23/06/2026
CHED BICOL LAUNCHES โSTUDENT SAFETY FIRSTโ INITIATIVE FOR HEIs
Legazpi City, Albay โ The Commission on Higher Education Regional Office V (CHED Bicol) has launched its โStudent Safety Firstโ initiative, directing all public and private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the region to strengthen measures that promote student safety, security, preparedness, and well-being.
The initiative is anchored on three key directives recently issued by the Commission: the integration of fire and earthquake preparedness into student orientation programs, the strict observance of safety requirements governing off-campus activities under CHED Memorandum Order No. 63, Series of 2017, and the enhancement of campus security measures in higher education institutions.
According to CHED Bicol Regional Director Dr. Demetrio P. Anduyan, Jr., CESO III, student welfare must remain at the center of all institutional policies, programs, and activities.
โQuality education is not only about academic excellence. It is also about ensuring that our students learn and grow in environments that are safe, secure, resilient, and supportive. Student safety is a shared responsibility and must be a fundamental consideration in every institutional undertaking,โ Director Anduyan said.
Under the initiative, HEIs are directed to integrate fire and earthquake preparedness orientation into student orientation activities at the beginning of every academic year. Students must be familiar with emergency exits, evacuation routes, assembly areas, campus contingency plans, and the proper use of firefighting equipment. Institutions are likewise required to conduct institution-wide emergency drills within the first two weeks of classes and reinforce preparedness through classroom-based drills and simulations.
CHED Bicol also reiterated the provisions of CMO No. 63, Series of 2017, reminding institutions to ensure that all off-campus activities are supported by appropriate risk assessments, adequate supervision, emergency preparedness measures, and comprehensive safety protocols. The Commission emphasized that meaningful learning experiences should never come at the expense of student safety.
In addition, all HEIs were directed to review and strengthen campus security measures, including access control systems, visitor management procedures, emergency response protocols, security infrastructure, and coordination with law enforcement and emergency response agencies.
The Commission further encouraged institutions to strengthen guidance, counseling, mental health, and psychosocial support services as part of a holistic approach to campus safety and student welfare.
The โStudent Safety Firstโ initiative forms part of CHED Bicolโs continuing efforts to foster resilient, learner-centered, and future-ready institutions throughout the region.
โAs we prepare students for the future, we must also ensure that they are protected from risks and equipped to respond to emergencies. Safe campuses create better learning environments and stronger academic communities,โ Director Anduyan added.
Through the initiative, CHED Bicol seeks to cultivate a culture of preparedness, accountability, vigilance, and shared responsibility among higher education institutions, educators, students, parents, and community partners.
CHED Bicol calls on all HEIs in the region to remain proactive in implementing measures that safeguard learners and uphold their right to a safe and secure educational environment.
