THE Department of Education-Davao Region (DepEd-Davao Region) extended its condolences for the sudden and tragic loss of a student from Sta. Ana Central Elementary School.
The student was struck by a bus on Thursday afternoon, September 28, while using the pedestrian lane at Quezon (Trading) Boulevard.
In a Facebook post on Friday morning, September 29, DepEd-Davao Region expressed its “deepest sympathy to the bereaved family.
"We pray for the eternal repose of her soul," DepEd-Davao Region said.
Davao City Division Schools Superintendent Reynante Solitario, in an interview with SunStar Davao on Saturday morning, September 30, stated that they stand in solidarity with the family of the grade 4 student during this incredibly difficult time.
He said that the safety of their learners is the department's utmost priority and that the community must collaborate to safeguard the children, whether they are at home or outside.
“We must collectively work towards preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future. We must come together, as a community, to ensure that such tragedies do not happen again. Furthermore, the Department commits to working tirelessly in creating a safer environment for all our learners,” Solitario said.
A photo shared online depicted the fourth-grade student who was recognized for her excellence in mathematics, and her qualities of being respectful, helpful, and responsible.
Meanwhile, Carly John Dupriz Condino, a teacher at Sta. Ana Elementary School, shared on Facebook that teachers and students observed a "moment of silence" in memory of the fourth-grade student.
“A moment of silence and sadness. SACES will surely miss you Shienjilyn Bangcas. Gone too soon,” Condino wrote in his caption.
Securty camera footage captured the nine-year-old student crossing the pedestrian lane along Quezon Boulevard when she was struck by a Metro Shuttle bus. She was immediately rushed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center for urgent medical attention but was declared dead by the attending physician.
The bus driver, identified as Efren C. Cerona Jr., was taken to the San Pedro Police Station.
Furthermore, in a radio interview, the student's grandfather Rizalde Cortes said his family is prepared to pursue legal action against Cerona. (RGP)