Grade 2 pupil collapses on first day of classes

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

PATRICIA Montecillo Magtangob, a 10-year-old Grade 2 student at Cabangan Elementary School in Legazpi City, collapsed and vomited blood on the first day of classes.

The incident occurred during a visit by the Philippine National Police in Bicol, led by Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon, who was overseeing the safety of students on Monday as part of “Oplan Balik Eskwela 2024.”

Patricia was immediately taken to the Bicol Regional Hospital Medical Center (BRHMC) by Police Col. Julius Añonuevo, Albay’s police provincial director, for immediate medical attention. Despite efforts by the teachers to contact Patricia’s parents or guardians, no one responded to assist her.

At BRHMC, Patricia regained consciousness and revealed that her father, Anthony Ferrer Magtangob, is a single parent working as a janitor at Legazpi City Hospital. The hospital staff conducted blood, urine tests, and an X-ray to diagnose her condition.

Patricia is among the 1,219,173 students enrolled in public and private schools in the Bicol Region for the 2024-2025 school year, according to the Department of Education. Of these, 617,822 are males, and 601,351 are females. Public schools account for 1,092,731 enrolments, while private schools have 98,924, SUC/LUC has 1,430, and ALS has 26,088.

Camarines Sur has the highest number of enrolees among the six provinces in Bicol, with 295,327, followed by Albay with 188,463. In Bicol’s seven cities, Naga City leads with 62,065 enrolees, followed by Legazpi City with 46,853. Senior high school enrolments total 171,619, junior high 367,910, and elementary 550,612. The overall number of enrolees is lower than last year’s 1,733,251.

Mayflor Jumamil, DepEd Bicol public information officer, said that they expect 1,758,628 enrolees for the 2024-2025 school year, an increase of 23,377 or 1.46% from the previous year. She noted that this number is not final, as some schools are still accommodating enrolees.

“Enrolees will still be accommodated in public schools even though classes have started,” she told Bicol Mail. “It’s unfortunate for the children if there are many lessons to catch up on, and we want to cover them with our 8-week curriculum to address learning recovery.”

Jumamil urged the media to encourage parents and guardians to enrol their children, including out-of-school youth, through the Alternative Learning System (ALS). “Please help us encourage parents, guardians to enrol their school-age kids this week, as well as out-of-school youth, who can still enrol in ALS,” she said.

POLICE Col. Julius Añonuevo, Albay police provincial director carries unconscious Patricia Montecillo Magtangob, a grade 2 pupil at Cabangan Elementary School in Legazpi City. Photo courtesy of PNP Bicol public information office