Holy Cross College (HCC) continues to strengthen its commitment to the safety and security of its learners through a recent orientation on campus safety and preparedness during an active threat, attended by students of the Basic Education Department and presided over by Mr. Francis Cabrera.
The orientation focused on increasing students’ awareness of potential threats within and around the school environment and equipping them with the knowledge to respond calmly, responsibly, and appropriately during emergency situations.
The activity forms part of HCC’s continuing efforts to develop a culture of preparedness and vigilance, emphasizing that campus safety is a shared responsibility among students, faculty, personnel, school administrators, and other stakeholders.
As part of the initiative, HCC is also preparing for a planned active threat safety drill designed to provide students and school personnel with an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the school’s emergency procedures, communication protocols, and appropriate protective actions during a simulated threat.
The activity is aligned with the Department of Education’s continuing efforts to strengthen school safety, emergency preparedness, and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM). DepEd has emphasized the importance of contingency planning and simulation exercises to prepare schools for emergencies, including man-made threats. In 2026, DepEd also issued guidance concerning the development of School Contingency Plans for Active Attack/Active Shooter Incidents and the conduct of a nationwide school safety drill for active attack incidents.
DepEd’s existing disaster preparedness policies likewise recognize the importance of regular drills and simulations in helping learners and personnel understand the proper actions and orderly movement during emergencies.
Through the leadership of the Basic Education Department and the initiative of Mr. Cabrera, HCC seeks to ensure that preparedness goes beyond policies and becomes a practical skill among its students. The planned drill will serve as an opportunity to evaluate existing procedures, identify areas for improvement, and further strengthen coordination among school personnel and learners.
More importantly, the initiative underscores HCC’s commitment to creating a safe, prepared, and resilient learning community, one where students are not only academically prepared but are also equipped with the awareness and presence of mind needed to respond appropriately when faced with unexpected emergencies.
Preparedness saves lives. Awareness builds resilience. At HCC, safety remains everyone’s responsibility.