The fatal school shooting in Tacloban City has prompted education officials in Central Visayas to push for a broader approach to student safety, emphasizing that protecting children requires the involvement of families, communities, local governments, and law enforcement—not just schools.
For Department of Education (DepEd) 7 Regional Director Dr. Arturo Bayocot, preventing similar incidents goes beyond stricter inspections and additional security personnel.
“Let us remember, it takes the entire village to educate, protect, and nurture the child,” Bayocot said in an interview.
His statement came as DepEd 7 prepared to meet with school division superintendents and regional officials to discuss the Tacloban incident and review existing policies aimed at safeguarding learners and school personnel.
Bayocot described the shooting as an isolated case but stressed that schools should remain vigilant against potential threats.
“I would even say that’s an isolated case but that does not exempt anyone or any school in the entire country. So we really have to be very sensitive about it,” he said.
According to Bayocot, schools across Central Visayas have already been implementing a “360-degree initiative” aimed at creating safe and learner-friendly environments.
“Our primordial concern in the Department of Education is really safety and security of our school children,” he said.
He noted that schools have adopted various security measures depending on available resources, including the deployment of security personnel and stricter monitoring procedures.
Still, Bayocot emphasized that safety concerns cannot be addressed through security measures alone.
“Alam mo naman yung mga estudyante, dapat talaga kausapin,” he said.
The regional director highlighted the importance of guidance, mentorship, and values formation, stressing that education extends beyond academic instruction.
“Because values are not taught, they are caught,” Bayocot said.
“It is necessary to see if the implementation of the values learned is really shown into the actual demonstration of the values.”
Bayocot also underscored the need for stronger collaboration among different sectors of society.
“DepEd is just there, but it really needs a support system from all sectors of the community,” he said.
The call for collective action was echoed by Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, who expressed concern over the impact of the Tacloban tragedy on parents and students.
“Parents think that students are safe in school but about what happened in Tacloban it’s really shocking,” Baricuatro said.
In response, the governor directed the Cebu Provincial Police Office to study and implement additional security measures in schools across the province.
Among the measures being considered are increased police visibility, regular inspections, intensified patrol operations, and closer monitoring of fraternities, sororities, and gangs.
Baricuatro also ordered the convening of the Provincial Peace and Order Council to discuss strategies aimed at strengthening school safety and preventing violence among young people.
The governor likewise urged parents and communities to closely monitor children’s activities online, warning that hostility on social media can influence behavior.
“Bantayan jud nato ang atong mga bata, especially in social media karon,” she said.
“The atmosphere is angry kaayo, especially sa presence aning trolls ba. It’s creating an atmosphere of animosity in social media.”
Photo by Kaiser Jan Fuentes
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