MANILA, February 24, 2013-Senator Edgardo J. Angara called on the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to impose a moratorium on field trips in light of a bus accident in Tuba, Benguet which has since claimed the lives of several students and faculty members from Marinduque State College (MSC).
The 31 tourism students and two teachers from MSC, including two tour guides, were on the Baguio leg of a three-day Manila-Ilocos-Baguio educational tour, when their bus driver lost control and collided with two other vehicles.
Seven fatalities have since been reported, with the remaining currently hospitalized at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for critical injuries.
“Our prayers are with the families of those who figured in this tragic accident.” said Angara, Chair of the Senate Committee on Educations, Arts and Culture. “But this kind of field trip, though it may help domestic tourism, does not necessarily help the study of tourism.”
The veteran lawmaker said that such educational tours are often very expensive, costing an average of P5,000 to P10,000 per student.
He added that trips to hotels, restaurants and other hospitality institutions within the province or region of the school can still provide educational value to tourism students.
“Field trips must be conducted without endangering the lives of students and imposing high financial burden on their families. I urge CHED to issue a moratorium until there is devised a more reasonable set of criteria for allowing such trips,” emphasized the former UP President. (Rikka Sotto)
