NORSU mourns student-intern killed in Bayawan crash

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Oriental State University said it will coordinate with the Bayawan City government and work with local authorities to ensure a thorough investigation of a road accident that killed one of its students, who was among nine people who died in the Feb. 4 crash.

The university, in a statement, mourned the death of Warren Arseñas, a fourth-year student of the College of Industrial Technology at NORSU’s Bayawan-Sta. Catalina Campus, who was assigned to complete on-the-job training under the Agricultural Engineering Unit of the Bayawan City government.

The school said the on-the-job training program was established through a memorandum of agreement between NORSU and the local government unit that outlined the roles, duties and responsibilities of both parties.

Before deploying students, the College of Industrial Technology said it conducted an orientation for parents and students on the on-the-job training program to ensure proper preparation and understanding of the process, which Arseñas also completed.

The NORSU administration offered condolences and solidarity to the bereaved family and said it has extended support and assistance to Arseñas’ family.

The College of Industrial Technology at the NORSU Bayawan Campus also extended condolences to the affected families.

“We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate accident involving our intern and alumni. May our thoughts and prayers bring them comfort and strength,” it said.

The Commission on Higher Education in the Negros Island Region is also looking into the case involving the student-intern.

Eight government workers assigned to the City Agriculture Office–Engineering Division of Bayawan City and the student-intern were killed after a mini-dump truck they were riding in fell off a cliff and landed near a river in Barangay Kalamtukan after delivering gasoline to heavy equipment in a remote village, authorities said.

Initial reports said the truck may have lost control while approaching a downhill stretch of road due to a possible mechanical failure, but police continue to investigate.