Keeping students safe inside and around schools will now involve a coordinated effort among education officials, police, families, and local communities in Quezon City, as the local government rolls out a new framework focused on preventing and responding to threats against learners.
The QC Safe Schools Whole-of-Community Framework was developed by the Quezon City government in partnership with the Department of Education-Schools Division Office and the Quezon City Police District. The initiative covers risks that can affect students’ safety and well-being, from bullying and discrimination to violence, illegal drug use, gang recruitment, and unsafe online behavior.
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“Every learner has the right to feel safe, respected and protected while they are in school,” Belmonte said.
“Through QC Safe Schools, we are uniting schools, families, villages, law enforcement, and community partners to prevent harm, strengthen reporting and response systems, and ensure that protecting every child is a shared responsibility,” she stressed.
Shared Roles in Protecting Learners
Rather than placing the responsibility for school safety on educators alone, the framework assigns specific responsibilities to different sectors involved in a learner’s environment.
Police units will contribute through increased visibility, crime prevention, child-sensitive interventions and coordination in cases requiring law enforcement assistance. The city government, meanwhile, will oversee policies, coordination among agencies, learner protection initiatives, and referral mechanisms.
Schools will be expected to strengthen child protection policies while providing confidential channels for reporting concerns, counseling, and timely interventions. Families will also be trained to identify warning signs and reinforce positive behavior and values at home.
Community-level participation will come through villages, which will help improve school-community security, emergency readiness, and referral systems. Civil society organizations will supplement these efforts by providing psychosocial, legal, educational, and other specialized services.
Emergency Guide Adds Practical Safety Measures
The city is also introducing the School Safety and Emergency Response Guide alongside the broader framework. The guide is intended to give schools a clearer approach when dealing with security incidents and other emergencies.
One of its key components is the I.A.D.D. Protocol, which stands for Identify, Avoid, Deny, and Defend. The protocol gives students and school personnel step-by-step actions they can follow during active threat situations.
“Teachers and school officials play a critical role in implementing these protocols, guiding students during emergencies, and coordinating with responders and parents to ensure every learner’s safety,” Belmonte said.
For emergencies and other safety concerns, QCitizens may contact the QC Helpline 122 or the national emergency hotline 911.
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