WITH the opening of classes for School Year 2025–2026 fast approaching, the National Telecommunications Commission-Davao Region (NTC-Davao) and the Department of Education-Davao Region (DepEd-Davao) are ramping up efforts to ensure student safety, both online and on campus.
The initiative, led by NTC-Davao Regional Director Nelson Cañete, places strong emphasis on digital safety amid the growing risks children face in the virtual world.
Cañete called on parents and guardians to take a more active role in supervising their children’s online activities, stressing that the internet poses dangers similar to those found in public spaces.
According to Canete, in an interview with dxDC RMN Davao earlier this week, there are still people online with harmful intentions, and children must be protected from these threats just as they would be in any physical environment.
As part of this effort, NTC-Davao is intensifying its campaign on Republic Act No. 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (Osaec) Act. The agency continues to raise awareness about the dangers of cyberbullying, grooming, online sexual abuse, and digital fraud issues that are increasingly affecting young users.
Meanwhile, the collaboration with DepEd-Davao also includes logistical support to reinforce peace and order in schools. As part of this campaign, NTC-Davao recently donated five short-range radios to J. Soriano National High School to aid in campus communication and security operations.
Similar donations are also scheduled for Ma-a National High School, Davao City National High School, Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School (DRANHS), and Tugbok High School.
Canete said that this strengthened partnership reflects a multi-faceted approach to student protection, highlighting not only digital vigilance but also school preparedness, as thousands of learners return to classrooms across the region. DEF