Student Intern Dies in Bukidnon Truck Mishap, Highlighting Safety Concerns

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — A student intern from Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) who was critically injured in the July 15 truck accident in Maramag, Bukidnon, has died, the university announced. DOrSU President Dr. Roy Ponce stated on his official social media page that the student passed away shortly after midnight Friday while undergoing treatment at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City. He added that the announcement was made with the family’s consent. “I am informed early today that past 12 midnight, our student in critical condition did not make it despite medical attention and life support,” Ponce said on Saturday. The student was among approximately 50 DOrSU interns riding in an Elf truck. They had hitched a ride from the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) at the Central Mindanao University (CMU) Dairy Farm, where they were undertaking on-the-job training. Police reported that the truck was overloaded. The drop-side of the truck suddenly gave way while it was traveling along the Lumbo–Dologon National Highway in Maramag, causing dozens of students riding at the back to fall onto the road. Days prior, the university had reported that nine students were hospitalized following the accident, including the one who later died. Dr. Ponce clarified online misinformation, stating that the students were not traveling from the DOrSU campus in Davao Oriental to Bukidnon. Instead, they had just completed an OJT-related presentation in Maramag and were on their way back to their boarding house. They hitched a ride on the truck due to heavy rain and limited public transportation. The university extended its condolences to the bereaved family and pledged to continue providing assistance to the affected students and their families.