Negros island: The Department of Education (DepEd) and the National Police Commission (Napolcom) are collaborating to come up with a unified strategy to ensure a safe and secure learning environment in Negros Island Region (NIR).
According to Philippines News Agency, following a dialogue on July 3, DepEd-NIR Regional Director Ramir Uytico stated that a comprehensive school crisis management initiative will be immediately prepared. Education officials have been tasked to audit campus readiness and identify security gaps to guide long-term police and stakeholder interventions. "We have crafted a regional memorandum to this effect," DepEd-NIR spokesperson Almyr Caesar Dequi±a said in a news release.
On June 26, Uytico issued a regional memorandum to schools division superintendents and other concerned officials in Negros and Siquijor for the submission of complete, accurate, and updated information for the conduct of the DepEd schools security audit. This audit aims to assess the current status of security measures and provisions implemented in schools, which include closed-circuit television cameras, security personnel, access control mechanisms, metal detectors, and other safety and security interventions.
The information gathered will serve as the basis for assessment, monitoring, planning, and the development of appropriate interventions and support mechanisms to further strengthen school security efforts. During a meeting with DepEd-NIR officials, Napolcom-NIR Director Owen de Luna proposed unified campus protocols, a QR code-based incident reporting system, and regular inspection and monitoring to streamline regional schools' security. "Protecting the school community is of paramount priority with the goal of strengthening prevention and mitigation," he added.
The collaborative framework integrates key law enforcement operations to address both physical and digital threats. This will be supported by the Dial 911 system to optimize emergency response times as well as efforts to tackle cyberbullying and online child exploitation. Following the initial meeting, the DepEd and Napolcom aim to strengthen their partnership through continuous data sharing and training.
In a related development, the DepEd-NIR continues to step up its advocacy campaign for Powering Empathy, Acceptance, and Connection Everyday (PEACE) to nurture safe schools across the region. On Monday, Uytico highlighted the campaign's integration into daily school operations during his visit to Bacolod City National High School. In his message during the flag-raising ceremony, the DepEd-NIR head emphasized that "PEACE starts with the learners themselves and the choices they make every day to uphold kindness and respect on campus."
Uytico said that ensuring safe schools takes a whole-of-society approach as he acknowledged the crucial role of local government units and other stakeholders. The BCNHS students and teachers demonstrated their commitment to the advocacy through dance numbers highlighting unity, a recitation of the school's bully-free pledge, the signing of a commitment wall, and an exhibition of student-made bully-free posters.
