In a nationwide push to reinforce secure, inclusive, and protective environments for learners, Education Secretary Sonny Angara led the official kickoff of the National School Safety Week at Cainta Elementary School.
The launch convened key national agencies, local government officials, school administrators, and parents to form a united front to bolster prevention mechanisms against school violence, bullying, and online exploitation.
Secretary Angara emphasized that campus safety and learner protection are foundational requirements for quality education and overall learner well-being, while expressing gratitude to partner agencies and organizations and local government units for their support and involvement.
A program highlight was the ceremonial signing and recitation of the Panata ng Buong Komunidad para sa Mas Ligtas na Paaralan, led by Secretary Angara alongside local government leaders, law enforcement officials, school administrators, and learner representatives.
National School Safety Week runs from October 12 to 16, 2026, across all public schools and Community Learning Centers nationwide, featuring integrated safety lessons, emergency hotline awareness, and peer support frameworks.
The community pledge binds education stakeholders to a shared commitment to protect every child’s safety, health, and welfare while standing firmly against bullying, violence, discrimination, and abuse.
The pledge states in part: “Bilang bahagi ng isang nagkakaisang komunidad, nangangako kaming pangangalagaan ang bawat bata, ang kanilang kaligtasan, kalusugan, at kapakanan. Nangangako kaming itataguyod ang mga paaralang ligtas, mapagkalinga, at nagbibigay-galang sa dignidad ng bawat bata.”
“Maninindigan kami laban sa bullying, karahasan, diskriminasyon, at anumang uri ng pang-aabuso. Makikinig kami sa mga bata, igagalang ang kanilang tinig, at tutugon sa kanilang mga pangangailangan. Gagabayan at poprotektahan namin ang mga bata laban sa anumang panganib, sa loob at labas ng paaralan.”
Highlighting the scope of shared responsibility, Angara noted that safeguarding children extends far beyond the school gates and requires active collaboration between institutions and families.
“We deal with it as a community. We are not powerless. Marami tayong magagawa. Marami tayong tools at our disposal para bigyan ng lunas ang suliraning ito ng ating paaralan pero kailangan magsama-sama tayo bilang isang komunidad na nagmamahal sa ating mga anak at concerned sa kanilang future,” Secretary Angara emphasized.
Angara pointed out that many of those committing acts of violence are young and impressionable individuals who were led astray after being influenced or recruited online.
“We deal with it as a community. We are not powerless. Marami tayong magagawa. Marami tayong tools at our disposal.”
“Kaya mula ngayon, kaya tayo nag-panata para sa kaligtasan ng paaralan, dahil babantayan na nating mabuti ang ating mga anak. Aalamin na natin kung sino ang kausap nila, kung sino nakakasama nila, maging online man o sa pisikal na pakikisalamuha,” Angara said.
The National School Safety Week also features the school-level implementation of DepEd’s Kaagapay Program, engaging 200 parent-participants from Cainta Elementary School in intensive sessions designed to bridge family life and campus safety.
The Kaagapay Program equips parents and caregivers with practical tools and approaches focusing on four key areas: socio-emotional and values support, positive discipline and behavior guidance, bullying awareness and response, and home-school-community partnership.
Angara highlighted the role of the Kaagapay Program in deepening ties between school communities and families, noting that the engagement addresses critical, urgent conversations on campus safety beyond academic performance.
Sessions at Cainta Elementary School tackled critical modern challenges including parenting in the digital age through online risks, digital parenting tools, DepEd reporting protocols under Department Order No. 006, s. 2026 or the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE), and empowering parents through knowledge sharing and focus group discussions.
The National School Safety Week runs from October 12 to 16, 2026, across all public schools and Community Learning Centers nationwide, featuring integrated safety lessons, emergency hotline awareness, and peer support frameworks.
