The drowning deaths of two Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes in Aurora have renewed calls for stricter safety standards in school-sanctioned sports and team-building activities nationwide.
Members of the so-called “House Young Guns” said the deaths of Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia should lead to institutional reforms that would protect student-athletes during off-campus activities, training programs, and team events.
The lawmakers expressed condolences to the families, friends, coaches, teammates, and the Ateneo community, saying the incident exposed the need to review how schools and sports programs assess risks and supervise young athletes outside campus.
“We mourn the untimely loss of these two promising young athletes whose lives were cut short while participating in what should have been a safe and enriching activity,” the group said.
The lawmakers said they would file a House resolution directing concerned agencies to examine existing safety protocols, emergency preparedness measures, supervision standards, and risk assessment procedures for school and sports-related activities.
They said the inquiry should determine not only what happened in the Aurora incident, but also whether current rules are strong enough to prevent similar tragedies.
“As champions of sports development for the Filipino youth, we have both the privilege and the responsibility to promote athletic excellence while ensuring the safety and welfare of every student-athlete,” the group said.
The planned resolution seeks to establish whether gaps exist in the way schools prepare for team-building activities, especially those held near bodies of water or in areas that may pose safety risks.
The lawmakers said the findings could serve as the basis for new legislation or amendments to existing policies covering school, sports, and team-building activities.
“Our objective is to institutionalize stricter safety standards for all school, sports, and team-building activities nationwide, so that no other family will have to endure this kind of preventable loss,” they said.
They also urged concerned national government agencies to act swiftly in determining accountability and ensuring justice for the families of Adili and Baterbonia.
The lawmakers said the tragedy should push institutions to treat student-athlete safety as a central responsibility, not a secondary concern, as schools continue to promote sports development and youth participation.