QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte revealed on Saturday that the local government has launched a school safety initiative that would unite schools, law enforcement agencies, villages, families and community partners in a coordinated effort to prevent and respond to violence and other threats within educational institutions.
Called the QC Safe Schools Whole-of-Community Framework, Belmonte said it was developed in partnership with the Department of Education-Schools Division Office and the Quezon City Police District.
The framework establishes clear roles and streamlined response mechanisms to address a wide range of risks to learner safety and well-being, including bullying, discrimination, violence, illegal drug use, gang recruitment, unsafe online behavior and other forms of harm, according to the city chief executive.
“Every learner has the right to feel safe, respected and protected while they are in school,” Belmonte said.
“Through QC Safe Schools, we are uniting schools, families, villages, law enforcement and community partners to prevent harm, strengthen reporting and response systems, and ensure that protecting every child is a shared responsibility,” she stressed.
Under the framework, each sector plays a distinct and vital role in safeguarding learners, according to the city government.
The framework will provide police visibility, crime prevention efforts, child-sensitive interventions and case coordination. Meanwhile, the city government will lead policy development, interagency coordination, learner protection programs and the referral system.
Meanwhile, schools will implement child protection policies, maintain confidential reporting mechanisms, offer counseling services and ensure timely intervention. Also, parents and families will receive training to recognize early warning signs and reinforce positive values at home.
Also, villages will strengthen school-community safety, emergency preparedness and referral networks, while civil society organizations will provide psychosocial, legal, educational and other specialized support services.
To complement the framework, Belmonte said the School Safety and Emergency Response Guide is designed to help schools respond to security threats and emergencies.
Central to the guide is the I.A.D.D. Protocol — an acronym for Identify, Avoid, Deny and Defend — provides students and school personnel with practical, step-by-step actions to protect themselves and others during active threat situations, the city government said.
“Teachers and school officials play a critical role in implementing these protocols, guiding students during emergencies and coordinating with responders and parents to ensure every learner’s safety,” Belmonte said.
For emergencies and other safety concerns, QCitizens are encouraged to contact the QC Helpline 122 or the national emergency hotline 911, she added.
