The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has taken action against Bestlink College of the Philippines, issuing a show cause order due to the institution’s unauthorized out-of-town celebration of its founding anniversary in Bataan. CHED Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III announced that the college failed to submit the necessary documents to the CHED Regional Office National Capital Region before conducting the off-campus event. Reports from students highlighted severe logistical issues and safety risks during the event at Punta Belle Resort in Hermosa, Bataan, leaving many students stranded without transportation back to Manila. CHED has initiated an investigation and promised to enforce sanctions if the situation warrants it. De Vera emphasized that the response to the show cause order will determine any violations and subsequent penalties. This incident marks the second off-campus mishap for Bestlink College, following a tragic event in February 2017 that resulted in 15 deaths and 40 injuries. Meanwhile, the Quezon City government, led by Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, has also launched an investigation into the incident. Mayor Joy Belmonte stressed the importance of student safety across jurisdictions and the need for thorough examination to prevent future occurrences. The city council aims to identify policy and protocol deficiencies that may have contributed to the incident and develop measures to address them. Key areas of focus include event organization, student safety protocols, supervision during activities, mandatory participation policies, stakeholder engagement, coordination with local government units and authorities, compliance with national regulations, and support for affected students and families. Majority Floor Leader Dorothy Delarmente expressed intentions to work with CHED and the Department of Education to ensure a cohesive approach to these issues.
CHED Demands Explanation from Bestlink College Over Unauthorized Outing
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