Safety does not end when parents are not around; it begins with what children are taught at home.
UBian parents and partners from the Baguio community came together for a meaningful conversation on child and student safety as the University of Baguio Center for Counseling and Student Development (CCSD) facilitated Parent’s Congress 2026 on September 14, 2026, at the UB Centennial Hall.
Anchored by the theme, “Subscribed to L-Series 3.0: Learning to Live Together – A Step Towards Modern Parenting,” the event brought parents, educators, and community partners together to explore how families can work hand in hand with schools to create safer environments for children. The program was also streamed live through the official Facebook Page of the Center for Counseling and Student Development, allowing more participants and community members to participate.
Safe and Responsible Parenting 101
Ms. Amy N. Victorino, RPsy, RPm, opened the discussion by focusing on how guided adult supervision can help protect their children from school-based violence. After discussing the nature and potential effects of school violence on children, Ms. Victorino shared signs and symptoms that grown-ups may watch for and emphasized the influence of different parenting and communication styles on how children respond to and disclose experiences involving potential risks.
The conversation then shifted from protection to empowerment as Ms. Sherry Joy Martinez-Yrigan, LPT, highlighted children’s role as active contributors to school safety. She emphasized the importance of teaching children about the laws and policies designed to protect them. Further, drawing on personal experiences and practical insights, Ms. Martinez-Yrigan shared ways that can empower their children to recognize unsafe situations, understand their rights and responsibilities, speak up when something is wrong, and look out for their peers’ well-being.
Alt Text: Ms. Amy N. Victorino, RPsy, RPm (left), and Ms. Sherry Joy Martinez-Yrigan, LPT(right), as dedicated guest speakers during the facilitated Parent’s Congress 2026 on September 14, 2026
Complementing the discussions on child protection, Engr. Julia Flores-Florendo of the Risk Management Office presented the University of Baguio’s efforts in preparing students for potential safety hazards, particularly during natural disasters. Then, to add a heartfelt perspective to the event, selected students from UB Laboratory Elementary School, UB High School, and UB Science High School shared how their guardians have helped them feel safe and supported, even when they were not physically present.
Through the collaboration of various University of Baguio offices and the Parents-Teachers Associations of UB Laboratory Elementary School, UB High School, and UB Science High School, Parent’s Congress 2026 provided parents with knowledge, practical strategies, and resources to extend the protection they provide their children beyond the home. Ultimately, child safety is a shared responsibility. Parents may not be able to be by their children’s side every moment, but they can prepare them for the moments when they are not there by teaching them to recognize risks, speak up, ask for help, protect themselves, and care for others.
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Written by: Shiela Natalie Juyag
Article enhancement by Gabriel Madriaga
