There is a unique kind of fear that only a parent can understand. It is the moment a child walks out the door wearing a school uniform, carrying dreams inside a backpack and we silently pray that they will return home safely. School should be a place where children discover knowledge, friendships, confidence and hope, not a place associated with fear.

The recent shooting incident involving students in Tacloban City has deeply saddened our nation. It came not long after another disturbing stabbing incident involving students in Cavite. For many families, these tragedies reopened painful questions that no parent should ever have to ask: Are our children truly safe when they leave for school?

As chairperson of the Committee on Education of the City of Las Piñas, I immediately visited CAA National High School following these recent incidents to listen to school administrators, teachers, parents and local officials. We discussed the safety measures already in place and explored additional ways to strengthen the protection of our learners. These conversations reminded me that safeguarding our children cannot rest on schools alone. It requires the steady hands of families, the watchful eyes of communities and the commitment of government working together.

This concern is deeply personal for our city. In 2025, Las Piñas mourned the heartbreaking loss of two students who were tragically stabbed outside CAA National High School. Those young lives continue to remind us that complacency is never an option. Every tragedy must become a lesson that strengthens our resolve to prevent another.

Yet alongside vigilance, we must also cultivate generosity.

Generosity is not measured only by donations or financial help. Sometimes, it is found in a teacher who notices that a quiet student has withdrawn from classmates and gently asks, “Are you alright?” It is the guidance counselor who patiently listens without judgment. It is the barangay volunteer who walks children safely across busy streets. It is the parent who makes time to know their child’s fears despite a demanding work schedule. It is the classmate who chooses kindness instead of bullying, inclusion instead of isolation.

These quiet acts of generosity often become the first line of protection for a child who may be struggling emotionally.

Our schools must continue strengthening anti-bullying programs, counseling services, psychosocial interventions and mental health support. Equally important is teaching our children empathy, respect, emotional resilience and peaceful conflict resolution. Safety is not built solely through gates, security cameras or police visibility. It is built every day through relationships that allow young people to feel heard, valued and loved.

As Daily Tribune celebrates its 26th anniversary this year, its enduring commitment to its guiding principle, “Without Fear, Without Favor,” reminds us that protecting society also means protecting the truth. A free and responsible press shines light on the issues that matter, from the safety of our schools to the welfare of our communities, encouraging accountability and inspiring action. Just as educators help shape young minds, journalists help shape an informed citizenry. Both play indispensable roles in building a safer and more compassionate nation.

Scripture reminds us in Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” When we help carry the burdens of our children, whether through guidance, encouragement, protection or simply listening, we create communities where violence finds less room to grow.

Our children deserve classrooms filled with curiosity instead of anxiety, campuses filled with friendship instead of fear and communities that protect not only their future but also their peace of mind. As Daily Tribune marks 26 years of fearless journalism, may we likewise renew our own commitment to stand without fear in protecting our children and without favor in doing what is right for every learner. Let us continue building schools where every child feels safe enough to dream, every parent feels confident enough to let go each morning and every generation grows knowing that kindness, compassion and generosity remain our strongest safeguards.