HOUSE Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Tuesday said Congress will look beyond expressions of grief over the tragedy at Ateneo de Zamboanga and undertake an evidence-based examination of what can be done to better protect children from violence in schools.
Speaker Dy, a father and grandfather, expressed his condolences to the families of the children who lost their lives, saying the tragedy underscored the need to understand the dangers confronting young people today and identify gaps that could put them at risk.
“Nakikiramay po tayo nang buong puso sa mga pamilya at mahal sa buhay ng mga batang nasawi sa trahedyang nangyari sa Ateneo de Zamboanga,” the Speaker said.
“Bilang ama at lolo, masakit isipin na may mga magulang na naghatid ng anak nila sa paaralan ngayong araw, pero hindi na nila ito makakasamang umuwi.”
Dy said children today are growing up in circumstances vastly different from those experienced by previous generations, exposing them to new influences and risks that policymakers, parents, and communities must better understand.
He pointed out that Filipino children “are growing up in a world very different from the one we grew up in. They face influences and dangers that many of us did not have to deal with at their age. We owe it to them to understand that world better.”
The Speaker stressed that the country’s response should go beyond condolences and prayers.
“Hindi puwedeng matapos ang tugon natin sa pakikiramay at panalangin. Kailangan nating maintindihan kung bakit at paano ito nangyari, kung ano ang maaaring nakapigil dito, at kung ano ang dapat nating baguhin para manatiling ligtas ang ating mga anak sa paaralan,” Dy said.
He said the House must examine existing laws, policies, and safeguards and determine whether there are gaps that need to be addressed before another tragedy occurs.
“As lawmakers, our work cannot begin only after a tragedy has happened. We have to look for the gaps before another family has to bury a child,” said the Speaker.
“Our response will be guided by facts and evidence. Makikinig tayo sa mga eksperto at susuriin ang studies, research, at karanasan ng ibang bansa.”
“At higit sa lahat, makikinig tayo sa mga magulang, guro at mismong mga kabataan,” he added.
The Speaker said the tragedy must lead to sustained action rather than fade from public attention once the immediate grief has passed.
“Hindi natin puwedeng iyakan ang trahedyang ito ngayon, tapos kalimutan na lang bukas,” Dy said.
“Kikilos ang Kongreso nang maagap, batay sa ebidensya, at may paninindigang humanap ng mga solusyong tunay na magbibigay-proteksyon sa ating mga anak,” he added.
Dy ended his statement by assuring the bereaved families that the House stands with them.
“Sa mga pamilyang nagdadalamhati ngayon, kasama ninyo kami sa sakit at sa panalangin.”
metrosundaily
