33 PSU students say they are ok
LINGAYEN—Thirty-three students of Pangasinan State University (PSU) signed a sworn joint affidavit saying they have not encountered any problems or issues when they had their on-the-job training (OJT) in a pharmaceutical company in Canlubang, Laguna.
The signatories are Bachelor of Science in Business Administration students executed the affidavit on June 1 after one of their schoolmates, Dharel dela Cruz, who also underwent OJT training in similar company, claimed to have fallen ill after being exposed to chemicals.
The affiants’ affidavit would belie earlier reports that they were forced to work in the said company, saying it was them who voluntarily requested PSU “to endorse us to our chosen company, Interphil Laboratory located in Canlubang, Laguna where we will have our on the job training equivalent to 400 hours.”
The students said their respective guardians gave their full consent and support to have their OJT in that company where they “voluntarily and freely assumed the work, duties and responsibilities given to us by the Interphil Laboratory without any force or intimidation.”
“That we never encountered any injuries/accidents or any legal problems/issues during our said OJT, thus, we have no claim against the PSU or the Interphil Laboratory,” their affidavit also said.
The affiants are Jermar Branzuela, Noel Beltran, Quenel Flynn Camacho, Jessa Caranto, Remalyn Centino, Loriemae de Guzman, Priscila Gundayao, Karene Gutierrez, Karen Joyce Malicdem, Mildred Samera, Carmela Sarmiento, Rossana Solis, Dencio Vicente, Lyrene Sotto, Connie dela Cruz, Sherlyn Menor, Jessel Alansalon, Consuelo Torio, Cristina Torio, Michelle dela Cruz, Arianne Joy Pagsolingan, Benjamin Mabanglo, Ronick Ragas, Wennie Gutierrez, Julie Anne Mendoza, Lenilyn Perez, Jean Hermogeno, Mikee Joy Matabang, Donna Facun, Maureen Tamayo, Danica Dizon, Diane Tamayo and Richard Macaraeg,
Dr. Dexter Buted, PSU president, said students are free to choose from list of recommended companies where they would want to have their OJT. “Nowhere can you find in his report that he was exposed to chemicals,” he said.
Buted said that contrary to the Dela Cruz’s claim that he was allegedly exposed to chemicals during his OJT stint that resulted in his illness, his monthly accomplishment report from February to April, 2016 showed that his work was limited to clerical in nature like encoding company employees’ names, photocopying, answering phone calls, files compiling.
He said the students had their OJT at the first floor and the restricted area exclusively for employees is located at the third floor.
“If indeed he contracted his illness when he had his OJT, why was only he who got sick?,” Buted said.
Buted wondered why the matter, an internal problem of PSU had to be investigated by the provincial board’s ad hoc committee before he could first conduct his own investigation.
“What happened was, why am I being investigated when I am supposed to investigate people like the employees who may have a hand on this matter?,” he asked. “What is their (provincial board) jurisdiction?” he added.
Based on his initial findings, Buted said there were lapses both on the part of the students and the university employees tasked to monitor and implement their OJT program and there are a lot of rooms for improvement for the conduct of OJT which is required prior to their students’ graduation.
Meanwhile, Buted said the Dela Cruz may not be allowed to graduate, not for being a whistle blower on this concern, but due to findings of alleged falsification of documents, including his waiver that included his parent’s consent, he submitted for his OJT. (Tita Roces)
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