Schools are places where students learn, grow, and spend much of their daily lives. To ensure that students feel safe at school, it is important to identify potential risks in advance and encourage everyone in the school community to take an active interest in safety.
Safety in and around schools has also become a growing concern in the Philippines. On June 23, 2026, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) expressed concern over incidents of violence in and around schools at the start of the new school year. UNICEF emphasized the need to strengthen violence prevention and child protection systems, provide psychosocial support, and identify potential risks at an early stage.
On August 17, a “Reduce Crime Together (RCT) Seminar” was held at Lyceum Northern Luzon in Urdaneta City, Philippines. Centered on ASEZ’s Reduce Crime Together (RCT) Project, the seminar brought together local government officials, police officers, university representatives and students to explore ways to create safer campuses and communities.
Approximately 250 people attended the event, primarily students, faculty, and staff of Lyceum Northern Luzon. Distinguished guests included Ma. Cecilia C. Gandia, President of Lyceum Northern Luzon; Ma. Jennifer Gonzales, Head of Human Resources; Nora D. Halog, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Jen Gandia, Member of the Urdaneta City Council; and PLT Jesus DL Tambalo, Deputy Chief of Police (DCOP) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Urdaneta.
Councilor Jen Gandia emphasized the role of local government in improving safety around campuses and the need for effective safety policies. Deputy Chief of Police Jesus DL Tambalo then provided an overview of the local crime situation, stressing the importance of students remaining vigilant in their daily lives and cooperating with local police. ASEZ members introduced ASEZ and its RCT activities, highlighting the purpose of crime reduction efforts that bring young people and local communities together.
After watching a video introducing ASEZ’s activities and vision, participants attended a campus crime reduction session as part of the “RCT Campus” initiative.
The RCT presentation covered various types of crime, including murder, violent crime, and property crimes, as well as risks in the digital environment, such as cyberbullying, online fraud, and privacy violations. It then highlighted the importance of crime reduction and introduced activities that university students can participate in on campus, focusing on three key areas: Education, Action, and Partnership.
The education section emphasized the importance of raising awareness of crime prevention and reflecting on everyday behavior. In addition to legal and institutional measures, the presentation highlighted the need for education that encourages people to learn and practice honesty, fairness, and respect for others.
The action section introduced the Broken Windows Theory and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). Students learned how they could identify potential risks on campus, such as poorly lit areas and blind spots, and take part in improving their surroundings through cleanup activities and graffiti removal.
The partnership section emphasized cooperation among young people, citizens, universities, local governments, and the police. The presentation explained how students could contribute to campus safety by sharing their findings with relevant authorities and proposing measures for improvement.
Following the seminar, President Ma. Cecilia C. Gandia held a meeting with ASEZ representatives. Representing the students, faculty, and staff, Gandia signed a statement of support for ASEZ’s “Reduce Crime Together” initiative, expressing her support for efforts to improve campus safety and prevent crime.
ASEZ also agreed with the Urdaneta police to continue joint activities in the future. This laid the groundwork for turning the crime prevention discussions held during the seminar into practical activities in the local community.
ASEZ will continue its “Reduce Crime Together” activities to help university students identify potential risks on campuses and in their communities and participate in crime prevention efforts in cooperation with universities, the police, and local governments.
