Netizen Slams Karen Davila for Blaming DOT, LGU Over Son’s Accident in Siargao

This Good Friday, March 30, ABS-CBN broadcast journalist Karen Davila shared the details of the accident her son went through while surfing at Isla Cabana in Siargao. In her lengthy Facebook post, she also blamed the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the local government unit (LGU). A day later, a Filipino netizen reacted and slammed Davila.

Loading...

According to Davila, she, her husband, and their two sons (David and Lucas) went to Isla Cabana, in Siargao last Wednesday, March 28, so their sons could go surfing. She said two surfing instructors, Junrey Taoy and Jocol Valerio guided her sons, noting that said she explained to them that David is sporty, but is autistic and needs special attention.

“What got me very angry was Jocol Valerio, the trainer - suddenly disappeared! My husband said after showing him the sari sari store where to buy the Betadine, cotton and gauze, he left them. No one was there to assist my husband or my son who was bleeding! No nurse, no first aid, NO ONE.” Davila wrote, as caption for photos of her wounded son.

“At the municipal hospital in Dapa, there were no tetanus vaccines available. Mildred had to ask Junrey, Lucas’ trainer to take his motorcycle and buy Tetanus Toxoid & Tetanus Immunoglobin Vaccines, antibiotics and painkillers prescribed by the doctor.” Davila said further, emphasizing that there were no enough medicines in the hospital.



“Now, let me make it clear. I am well aware, accidents happen anywhere in the world. Surfing is an extreme sport. But so is skiiing, bungy jumping, paragliding, diving....but accidents can be prevented. And they are in many tourist destinations by putting safety measures and first responders in place.” The 47-year old ANC Headstart host noted.

Davila said that the next day, she went to General Luna Mayor Jaime Rusillon and told him the problems they experienced after the accident. She said that the mayor told me that Dapa is a “5th class municipality and that they lack doctors, and are not ready for the influx of tourists.” Then, she blamed the DOT, as well as the concerned LGU.

“But wasn’t P1.2 BILLION allocated for Siargao to improve infrastructure to boost tourism? Wasn’t a multi-million sports complex built?! All this infra and Siargao can’t afford to professionalize its trainers, put full time first aid clinic and life guard for tourists to support the VERY industry that put its name on the map?.” Karen Davila wrote.

Must Read: Duterte Orders Immediate Closure of Resorts Without Nurse, First Aid Medicines

Meanwhile, a netizen slammed Karen Davila for pointing fingers at the DOT and LGU over her son’s accident. He also emphasized that it’s her responsibility as a mother to make sure that her son is safe, especially that she needs special attention. In addition, he said that she should have checked the area before she allowed her son to go surfing.

Contributed by Renato Pasayao

Loading...