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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider CHED on Bestlink incident: Not the first unauthorized off-campus activity to result in a mishap

CHED on Bestlink incident: Not the first unauthorized off-campus activity to result in a mishap

Published Jan 29, 2025 10:38 am

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) assured that "necessary sanctions" will be enforced against Bestlink College of the Philippines after a thorough investigation, noting that this is not the first time the institution has conducted an unauthorized off-campus activity that led to a mishap.

CHED.png
(CHED)

“Seemingly, compliance with the rules and guidelines set forth by the Commission was not taken seriously,” CHED Chairman Popoy De Vera said in a statement issued on Jan. 28.

CHED also confirmed that a show-cause order was issued to Bestlink College on Jan. 28 for allegedly holding an off-campus activity without submitting the necessary documents.

The show-cause order was issued after the Commission’s en banc discussed the matter. It was issued against the college for “conducting an off-campus activity without submitting the required documents” to the CHED Regional Office – National Capital Region.

Safety of students

De Vera emphasized that “ensuring students’ safety is the top priority” of the Commission when authorizing off-campus activities for higher education institutions (HEIs).

De Vera said this is specified in CHED Memorandum Order No. 9, Series of 2013, entitled “Enhanced Policies and Guidelines on Student Affairs and Services,” as amended by CMO 63, Series of 2017.

“Hence, the issue raised will be investigated with gravity and urgency, especially since this is not the first unauthorized off-campus activity conducted by the institution that has resulted in a mishap,” De Vera said.

In February 2017, CHED noted that an incident during an off-campus activity organized by Bestlink College led to 15 deaths, and 40 students were injured.

Under investigation

CHED noted that Bestlink students claimed to have experienced “severe logistical problems and safety concerns” during the activity on Jan. 26.

Reportedly, many students were “stranded for hours with no transportation” to return to Manila after the activity.
De Vera said that the CHED Commission en banc has also instructed CHED Executive Director Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro and CHED-Legal Legislative Service (LLS) Director Jerome Leynes to handle the fact-finding and investigation of the incident and respond to further inquiries.

“Rest assured that necessary sanctions will be imposed after the investigation,” De Vera added.

RELATED STORY:

https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/28/ched-investigates-unauthorized-off-campus-activity

Related Tags

Bestlink College CHED Chairman Popoy De Vera CHED
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