SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian marked National Safe Kids Week with a renewed call to make all schools safe, nurturing, and free from bullying.

In a statement, Gatchalian stressed that bullying and abuse should have no place in the school experience of Filipino children.

“I join the country in celebrating National Safe Kids Week. As we mark this occasion, I reiterate my call for stronger and more coherent action against bullying in our schools,” he said.

“Hindi na dapat maging bahagi ng karanasan sa paaralan ang pambu-bully at pang-aapi,” he added.

The senator urged both public and private education stakeholders to double down on safety initiatives and adopt a holistic approach in fostering a culture of care, empathy, and discipline in schools.

“Moving forward, we need to sustain and strengthen efforts—mobilizing parents, teaching Good Manners and Right Conduct, installing more CCTVs, deploying more Guidance Designates, and hiring additional security personnel, among others,” he said.

Gatchalian has long advocated for initiatives that promote students’ physical and mental well-being, particularly through values education and school-based interventions.

He emphasized that anti-bullying campaigns must go beyond slogans and be embedded in daily school culture and operations.

“Let’s create schools where children can learn without fear,” he added.

National Safe Kids Week is observed annually to promote child safety and well-being in homes, communities, and schools.

Gatchalian’s message adds urgency to ongoing efforts to ensure that educational institutions remain safe spaces conducive to learning, growth, and emotional development.

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