CITY Councilor Imee Rose P. Moreno, on Monday, expressed deep concern after a young student allegedly made threats that have stirred fear among students, parents, teachers, school staff and residents.
The lady councilor rendered her special report during the regular session presided over by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez. She said the incident has been circulating on social media, showing a young student making a threatening statement while pointing his hand in the form of a gun, and another video resurfaced showing the child apologizing for his actions.
“This does not mean that every child who makes a threatening remark or gesture will commit an act of violence, it would be unfair and irresponsible to make such an assumption. However, it would be equally irresponsible to dismiss such behavior as mere child play or an innocent joke”, Moreno said.
Councilor Moreno commended the Department of Education (DepEd) for its swift action following the report, noting that school administrators quickly notified authorities and implemented immediate safety measures.
But she cautioned that emergency responses must not be the end of the process. Councilor Moreno urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to coordinate with the DepEd to ensure the student receives a comprehensive psychosocial assessment and appropriate supportive services.
“Beyond determining what happened, we must also understand why it happened and what more can be done to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future”, she said.
The councilor also acknowledged legislative measures intended to strengthen school safety and child protection. However, she questioned whether those laws and policies are being fully implemented. “These are not questions to find fault, these are questions that seek to ensure that our laws are responsive, practical, and effective”, Moreno stressed.
To address these concerns, Councilor Moreno proposed, in aid of legislation, forming joint committees on education, social services, women and family relations, health, and on public order and safety to review existing protocols in responding to threats involving students.
“We cannot wait for tragedy before we decide to act. If there is one lesson we should learn from recent events, it is that prevention is always better than reaction,” she concluded. (JBD/SP)
GIPASALAMATAN ni Konsehal Roger Abaday, chairman sa komite sa public order and safety, ang kadagkoan ug opisyal sa Bulua Elementary School sa daling pag-aksyon pinaagi sa pagkoordinar sa Barangay ug sa kapolisan aron daling masuta ug ma-imbestigar ang giingong pagpanghulga sa maong tunghaan nga gikabalaka sa mga ginikanan ug mga magtutudlo.
Sumala ni Abaday nga human madawat sa kapolisan ang maong taho, gilayong mimando si City Police Director P/Col. Dexter Paje sa iyang mga ginsakpan sa pag-imbestigar ug sa pagsuta sa responsable nga mihimo sa nasangpit nga pagpanghulga.
Gisugyot ni Abaday ang partisipasyon sa opisina sa Women and Children’s Desk, ilabi na kay ang maong kaso naglambigit sa minor-de edad aron usab masunod ang insaktong pamaagi ug proseso.
Nunot niini, malaumon si Abaday nga mapalapdan pa sa buhatan sa Department of Education (DepEd), sa kapolisan ug ubang ahensya sa goberno ang koordinasyon aron masiguro nga luwas ang mga tinun-an ug mga magtutudlo sa matag tunghaan sa syudad. (MLR/SP)
City Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez and Councilor Jonjon Rodriguez have proposed an ordinance to institutionalize a comprehensive poverty reduction and social protection program in Cagayan de Oro City, aimed at strengthening inter-agency collaboration and ensuring the sustained delivery of services to vulnerable sectors.
Councilor Jonjon presented the proposed measure during a meeting of the committee on social services, which he chairs.
The ordinance was primarily drafted by Mr. Jordan Ian G. Apat, a member of the City Inter-Agency Committee (CIAC), pursuant to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2022-001, or the Guidelines in Support of the Implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), and DILG Memorandum No. R10-LGCDD-2026-06-08-001.
According to Councilor Jonjon, the proposed ordinance aims to adopt, operationalize, and institutionalize focused poverty reduction and social protection interventions to improve the quality of life of Cagayan de Oro residents.
The measure also seeks to establish a system for monitoring poverty reduction and social protection programs while strengthening collaboration among national agencies, local government offices, and other stakeholders to ensure coordinated and effective implementation.
The proposed ordinance remains under committee review. Comments and recommendations from concerned agencies are currently being consolidated and incorporated before the measure is scheduled for another committee deliberation. (JDO/SP)
