18/08/2026
SDO Canlaon City Leads Community-Wide Effort to Build Safer, Values-Centered Schools Through Project SHIELD
CANLAON CITY, NEGROS ORIENTAL — August 17, 2026. The Schools Division Office of Canlaon City, led by Schools Division Superintendent Ma’am Salvacion Sally Java Senayo , CESO VI, together with Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Nonale Resoor , CID Chief Dr. Lechen Alcoran-Amores Anna Lee A. Amores, and SGOD Chief Dr. Emelyn Dela Rama Bolongaita , has launched Project SHIELD — Spiritual and Holistic Intervention for Empowering Learners toward Discipleship, a community-based initiative aimed at strengthening learner safety, character formation, and holistic development.
The initiative was strengthened through a coordination meeting involving the SDO Canlaon City, Local Government Unit, Philippine National Police, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations, and other community stakeholders, in response to the call of DepEd Order No. 006, s. 2026, or the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE).
The coordination was prompted by serious and concerning incidents reported in other places, highlighting the importance of taking proactive and preventive measures to protect learners and prevent untoward incidents, abuse, violence, and other threats to their safety and well-being.
The partners recognized that learner safety goes beyond physical security. It also requires strong values formation, early intervention, child protection, positive relationships, responsible decision-making, peaceful conflict resolution, family involvement, and a caring community that works together for the welfare of children and young people.
A Call for Unity Among Faith-Based Partners
During the coordination, Hon. Inday Jane Cardenas Jane Francis J. Cardenas, City Councilor, proposed the mobilization of pastors, lay ministers, prayer partners, and religious organizations to voluntarily support secondary schools by sharing the Word of God and values that can help guide young people toward responsible, peaceful, and purposeful lives.
The proposal received a strong and positive response from the faith community. Pastor Nelson Rejir, Division FPTA President, formally expressed his commitment through a Letter of Intent, signifying his willingness to voluntarily share the Word of God with learners without compensation, as an expression of service and concern for the youth.
The initiative also gained the support and participation of various faith-based groups and volunteers, including pastors, lay ministers, El Shaddai Catholic Charismatic Prayer Partners, Couples for Christ, prayer partners, and other religious organizations who expressed their willingness to work together for the benefit of learners.
Their participation reflects a common desire to help young people develop faith, hope, compassion, self-discipline, respect for others, and a strong sense of responsibility.
Finding Common Ground in Service
Recognizing the diversity of Christian traditions and religious backgrounds represented in the community, the SDO Canlaon City leadership adopted a diplomatic, inclusive, and learner-centered approach.
To prevent misunderstanding and ensure consistency in implementation, the SDO facilitated the development of common session guides, which were reviewed and mutually agreed upon by the participating parties.
The initiative does not seek to promote one particular denomination. Instead, participating partners agreed to meet at a common ground centered on values that contribute to the safety, dignity, character, and holistic development of learners.
The sessions shall emphasize shared values including love, compassion, forgiveness, peace, respect, integrity, responsibility, and service.
The participating faith-based partners likewise agreed to respect the diversity of the school community and to follow the established session guides. If a facilitator departs from the agreed framework and uses the school-based sessions primarily to advance specific denominational doctrines, dogmas, or beliefs, the participation of the concerned facilitator may be suspended, subject to appropriate review.
This safeguard is intended to maintain the peaceful, respectful, inclusive, and learner-centered character of Project SHIELD while allowing participating faith-based partners to contribute meaningfully to values formation.
Five Agreed Monthly Sessions
The monthly Project SHIELD sessions shall follow the mutually agreed themes:
Session 1 – Personal Salvation
Learners will be guided to reflect on the value of life, personal responsibility, hope, repentance, and making positive choices.
Session 2 – Freedom from Drug Addiction
The session will promote awareness of the harmful effects of drug and substance abuse and encourage learners to choose healthy, responsible, and purposeful lifestyles.
Session 3 – Freedom from Sexual Immorality
Learners will be encouraged to uphold personal dignity, respect themselves and others, build responsible relationships, and make wise and responsible decisions.
Session 4 – Freedom from Violence and Criminality
The session will promote peace, forgiveness, respect, self-control, responsible citizenship, and non-violent approaches to conflict resolution.
Session 5 – To Know God, To Love God, To Serve God, and To Be with Him Forever in Heaven
Learners will be encouraged to reflect on knowing God, living a life of love and service, and developing a meaningful sense of purpose.
These common guides provide a shared direction for participating facilitators while ensuring that the sessions remain respectful, structured, age-appropriate, and focused on the welfare of learners.
Parents and Learners at the Center
The organizers emphasized that parents and learners must be properly informed before participation.
Schools shall conduct an orientation for parents and guardians on the objectives, nature, session themes, procedures, and safeguards of Project SHIELD. Learners shall likewise be oriented regarding the purpose and nature of the sessions.
Most importantly, written parental or guardian consent shall be secured before a learner participates in the Project SHIELD sessions. Schools shall maintain appropriate documentation and ensure that participation is implemented consistent with applicable DepEd policies, child-protection standards, and learner-welfare safeguards.
A Whole-of-Community Approach to Learner Safety
Through Project SHIELD, SDO Canlaon City seeks to move beyond responding to incidents after they occur. It promotes prevention through values formation, strong family and community partnerships, early intervention, responsible choices, positive relationships, and a culture of peace and respect.
The initiative brings together education leaders, LGU officials, PNP, DSWD, FPTA, parents, school heads, teachers, pastors, lay ministers, El Shaddai Catholic Charismatic Prayer Partners, Couples for Christ, prayer partners, religious organizations, and other community stakeholders in a shared commitment to protect and guide every learner.
The Schools Division Office of Canlaon City extends its heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all partners and stakeholders who generously shared their time, support, prayers, expertise, resources, and commitment to this initiative.
Special appreciation is extended to Hon. Jane Francis J. Cardenas for advancing the call for unity among faith-based partners; Pastor Nelson Rejir for his voluntary commitment to serve learners; and to all pastors, lay ministers, El Shaddai Catholic Charismatic Prayer Partners, Couples for Christ, prayer partners, and participating religious organizations for responding to the call to serve.
The SDO likewise expresses its appreciation to the LGU Canlaon City, PNP, DSWD, FPTA, school heads, teachers, parents, learners, and community stakeholders for their continuing partnership in creating safer and more nurturing schools.
Above all, the SDO Canlaon City gives thanks to God Almighty for bringing people from different sectors and faith communities together in a spirit of humility, cooperation, compassion, and service.
Project SHIELD is not the work of one office, one organization, or one faith community. It is a shared commitment—led by the SDO Canlaon City leadership and strengthened by a united community that cares for every learner.
“When a community comes together to protect its children, it builds not only safer schools but a stronger and more hopeful future.”
With one heart, one purpose, and a shared commitment to learner welfare, Canlaon City moves forward in protecting every learner, strengthening faith, building character, and inspiring peace.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life.” — Psalm 27:1
PROJECT SHIELD
Spiritual & Holistic Intervention for Empowering Learners toward Discipleship
Strengthening Faith. Building Character. Inspiring Peace.
SALTA CANLAON! SALTA EDUKASYON!
