Students attend the launch of the QC Safe Schools Whole-of-Community Framework, which aims to strengthen their safety and protection in schools, at the M.I.C.E. Center in Quezon City on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (Santi San Juan/MANILABULLETIN)
The Quezon City government has launched a whole-of-community framework bringing together schools, families, law enforcement, barangays, and other community partners to protect learners from violence and other threats.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte leads the launch of the QC Safe Schools Whole-of-Community Framework at the M.I.C.E. Center in Quezon City on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (Santi San Juan/MANILABULLETIN)
The QC Safe Schools Whole-of-Community Framework seeks to strengthen efforts to prevent and respond to bullying, discrimination, violence, illegal drug use, gang recruitment, unsafe online behavior, and other threats to learner safety and well-being.
Developed in partnership with the Department of Education-Schools Division Office and the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), the framework sets out the roles of various stakeholders and establishes coordinated mechanisms for addressing safety concerns in schools.
“Every learner has the right to feel safe, respected, and protected while they are in school,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
Under the framework, the city government will provide policy support, coordinate with concerned agencies, implement learner protection programs, and strengthen referral mechanisms.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will handle police visibility, crime prevention, child-sensitive interventions, and case coordination, while schools will enforce child protection policies and provide confidential reporting, counseling, and timely intervention.
Parents and families will be trained to identify warning signs and promote positive values, while barangays will help strengthen school-community safety, emergency preparedness, and referral systems.
Civil society organizations will provide psychosocial, legal, educational, and other specialized assistance when needed.
The city government has also developed a School Safety and Emergency Response Guide to help schools deal with security threats and other emergencies.
The guide features the I.A.D.D. (Identify, Avoid, Deny, Defend) Protocol, which outlines practical measures that students and school personnel can take to protect themselves and others during an active threat.
Belmonte stressed the importance of teachers and school officials in carrying out the safety measures, assisting learners during emergencies, and working with responders and parents when incidents occur.
QC residents may report emergencies and other safety concerns through the QC Helpline 122 or the national emergency hotline 911.