Cebu City councilor urges DepEd, CHED: Implement safety measures for Christmas parties

In this December 2019 photo, children pay their respects to the Philippine flag while singing the National Anthem at a Christmas party in a police station in Cebu City. | File photo

DANAO CITY, Cebu — After the tragic incident at Dimaporo Gym of the Mindanao State University (MSU) on December 3, where a bomb explosion resulted in four deaths and 50 injuries, a Cebu City councilor is urging education agencies to implement safety measures for students during the Christmas season.

In his proposed resolution to be presented in the council’s regular session on December 13, Wednesday, Councilor Rey Gealon urged the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Education (DepEd) to secure the safety of their students before the Christmas vacation while they are still in school.

Gealon said in both resolutions that public and private schools, universities, and colleges, hold Christmas parties or other holiday activities during December.

“It is therefore necessary for schools to be careful and more vigilant in the convergence of students during the holidays for the celebration of Christmas and the holding of other holiday activities, to ensure the safety and security of both students and school personnel,” Gealon wrote.

With this, he requested CHED and DepEd to release guidelines on the establishment of safety and security measures in schools in preparation for the celebration of Christmas parties and other holiday activities, given the convergence of students during the said events.

According to DepEd Order No. 022, series of 2023, the Christmas break begins on December 18, 2023 and ends on January 2, 2024. /clorenciana

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