A senator urged the public on Monday to refrain from spreading unverified information on the death of two female senior high school students in a school in Taguig City.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who chairs the Committee on Basic Education, made the statement amid the ongoing investigation being made by authorities and the Department of Education (DepEd).

“While the local government of Taguig City, the Department of Education, the Philippine National Police, and the Scene of the Crime Operatives already initiated investigations, I urge them to expedite the process and ensure accuracy in unraveling the circumstances surrounding this tragedy,” Gatchalian said.

“In the meantime, I plead that the public avoid sharing unverified information that may lead to more confusion during this difficult time. Let us respect and allow the loved ones of the departed to grieve without our unsolicited intrusion, but let us also reflect on how we can all help in building kinder and loving communities,” he added.

Both the DepEd and the Taguig city government made the same call on Saturday.

Gatchalian likewise sent his condolences to the families, classmates, and teachers of the students who are currently being attended to by counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists sent by the city government.

He also called for the passage into law of Senate Bill No. 2200 or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act which was recently approved by the Senate.

Under the measure, a Care Center in every public and private basic education school in the country shall be established that will be equipped with functional physical facilities, located within an adequate space where confidentiality is maintained and accessible to the learners, teachers, and non-teaching personnel as well.

It shall also mandate the DepEd to implement complementary measures that will enable other associated healthy behaviors among learners and eliminate the stigma on mental health counseling while providing mental health awareness programs and literacy and appropriate mental health-related referrals to teaching and non-teaching personnel.

New plantilla positions of Mental Health Specialists I to V and Mental Health Associates I to V will be created to promote and ensure the mental health and well-being of all learners. (PNA) 

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