SOLID NORTH PL – REVIEW PROTOCOLS FOR SCHOOLS’ EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

A member of the House of Representatives higher and technical education committee has urged higher learning institutions to review their processes to ensure students’ safety during extra-curricular activities especially outside campus.

“In light of the unfortunate and untimely deaths of Ateneo basketball team members Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, now is the time for universities and colleges to revisit their protocols regarding in- and off-campus extra-curricular activities.

“Tandaan po natin na ipinagkatiwala ng mga pamilya ang buhay at kapakanan ng ating mga estudyante, kaya dapat na pakaingatan natin upang masigurong lagi silang ligtas sa kapahamakan,” Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos said.

The solon also called on the Commission on Higher Education to work with experts and HEIs in coming up with updated protocols for such activities.

Baterbonia and Adili drowned on June 8 during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

According to police, the Ateneo team were allegedly warned about sea conditions and declined supervision during their activity as they moved about 300 meters away from the resort where they were billeted.

Bernos was dismayed at what she called lapses of the team’s supervisors and called for a thorough investigation into the matter.

Should the team’s supervisors be found to have been negligent in their duties, the lawmaker said that they should be made accountable.

She also expressed her condolences to the victims’ families.

“Nakikiramay ako sa pamilya nina Rene at Divine, at nakikiisa sa panawagan na lumabas ang katotohanan sa kung ano talaga ang nangyari.”

The House is set to conduct a formal inquiry into the deaths of the two student-athletes.