The Quezon City government has launched a unified school safety framework bringing together schools, law enforcement, barangays, families and community partners to prevent and respond to violence and other threats to students.

Developed in partnership with the Department of Education Schools Division Office and the Quezon City Police District, the QC Safe Schools Whole-of-Community Framework establishes roles and coordinated response mechanisms to address bullying, discrimination, violence, illegal drug use, gang recruitment, unsafe online behavior and other risks to students' safety and well-being.

“Every learner has the right to feel safe, respected, and protected while they are in school,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

“Through QC Safe Schools, we are uniting schools, families, barangays, law enforcement, and community partners to prevent harm, strengthen reporting and response systems, and ensure that protecting every child is a shared responsibility,” she added.

Under the framework, the city government will lead policy support, interagency coordination, learner protection programs and referral mechanisms.

The Philippine National Police will provide police visibility, crime prevention, child-sensitive interventions and case coordination.

Schools will implement child protection policies, confidential reporting systems, counseling and timely interventions, while parents and families will receive training to recognize warning signs and reinforce positive values.

Barangays will strengthen school-community safety, emergency preparedness and referral systems, while civil society organizations will provide psychosocial, legal, educational and other specialized support.

The city government has also developed a School Safety and Emergency Response Guide to help schools respond to security threats and emergencies.

Central to the guide is the I.A.D.D., or Identify, Avoid, Deny, Defend, protocol, which outlines practical steps students and school personnel can take during active threats.

“Teachers and school officials play a critical role in implementing these protocols, guiding students during emergencies, and coordinating with responders and parents to ensure every learner’s safety,” Belmonte said.

Residents may report emergencies and other safety concerns through the QC Helpline 122 or the national emergency hotline 911.