• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has launched “CampuSaya”, a pioneering nationwide holistic school violence prevention campaign, at Bacolod City National High School Oct. 22.
PRO-NIR director, Brig. Gen. Rudecindo Reales, described “CampuSaya” as a first-in-the-country initiative structured around three core pillars: mind resilience, enhanced campus security and response, and peer protection.
The campaign blends physical security measures with mental health awareness through a series of educational lectures organized alongside the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and other stakeholder agencies.
“We need to address not only the physical security of campuses, but also the mental wellness of the students,” Reales said. “It is important for parents to recognize warning signs in children’s behavior, which is why we are conducting this series of lectures.”
He said they mobilized a specialized team of police personnel, who are also experienced psychologists and guidance counselors.
The instructors will conduct educational sessions in schools and barangays to equip parents and tanods with early intervention and campus monitoring skills.
Reales added that the campaign aims to foster a proactive “culture of reporting” among students regarding online threats, bullying, and suspicious activities.
Following its initial rollout in Bacolod City, PRO-NIR plans to expand the “CampuSaya” campaign across Negros Occidental, and launch it in Negros Oriental next week, with the goal of reaching all 2,400 campuses across the region. | TMD
