This is to respond to reports on the off-campus activity organized by the Bestlink College of the Philippines.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) would like to emphasize that ensuring students’ safety is the top priority of the Commission when authorizing off-campus activity of higher education institutions (HEIs). 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.

In February 2017, an incident during an off-campus activity organized by Bestlink College led to 15 deaths, and 40 students were injured. Seemingly, compliance with the rules and guidelines set forth by the Commission was not taken seriously. Consequently, the Commission issued new guidelines under CMO 63, series of 2017.

Last Sunday, Bestlink students claimed to have experienced severe logistical problems and safety concerns, with many students stranded for hours with no transportation to go back to Manila during the activity.

The CHED Commission en banc yesterday discussed the matter. A show cause order has been issued today against Bestlink College for conducting off-campus activity without submitting the required documents with CHEDRO NCR.

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 from the media.

Rest assured that necessary sanctions will be imposed after the investigation.

Secretary

Commission on Higher Education