3 Antipolo school heads ordered to explain congestion on campus

MANILA, Philippines —  Three school principals in Antipolo City have been ordered to explain the massive crowd of parents and students  that gathered around the school premises in Barangay Sta. Cruz  during the first two days of classes, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

Due to the congestion, 22 students reportedly suffered dizziness and difficulty in breathing, five of them were rushed to hospitals.

In a memorandum, DepEd Antipolo School Superintendent Lerma Flandez directed the principals of the Antipolo National High School (ANHS), Sta. Cruz Elementary School and Antipolo City Senior High School to submit a written explanation.

Antipolo Mayor Casimiro Ynares III said he ordered an investigation into the incident, noting a local policy on the entry and exit points in schools, and rerouting of vehicles to prevent traffic.

Ynares said the policy was approved by concerned school officials and the DepEd. He said it seemed the policy was not followed on Monday and Tuesday.

Based on reports, a Parents-Teachers Association meeting at the ANHS drew a massive attendance.

“We have almost 12,000 students in ANHS alone. The number was doubled or tripled, that’s why there was a huge crowd at the time,” Ynares said.

He said the school failed to inform the city government and the barangay about the event.

“The event coincided with the change between the morning and afternoon shifts. Thousands experienced difficulty in entering and going out of the school,” Ynares said.