Our Safeguarding Journey: from Vision to Action

By Fr. Jhonan’z Vibar

The Metropolitan Province of Cáceres stands at a decisive moment in its safeguarding journey—one that transforms lessons learned into living action. During the 2025 National Safeguarding Conference, dioceses of Cáceres, Libmanan, Legazpi, Virac, Sorsogon, Daet, and Masbate united in one spirit: to make safeguarding not just a policy, but a Gospel-rooted way of life.

The next steps are both practical and pastoral. First comes communion with the Bishop—an intentional onboarding of everyone in the Church’s ministry: clergy, religious, lay leaders, youth, and pastoral workers. This shared orientation ensures that safeguarding is not an isolated program but the heart of mission itself. Once this foundation is set, each diocese will finalize the name, location, and staffing of its own Diocesan Safeguarding Office—an official center for protection, reporting, and accompaniment.

Policies and statutes will then take shape. Drafting, reviewing, and approving these documents will provide transparency, consistency, and accountability, turning values into clear action. A dedicated diocesan budget will follow, enabling training, communication, and direct support for those in need. Once established, the office will begin training programs, open reporting and archiving systems, and coordinate efforts with the Regional Safeguarding Office—also known as the Memorare Initiative of the Ecclesiastical Province of Cáceres—to ensure alignment and unity of practice.

The roadmap also stresses “care for the carers.” Protecting those who protect others—priests, lay volunteers, formators, and counselors—is essential. The Church acknowledges that those engaged in safeguarding must themselves be supported emotionally, spiritually, and professionally. This ensures that compassion remains sustainable, and that accompaniment does not lead to exhaustion but renewal.

To bring these plans to life, key resources are indispensable. The dioceses will need qualified human resources—trained clergy, religious, lay professionals, and volunteers. A secure physical office equipped with proper facilities and contact lines will anchor operations. Stable funding from diocesan budgets, grants, and seed funds will sustain programs, including support lines for victims. Alongside these are robust policies, comprehensive formation programs—spanning theology, law, and trauma-informed care—and effective communication platforms for awareness and education.

Partnerships with the Pontifical Commission, the Catholic Safeguarding Institute, religious congregations, civil authorities, and NGOs will complete the network of collaboration.

With these steps and resources, the Province of Cáceres envisions safeguarding not merely as compliance, but as a lived expression of faith—a Church that protects, heals, and restores, grounded always in the mercy and mission of Christ.

Delegates from the Bicol Dioceses at the National Safeguarding Conference 2025. (Photo credit: Photo credit: Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Office on the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons)