Quezon City strengthens school safety, emergency protocols

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has launched a new safety framework to strengthen the prevention of and response to violence and other threats in schools.

Developed in partnership with the Department of Education and the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), the QC Safe Schools Whole-of-Community Framework brings together schools, law enforcement, barangays, families and community partners to ensure the safety of students within and outside their classrooms.

It establishes clear roles and coordinated response mechanisms to address bullying, discrimination, violence, illegal drug use, gang recruitment, unsafe online behavior and other risks to safety and well-being.

“Every learner has the right to feel safe, respected and protected while they are in school,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

“Through QC Safe Schools, we are uniting schools, families, barangays, law enforcement and community partners to prevent harm, strengthen reporting and response systems and ensure that protecting every child is a shared responsibility,” she added.

Under the framework, the city government will lead policy support, inter-agency coordination, learner protection programs and referral mechanisms.

The QCPD will provide police visibility, crime prevention, child-sensitive interventions and case coordination, while schools will implement child protection policies, confidential reporting, counseling and timely intervention.

Barangays committed to strengthen school-community safety, emergency preparedness and referral systems, with civil society organizations providing psychosocial, legal, educational and other specialized support.

Parents and families will also receive training to recognize warning signs and reinforce positive values among the youth.

City hall said it has developed a school safety and emergency response guide to help schools respond to security threats and emergencies as it introduced the Identify, Avoid, Deny, Defend or IADD Protocol, which provides practical steps for students and school personnel to protect themselves and others during active threats.

“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.