SENATOR Mark Villar personally visited the Grade 8 student who remains under medical care after sustaining multiple stab wounds in a violent assault that occurred shortly after classes near Las Piñas National High School.

During the visit, Villar checked on the student’s condition and extended assistance to the victim’s family, while expressing hope for the child’s full recovery.

“I personally visited the victim to check on his condition and extend assistance to the family. We continue to pray for his speedy and complete recovery,” Villar said.

The senator described the incident as a wake-up call for society to address the growing problem of youth violence, stressing that every child deserves a safe and supportive environment where they can learn, grow, and pursue their dreams.

“We cannot allow violence among our youth to become the norm. Together, we must end the culture of violence and replace it with a culture of care, respect, and compassion,” he said.

Villar emphasized that preventing similar incidents requires more than just strengthening security measures.

He said schools and communities must also enhance mental health services, guidance counseling, and youth intervention programs to address the challenges faced by vulnerable children before they lead to violent behavior.

“We need to further strengthen our mental health, guidance counseling, and youth intervention programs. We must guide our young people, listen to their struggles, and provide them with the support and opportunities they need to avoid the path of violence,” he added.

The senator also renewed his call for the immediate passage of his proposed Students’ Guidance Counseling Act, which seeks to strengthen school-based mental health programs and expand access to licensed guidance counselors, psychologists, school social workers, and psychosocial support services in educational institutions nationwide.

Villar said stronger mental health and guidance programs would help young people make better decisions and build brighter futures. He added that parents, teachers, government agencies, and communities share the responsibility of ensuring that every child grows up in a safe, nurturing, and hopeful environment.