“Train up a child in the way he should go.”

Proverbs 22:6 offers wisdom on raising children, regardless of race, religion, or family background.

It can be translated as, “Train up a child according to his own will,” serving as a caution to parents that allowing children to rule themselves or to follow only their own desires will lead to habits they won’t break as adults.

To Catholic parents: When your children were baptized, you promised to raise and mold them into good Christians.

As Catholics, we are to raise our children well, ensure that they receive an education,and guide them until they reach adulthood.

We have witnessed cases of violent bullying circulating online, the killing of a minor in Natonin, shootings, stabbings and many other disturbing incidents involving young people.

While not all cases are the same and each must be judged based on its own facts, these events raise serious concerns about juvenile delinquency, accountability, parental supervision and the effectiveness of existing interventions.

The increasing frequency of such incidents has led many people to question whether current laws and policies are still adequate to address today’s realities.

While children must be protected and given opportunities for rehabilitation, society must also ensure that victims receive justice and that communities remain safe.

These incidents should serve as a wake-up call not only for lawmakers but also for parents, schools, communities and government agencies to strengthen values formation, mental health support, discipline and accountability among the youth.

Protecting children should not mean ignoring the rights of victims. The challenge is finding a balance among compassion, rehabilitation, accountability and justice.

Protecting the welfare and future of children remains important, but the rights of victims and their families must also be given equal consideration. Any review of the law should carefully balance the principles of rehabilitation, accountability, public safety and the rights of victims.

Meanwhile, Senator Mark Villar renewed his call to strengthen mental health awareness in schools, stressing that investing in the emotional and psychological well-being of students is key to preventing future tragedies and building safer learning environments.

The senator issued the statement following recent incidents involving minors that have raised national concern and prompted investigations into the factors contributing to school-related violence.

Villar underscored the need to strengthen campus-based support systems, noting that schools should not only impart knowledge but also help students navigate personal, emotional and social challenges.

To advance this objective, the senator cited his proposed Senate Bill 2133, or the Students Guidance and Counseling Act, which seeks to strengthen guidance and counseling programs in educational institutions by ensuring an adequate number of qualified guidance personnel, expanding access to mental health services and institutionalizing preventive intervention programs for students.

Villar reiterated that promoting students’ mental well-being requires a collective effort by families, schools, mental health professionals, local communities and government agencies.