City to probe laboratory accident

CEBU - The Cebu City government will investigate why a fourth year high school student of Camp Lapu-Lapu National High School in barangay Apas suffered third degree burns while conducting an experiment during a class.

City Councilor Gerardo Carillo, chairman of the City Council committee on education, arts, culture, science and technology said that the city will shoulder the medical expenses of Christy Joy Donadillo who sustained burns to the left portions of her foot, neck, arm, forearm, leg and thigh while doing an experiment during their Chemistry class last September 17.

The councilor said the chemicals used in the experiment reportedly exploded.

“Since the accident happened in the school premises, then it is the responsibility of the school and the city government to defray the expenses,” Carillo said, adding the matter will be investigated “to get the bottom of it” and to prevent similar accidents in the future.

Although Donadillo was already discharged from Cebu Doctors’ Hospital, the city will wait for the medical abstract to refund the expenses incurred during the treatment.

Renato Villagonza, former president of the Parent’s Teachers Association, has sent a letter to the city government and Department of Education last October 2 asking for financial assistance for the student’s hospitalization.

Villagonza likewise asked for an independent investigation in aid of legislation into the accident to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

He added it is also about time that student insurance should be implemented, and maybe handled by the city government or the PTA. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/WAB (THE FREEMAN)