DepEd stops all field trips

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) has stopped public elementary and high schools from sending their students on field trips following the bus accident last Monday in Tanay, Rizal that killed 15 people and injured 40 students of BestLink College of the Philippines.

DepEd said the moratorium would be in effect until the opening of classes in June to allow the agency to review existing policies and harmonize the implementing details across the regions.

“The review will cover alignment of field trips to learning outcomes, security and safety, and responsibilities and accountabilities not only of the schools but also of parents and of other relevant government agencies,” said the department.

But unlike the Commission on Higher Education that suspended all field trips for public and private colleges and universities, the DepEd order only covers public elementary and high schools.

DepEd explained that the exclusion of private schools from the moratorium is due to the direct responsibilities of private schools in the conduct of their activities.

“Should the committee see the need and propriety to extend the moratorium to private schools, DepEd will do so at the proper time,” it said.

“While the moratorium is only for public schools, policy for both public and private will be covered by the review. Representatives of private schools will be included in the student committee,” added DepEd.

The department also allowed public schools that have already secured permits and finalized their contracts to proceed with the field trip, “provided that existing guidelines especially on safety are strictly followed.”

Earlier, DepEd reiterated that participating in field trips or educational tours is not mandatory.

It also called on school officials to verify the proper registration and road worthiness of the buses or vehicles to be used and ensure that the drivers have the appropriate know-how and frame of mind when on the road.

“Places to visit must be educational, such as cultural and historical sites, or science exhibits in museums. Trips to malls and attendance at noontime TV shows are discouraged,” it added.

The bus that figured in the accident on Monday was carrying college students to a three-day medical and survival training in Sacramento Adventure Camp in Tanay as part of their National Service Training Program subject.

Police probe

Police investigators have coordinated with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and a transport group to determine the real cause of the bus accident in Tanay.

Senior Supt. Randy Peralta, Rizal police director, said the result of the investigation of the LTO and the Global Motors Association (GMA) would guide families and relatives of the victims in filing cases against owners of Panda Coach Tours and Transport Inc.

“The LTO and the GMA personnel would conduct a technical investigation to determine if there is a mechanical defect in the bus amid statements of survivors that they smell something like tires burning before the crash,” said Peralta.

He explained that the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) of the Rizal police have no capability to analyze the condition of the bus to determine the real cause of the accident.

Peralta sought the help of the LTO and GMA following claims of the management of the bus company that the bus was well maintained.

The bus company also submitted documents on the condition of their vehicle, he added.

A dispute over cash assistance and insurance claims is brewing between families of victims, the school and the bus company.

Families of the slain victims who went to the help desk at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) yesterday lamented that they were being duped of their rightful compensation even after the death of their loved ones.

At least three parents claimed that BestLink College was negotiating with Panda Coach Tours and Transport Inc. so that the school could reimburse the expenses they incurred for funeral assistance.

They said the school wants funeral and burial assistance already handed out to them to be deducted from the families’ receivable of at least P250,000 in passenger insurance from Panda Coach.

This angered the parents, who said the insurance should be left untouched as this would not even compensate for the loss of their loved ones.

Bernie Panagsagan, legal counsel of Panda Coach, confirmed that there were initial talks with BestLink over the consolidation of insurance and assistance claims.

LTFRB member Aileen Lizada said that a representative from BestLink College gave assurance that she will ask the school’s Board of Trustees not to deduct anything from the receivable insurance of the families.

Lizada said this reimbursement issue should be cleared as this would be the decent thing to do so as not to “belittle” what the affected families are going through.

The victims’ relatives would initially receive P50,000 from the SCCI Management & Insurance Corp. for passenger insurance, another P50,000 in comprehensive insurance from Paramount Life and General Insurance, and P30,000 in cash assistance from Panda Coach.

They would then have a remaining balance of P150,000 from SCCI, which they could redeem upon completion of documentary requirements including proof of beneficiary, police reports and death certificate.

BestLink vice-president Donny Lleno in a phone call with Lizada said they have shelled out around P50,000 for funeral and transport services, as well as cash assistance to the aggrieved. - With Rainier Allan Ronda, Non Alquitran, Delon Porcalla, Romina Cabrera