THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) plans to strengthen its Parenting Effectiveness Service (PES), noting that active parental presence and home-based support are necessary to prevent youth from relying solely on online networks for emotional guidance.
The PES is a program under Republic Act 11908 that aims to train parents and guardians in responsible parenting, child protection and positive discipline.
Speaking on PTV’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on Monday, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, spokesman of the DSWD, said the agency will continue to provide psychosocial first aid to learners affected by the recent school shooting in South Cotabato, as well as reinforce family structures alongside community intervention to safeguard children's well-being.
“We recognize that we have to expand the implementation of the PES. That's why we will cooperate with various government agencies and local government units so that we can strengthen and strengthen the family, the family relationship, and the performance of parental responsibilities of the parents,” said Dumlao in Filipino and English.
She said children need to feel listened to by their parents when it comes to their grievances so that they do not solely rely on “digital friends” for comfort.
The DSWD is partnering with local government units (LGUs), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to deliver multidisciplinary, trauma-informed care and psychological first aid to affected students, families and academic staff.
It will also cover the medical expenses of the injured survivors and the burial costs for the families of those who were killed in the incident.
They will also be provided with livelihood assistance services to help them in their recovery.
Supporting the agency’s call for better parental guidance for children, Dr. Noel Reyes, medical center chief of the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), said student safety does not include physical safety only but emotional safety as well.
"Children must also feel emotionally safe, supported and assured that trusted adults are available to help them," said Reyes.
He noted that after experiencing traumatic or violent events, students often manifest early stress reactions — including fear, irritability, sleep disturbances, sudden physical complaints, and reluctance to attend school — which require compassionate, timely intervention rather than dismissal.
"Alongside physical security, schools must provide timely, compassionate, and accessible psychological support," Reyes said.
