Amid recent reports of violence in schools, Marikina City Mayor Maan Teodoro urged qualified professionals to apply for full-time guidance counselor positions to strengthen mental health care and support for students in the city’s public schools.

“Hinihikayat po natin ang mga qualified professionals na mag-apply bilang full-time counselors para punan ang kakulangan ng full-time mental health practitioners sa ating mga pampublikong paaralan (We encourage qualified professionals to apply as full-time counselors to fill the need for full-time mental health practitioners in our public schools),” the mayor said.

“Sa panahon ngayon, kailangan ng ating mga kabataang mag-aaral ng tutulong at gagabay sa kanila (Nowadays, our young students need someone who can help and guide them),” she added.

The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Office (SDO) of Marikina City recently announced 31 vacancies for School Counselor Associate I positions. The new hires will be assigned to Marikina’s 33 public schools—17 elementary and 16 secondary schools.

Teodoro said hiring more school counselors is part of the ongoing efforts of the city government to prevent crime and protect students on campus.

“Gusto natin na mas maging proactive tayo sa pagprotekta sa well-being ng ating mga mag-aaral (We want to be more proactive in protecting the well-being of our students) to ensure that our schools here in Marikina remain as safe havens for the youth to study and learn,” she explained.

She noted the need to strengthen schools’ capacity to support learners’ mental health needs on campus.

“We hope that hiring more counselors in schools will help contribute to a more compassionate and nurturing environment, and improve the mental and emotional health of students,” Teodoro continued.

The city's Schools Division Superintendent, Alejandro Ibañez said the school counselor associates’ primary role will be to develop intervention programs such as addressing deviant behavior tendencies and other kinds of behavioral problems, and identifying early signs of mental health problems among students.

They will also work closely with teachers and other non-teaching staff to facilitate student development and address students’ concerns, helping identify behavioral red flags and prevent potential violent incidents from escalating.

“Kailangan po ng guidance counselors dahil ang gumagawa niyan ngayon ay mga designated guidance teachers lang (We need guidance counselors because those currently handling these responsibilities are only designated guidance teachers),” Ibañez said.

“May teaching load po sila pero bawas dahil designated sila as guidance teachers. So dapat ang mag-handle niyan ay ‘yung professionals talaga (They still have teaching loads, although these are reduced because they are designated as guidance teachers. So these responsibilities should be handled by trained professionals),” he added.

As of Monday, Aug. 24, 16 applicants had already submitted their applications, while the local government hoped more would apply to fill all open positions.

Since July, the local government has already increased police and Office of Public Safety and Security (OPSS) personnel deployment and provided metal detectors in public and private schools to improve campus security and provide greater peace of mind to students, parents, teachers, and school communities.

However, the mayor stressed that protecting students and faculty goes beyond physical security and emergency protocols, emphasizing the need for cooperation among school communities and families.

“As leaders, teachers, mentors, and the adults in children’s lives who they look up to and emulate, we must set good examples and instill good values at home, in school, and within our communities. We must work together to create and foster support systems that engage with learners, especially those who need extra support and care,” she said.

DepEd Marikina said interested applicants may apply through this link.