Baguio city: Parents in Baguio City are joining efforts to help ensure the safety of learners in schools through the 'Kaagapay Task Force.' Peter Wasing, president of the Federated Association of Parents-Teachers Associations in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), said the program was launched about two weeks ago and is being piloted in two schools in Baguio.

According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative involves parents volunteering to monitor school premises and ensure the safety of learners. Wasing explained that parents assist in checking the belongings of students entering the school compound. Once learners are inside, parents patrol the school premises, including comfort rooms, and report any problems they find to teachers.

At least two parents are assigned on duty at a time, wearing uniform shirts and identification cards to establish their authority in assisting the school. They also ensure that visitors and other members of the public entering the school premises are recorded in a logbook and asked to present identification to help ensure that only authorized persons enter the campus.

Wasing mentioned that the Department of Education school calendar has 201 school days. With several parents participating, each can contribute by having one duty day a year to ensure the safety of children. The program is being expanded to other schools in Baguio and Benguet, with La Union also expressing interest in implementing the initiative.

Wasing emphasized that the education and safety of children, both at home and in school, are a shared responsibility of the community, not solely of teachers and parents.