CAGAYAN de Oro City — Camiguin is expanding its school safety measures beyond gates, cameras, and security checks to address risks faced by students both inside schools and online. 

Gov. Xavier Jesus Romualdo said the provincial government has completed research on school safety and will present its findings and proposed measures during the Provincial School Board meeting next week. 

“Nag-research na ang province at mag-provincial school board meeting man mi next week. So, naa na mi’y i-discuss unsaon nato pagpa-safe sa atong mga school,” Romualdo said. 

He said the proposed approach would cover several areas of school safety, similar to disaster risk reduction and management. 

Romualdo said measures should include early detection, risk reduction, mitigation and prevention, followed by an appropriate response when an incident occurs. 

“Dili lang gyud siya about security checks sa gate, pagbutang og CCTV, pagbutang og metal detectors,” he said. 

The province’s move also considers emerging risks in digital spaces. 

National Intelligence Coordinating Agency-10 Regional Director Felix Petel Jr. discussed how online platforms can intersect with youth violence and other non-traditional security threats. 

Petel said authorities have investigated cases involving Filipino minors reportedly exposed to online communities and violent extremist content. 

He said gaming servers and social messaging platforms may expose vulnerable young people to manipulation, coercion and radicalization, particularly those experiencing loneliness, isolation or bullying. 

Petel said early identification and prevention should be prioritized, with schools, families, communities, government agencies and technology platforms working together. 

Local schools review safety measures 

The Department of Education (DepEd) Camiguin Division is coordinating with local law enforcement as it reviews school safety protocols, Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Lorebina Carrasco said.

“It takes a village to educate a child. With this particular situation, we need all the help that we can get,” Carrasco said. 

She said joint directives with the Philippine National Police will be provided to local schools, with updates to be reported to the provincial government. 

The discussions come as national efforts to strengthen school and child safety continue. 

On Sept. 21, the Senate approved the Comprehensive School Safety Act and the Sagip Bata Act, measures aimed at strengthening school safety standards and protections for children, including against online sexual abuse, grooming and digital exploitation. 

Meanwhile, Mahinog Central School conducted a simulated active-attack response drill on Sept. 3, with the Philippine National Police facilitating the exercise as part of the school’s preparedness activities. 

For Camiguin schools, officials said the broader approach is to identify risks early and strengthen coordination before emergencies happen. (With a report from Recthie Paculba of PIA-10)