MANILA – Students from Bestlink Colleges of the Philippines in Quezon City faced a dangerous situation during their field trip to Hermosa, Bataan, when transportation issues left them stranded in the mountains.

Parents of the students reported that the group had to walk for two hours through a dark and rugged mountainous area after no bus arrived to pick them up and bring them back to Quezon City. Many students struggled with exhaustion and hunger, and some even fainted from the ordeal.

Local ambulances from Hermosa responded promptly, providing first aid to the affected students. The local government of Quezon City later issued a statement urging schools to take greater responsibility in planning and coordinating field trips. They emphasized the importance of following proper safety protocols to avoid such incidents in the future.

Parents have expressed their anger and disappointment, taking to social media to voice their concerns. As of now, Bestlink Colleges has not issued an official statement regarding the incident.

This is the second field trip-related accident involving the school, with the first occurring in 2017 in Tanay, Rizal, where 15 people tragically lost their lives.

ia/mnm

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Playing like “Santa Claus” House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo took a “habal-habal” (motorcycle-for-rent) ride to reach the far-flung IP (indigenous people) Barangay Biniritan in Bataan to personally deliver much needed cash assistance this Christmas season.

A short video clip posted on Facebook shows Tulfo riding on the back of a motorcycle on his way to the IP community, with the caption: “First habal-habal ride. First backride going to IP territory.”

“Pakiusap lamang po namin na sana gastahin ng tama ang P5,000 cash assistance na ibinigay po sa inyo kanina ng DSWD dahil PERA PO NG TAUMBAYAN YAN NA KINALTAS SA KANILANG MGA SAHOD BILANG BUWIS,” Tulfo quipped in a Facebook post.

It was learned that the aid distribution was made possible in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which he once headed.

Tulfo assured the IPs that they have not been forgotten or neglected by the government.

However, the ACT-CIS party-list lawmaker underscored the importance of birth registration for their inclusion in the government’s social protection programs.

To recall, when Tulfo was DSWD chief, the social welfare department launched a special project to include IPs in the national registry of birth last year.

The document will help the IPs access government programs and services.

“Salamat po sa DSWD R3, sa PNP Morong at sa mga barangay officials ng Bgy. Biniritan. God bless you all po,” Tulfo said.

He also promised to return to Bataan with additional assistance to address the needs of the IPs.

Tulfo neither confirmed nor denied rumors that he will run for vice president in tandem with Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez who is expected to be the PBBM administration standard bearer in 2028.

(IA/MNM)