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“A strong foundation is the secret to every lasting work. We build not just a structure, but safety and future for our community.”

STATEMENT OF THE GOVERNOR ON SCHOOL-RELATED VIOLENCE

The recent incidents of violence that occurred within and around school campuses are deeply disturbing and serve as a stark reminder of our shared responsibility to protect our children.

Schools are meant to be places of learning, growth, and opportunity. They should be environments where students feel safe, respected, and free to pursue their education without fear. For this reason, I urge all school heads, administrators, and management of both public and private educational institutions to remain vigilant and steadfast in their commitment to maintaining safe and secure campuses.

Ensuring the safety of our learners requires more than policies and protocols. It calls for active leadership and close coordination with parents, local government units, law enforcement agencies, and the entire community to ensure students' safety. Together, we must foster a culture of discipline, respect, responsibility, and nonviolence among our youth.

The welfare of our students is a responsibility that we all share. Let us continue working together to ensure that our schools remain places where young people can learn, develop their potential, and build their future in an environment of safety and security.

May God continue to bless and protect our youth.

Gov. Lacson Calls for Unified Effort to Secure Schools

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has issued a strong appeal to stakeholders across the province, expressing deep alarm over recent incidents of violence occurring inside and near school campuses and emphasizing that protecting learners is a shared responsibility.

In an official statement released Tuesday, the governor described the incidents as deeply disturbing, noting that they serve as a clear reminder of the urgent need to strengthen safeguards for the youth.

"Schools are meant to be sanctuaries of learning, growth, and opportunity — places where students should feel safe, respected, and free to focus on their education without fear or threat,” Lacson said.

He urged all school heads, administrators, and management teams of both public and private educational institutions to remain vigilant and strictly enforce security measures.

"Having policies and protocols in place is not enough; what matters is consistent implementation and constant watchfulness to prevent any untoward incident from happening,” he pointed out.

Lacson added that ensuring student safety requires a whole‑community approach.

It demands active leadership, close coordination with parents and guardians, collaboration with local government units, and strong partnership with law enforcement agencies, the governor said.

"We must work hand in hand to nurture a culture of discipline, mutual respect, accountability, and non‑violence among our young people,” he added.

The governor reiterated that the welfare and future of the province’s learners rest on the commitment of every sector.

"The safety of our children is not the duty of schools alone — it belongs to all of us. Let us continue to unite our efforts so that our schools remain secure environments where every student can develop their talents, pursue their dreams, and build a bright future,” he also said.

He closed his message with a prayer: “May God continue to bless, guide, and protect our youth as they walk the path of learning and development.”• (PNV)

“Nindot nga kabuntagun sa tanang kabarangay! Salamat sa Ginoo sa bag-ong adlaw. Hinaot pun-on sa panalangin, kalinaw, ug bag-ong paglaum ang inyong panimalay.”

Mapayapang gabi po sa inyong lahat. Ipahinga ang pagod ng maghapon, at magising nang may bagong lakas at pag-asa bukas.