DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Davao City government is moving to activate its Moral Recovery Council to reinforce values formation and peace education among local youth, Councilor Antoinette Principe announced on Tuesday.
Speaking at the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos media forum, Principe, who chairs the Committee on Education, Science, and Technology, explained that the city will execute a 2024 local ordinance designed to institutionalize the Moral Recovery Program.
The initiative aims to instill seven core values—leadership, good governance, service excellence, resiliency, unity, integrity, and discipline—across local public servants and young residents.
The executive department is expected to issue an official order to formally convene the council, which will align with ongoing municipal initiatives to promote peace education.
”Peace education is being added to the D.C.Plinado learning modules,” Principe noted, sharing that the project is a collaborative effort between the local government, the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
A memorandum of agreement supporting the initiative was signed on Friday, September 25, with Vice President Sara Duterte. Local educators, school principals, and consultants are currently participating in a writeshop to draft the peace education syllabus. The proposed curriculum focuses on instilling early lessons in peace, respect, empathy, and fundamental human rights.
Principe emphasized that curbing campus violence and bullying requires collective action beyond school premises.
”It has to be a whole-of-community approach, not only the schools and the city government,” she stated, emphasizing the crucial responsibility of families in molding disciplined and respectful behavior in children.
While the primary D.C.Plinado framework is currently utilized in select grade levels across public and private schools, the peace education module remains under development.
”Peace education may be implemented next year once the module is completed, with DepEd to decide which grade levels will use it,” Principe explained, advocating for periodic program evaluations to measure its impact before expanding.
These educational strategies form part of a broader local response to heightened security concerns following reported violence in schools across other regions.
To address campus safety directly, Principe’s committee is partnering with the Committee on Peace and Public Safety, led by Councilor Luna Acosta, to draft a comprehensive local school safety and security ordinance based on recommendations from DepEd and the Philippine National Police.
Following consultations between Mayor Sebastian Duterte, security officials, and educators, the city is evaluating the use of the Special Education Fund to install walk-through metal detectors in high-density schools.
”The city is likewise considering providing transparent bags to learners in selected public schools and grade levels, subject to available funds,” Principe remarked.
She clarified that parents will not be required to purchase transparent bags out of pocket, as the local government would fully fund them if the temporary security measure is adopted.
Regarding physical school infrastructure, Principe stated that DepEd continues to handle general repairs and rehabilitation, while the city government steps in to fund new school construction, secure perimeters, and fulfill urgent facility needs.