CITY OF MALOLOS — Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando has called for heightened vigilance and stronger collaboration among schools, local government units, parents, and communities amid growing concerns of school violence reported across the country especially the shooting incident happened in Tacloban recently.
Fernando emphasized that ensuring the safety of students requires not only tighter security measures inside schools but also closer monitoring of young people’s exposure to social media and online content.
“Unang-una, kailangan po nating bantayan ang paggamit ng mga kabataan ng social media at iba’t ibang gadgets, bantayan po natin ang kanilang partisipasyon dito. Nakikita naman po natin ngayon kung gaano kalawak at kalaya ang access nila sa makabagong teknolohiya tulad ng cellphone, laptop, at iba pang digital devices, kaya mahalagang mabigyan sila ng tamang gabay at pagmomonitor upang maiwasan ang masasamang impluwensya,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, in response to the recent incidents, the governor said the Provincial Government of Bulacan will hold meetings with Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), barangay officials, school administrators, and other stakeholders to strengthen security measures and preventive programs in schools and communities.
“Uunahin po natin ang mga Liga ng Barangay sa pangunguna ni Bokal Fortunato SJ. Angeles na ating representante ng mga kapitan, mga pinuno ng ating mga eskwelahan sa pangunguna ni Dra. Cecilia E. Valderama na Schools Division Superintendent, at ang mga pinuno ng iba’t ibang klase ng paaralan tungkol diyan,” he added.
He also highlighted the important role of teachers, PTA officers, barangay leaders, and barangay tanods in maintaining peace and order, especially given the limited number of police personnel available to cover the province’s many schools.
Because of this, he encouraged stronger cooperation from volunteer groups, non-government organizations, and civic organizations to support peacekeeping and youth protection efforts.
“Mahalaga po ang pagtutulungan ng komunidad, barangay, paaralan at mga kapulisan kaya kinakailangan pong paigtingin ng mga barangay ang pakikipagtulungan sa mga barangay tanod, gayundin sa mga multipliers tulad ng Bulacan Task Force, Kabalikat, at iba pang non-government organizations upang sama-samang mabigyang-pansin ang seguridad at kapayapaan sa ating mga paaralan. Hindi lamang po sa loob ng eskwelahan dapat nakatuon ang pagbabantay, kundi maging sa buong komunidad,” he explained.
Fernando further appealed to parents to strengthen discipline and guidance at home to prevent young people from being influenced by drugs, harmful peer groups, and other negative activities that may lead to violence.
He underscored the importance of responsible parenting and active involvement in children’s upbringing, saying that discipline and guidance remain essential in shaping responsible and respectful youth. (UnliNews Online)
