MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered key government agencies to tighten safety measures in schools nationwide following a series of deadly incidents involving students, declaring that schools must remain places of learning and hope—not fear.
In a video message released over the weekend, Marcos directed the Department of Education, the Philippine National Police, the Department of Health, and local government units to strengthen coordinated efforts to safeguard students from violence, neglect, and other threats to their well-being.
“Ang paaralan ay dapat maging lugar ng pagkatuto, pangarap at pag-unlad, hindi lugar kung saan nangamba ang mga magulang para sa kaligtasan ng kanilang mga anak,” the President said.
Marcos stressed that protecting young Filipinos must extend beyond physical security to include addressing the emotional and psychological burdens many children silently carry.
“Kailangan maprotektahan ang ating mga kabataan. Maprotektahan laban sa karahasan. Maprotektahan laban sa kapabayaan. Maprotektahan laban sa panganib. At maprotektahan laban sa mga tahimik at pinagdaraanan at pasaning dinadala ng marami sa kanila,” Marcos said.
The President instructed concerned agencies to reinforce programs and policies that would ensure the safety, welfare, and overall well-being of students across the country.
He also appealed to parents to spend more quality time with their children and encouraged teachers to continue serving not only as educators but also as mentors and trusted advisers.
“Dapat ring tiyakin ng mga paaralan na mahigpit na nasusunod ang mga panuntunan sa kaligtasan, sa loob man ng silid-aralan, sa mga field trip, training camp, o iba pang mga gawain pang eskwela,” he said.
Marcos underscored the need to restore respect for human life and strengthen values formation among the youth.
Addressing students directly, he reminded them that seeking help should never be viewed as a sign of weakness.
“Sa bawat estudyanteng nanonood ngayon, mahalaga ang inyong buhay, mahalaga ang inyong mga pinagdadaanan, at ang paghingi ng tulong ay hindi kailanman tanda ng kahinaan. Sa mga magulang naman, huwag maliitin ang halaga ng isang simpleng pag-uusap kasama ang inyong anak.”
“Minsan, ang pinakamahalagang proteksyong maibigay natin sa ating mga anak ay ang ating oras, atensyon, at pag-unawa. Sapagkat ang tunay na lakas ng ating bansa ay nakasalalay sa kaligtasan, kapakanan, at mga pangarap ng susunod na henerasyon,” he added.
The President issued the directive in the wake of several recent tragedies involving students, including the fatal shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, separate stabbing incidents in schools in Cavite, and the drowning deaths of Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building activity in Aurora.
Authorities are continuing separate investigations into the incidents./PN
