(Photo courtesy of the Office of Rep. Martin Romualdez)
TACLOBAN CITY — Leyte First District Rep. Martin Romualdez has proposed a regional psychosocial support network, strengthened school safety and child protection systems, and greater parental and community involvement following the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School that left three students dead and 20 others injured.
Romualdez, a former House Speaker, presented the proposals during a consultative meeting on June 30 with national government agencies, local officials, and mental health experts to discuss immediate and long-term interventions in the aftermath of what officials described as one of the country’s most serious school shooting incidents.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED), along with Tingog party-list Representatives Andrew Romualdez and Jude Acidre.
Romualdez emphasized that child protection is a shared responsibility requiring coordination across government agencies, schools, and communities.
“This is not only San Jose’s problem or the problem of the victims’ families. It is everyone’s concern, and we must work together,” he said. “Let us harness our resources, human capital, trained experts, and volunteers. Let us establish structures that will ensure we are prepared to address situations like this.”
Following the consultation, agencies agreed to pursue three key initiatives.
These include the establishment of a Regional Psychosocial Volunteer Network composed of mental health professionals, guidance counselors, social workers, and trained volunteers to provide psychosocial support to students, families, and school personnel affected by the tragedy.
The second initiative focuses on strengthening the School Safety and Child Protection Program, including stricter safety protocols and improved mechanisms to ensure student security within school campuses.
The third initiative involves a Parent and Community Education Program aimed at strengthening the role of families and communities in child protection, mental health awareness, and early identification of behavioral concerns.
Romualdez said participating agencies committed to pooling experts and resources to sustain mental health and psychosocial interventions in affected communities.
“We now have the commitment of the respective departments, through their regional directors, to work as one team,” he said. “We will bring together trained professionals, psychoanalysts, guidance counselors, and other specialists to support this effort.”
He also noted that many children are left under limited supervision due to parents working locally or overseas, stressing the need for stronger community-based support systems.
Romualdez added that he will push for legislative measures in Congress to expand mental health services, strengthen child protection laws, and institutionalize school-based safety and support programs nationwide.
Tingog Party-list Reps. Jude Acidre and Andrew Romualdez also thanked government agencies and partner organizations for their swift response and continued cooperation.
Acidre raised the need to reassess policies on minors’ access to social media, citing concerns over exposure to harmful online content.
“Without appropriate safeguards, teenagers and even younger children may be exposed to violent content that is not suitable for them and could have serious psychological effects,” he said.
Officials said the initiatives aim to complement ongoing efforts to provide assistance to victims and ensure safer learning environments across the country.
The June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School has prompted renewed calls for stronger school security, expanded mental health services, and closer coordination among government agencies, schools, parents, and communities.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
