the educational trip.
Moreover, the investigation showed that BulSU faculty failed in supervising the students during the trip; lack of emergency rescue and first aid team in the vicinity while students claim that the tourwas compulsory for their grade, and the waiver form signed by the parents or guardians did not specify the itinerary which has no permit from the local government unit.
Pacesetter tries to hear the side of CHE faculty members but the concerned persons remain silent regarding the issue.
As of this writing, all scheduled fieldtrips and educational tours of colleges are hereby suspended due to the incident, same as BulSU Intramurals.