The local government of Quezon City is looking to pursue legal action against a local college following significant safety lapses during an off-campus Foundation Day event last Jan. 26 in Hermosa, Bataan.

During an oversight committee hearing, city officials raised concerns about the welfare of more than 25,000 high school and college students who participated in the event, citing insufficient safety measures, a lack of medical preparedness, and logistical failures that left many students stranded for hours.

Vice Mayor Gian Sotto criticized the school for its poor coordination with local authorities and failure to implement a comprehensive safety plan.

According to reports, only six ambulance units were available for the massive crowd, while transportation delays forced some students to walk long distances under extreme heat, leading to cases of exhaustion and dehydration.

Testimonies from parents and students, along with viral social media posts, detailed instances of fainting and distress due to the lack of proper arrangements.

Meanwhile, Maj. Phoe Pangan Jr. of the Hermosa Municipal Police Station disclosed that organizers initially informed authorities that 17,000 students would attend, but the number was revised to 25,000 just a day before the event, straining local resources.

Mayor Joy Belmonte strongly condemned the school’s response to the incident, particularly its dismissal of the students’ concerns as “fake news.”

“It is both irresponsible and insensitive to dismiss students’ legitimate concerns as fake news,” Belmonte stated.

“This incident could have been avoided had they prioritized the safety and welfare of their students. I urge the school administration to hold themselves accountable instead of blaming and threatening students who dared to speak up,” she added.

Sotto also addressed parents' concerns about the financial burden of frequent field trips and stressed the need to balance educational opportunities with student safety.

“We empathize with the parents of these students. We know that no parent wants to put their child in harm’s way,” Sotto said.

Additionally, Majority Floor Leader Councilor Dorothy “Doray” Delarmente urged the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to review its policies on large-scale non-curricular activities to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In response to the incident, the Quezon City Government is exploring legal avenues to hold the institution accountable while drafting new policies to regulate large-scale student activities, especially those requiring travel outside the city.

The proposed guidelines aim to enforce stricter safety protocols, improve coordination with local authorities, and ensure institutional accountability for the welfare of students.