About 80 Kapampangan students from the City College of San Fernando, Pampanga (CCSFP) participated in a gender and development (GAD) forum on safe spaces, safe digital spaces, and gender-fair communication held inside the school campus.
The forum, organized by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), focused on helping students understand their role in creating respectful, inclusive, and safe environments in schools, online platforms, and future workplaces.
CCSFP President Gloria Bañas urged students to reflect on how their actions affect others.
“Being active on social media doesn’t give us the right to bully or disrespect others. In your future workplace, you will meet many people, and one thing you should carry with you is respect for everyone,” she said.
Students learned about Republic Act 11313, otherwise known as the Safe Spaces Act, how to communicate using gender-fair language, and ways to promote safety and respect in both physical and digital spaces.
Many shared that the discussions gave them new awareness about the impact of their words and behavior.
CCSFP Vice President for Academic Affairs Melanie Briones encouraged students to use the lessons learned in the forum beyond the classroom.
“Your voices matter. Claim your space—lead with change, lead with courage. If there are challenges, we rise together,” she urged.
For his part, PIA Regional Head William Beltran highlighted the importance of continuous commitment to gender equality.
“GAD is about creating environments that respect everyone—regardless of gender, background, or age. We should also support vulnerable groups, such as women with disabilities, who face extra challenges,” he noted.
The forum included interactive sessions, case studies, and question-and-answer portions that allowed students to practice what they learned, preparing them to foster safe and inclusive environments in school, online, and future workplaces.
PIA Pampanga Information Center Manager and Regional GAD Focal Marie Joy Carbungco reminded students that building safe spaces requires effort from everyone.
“Creating safe and inclusive spaces—offline and online—is a shared responsibility. Each of you can make a difference by promoting respect, fairness, and inclusivity in your communities.”
By the end of the forum, students were not only informed but also inspired to carry the principles of respect, inclusion, and gender sensitivity into their daily lives, helping to create safer and more equitable spaces wherever they go.