STEP TSU Hosts Double Seminar

Report by Anthonette Aspiras | Photo by Nikka Gutierrez

Strive Towards Empowerment and Progress (STEP) spearheaded a double seminar with the themes “Flame Four: GLOW – Light Over Lies: The Real Cost of Drugs” and “Flame Five: IGNITE 9344” on November 26, 2025, at the COE AVR, TSU Main Campus.

The seminar aimed to educate attendees on various laws concerning Filipino children—especially R.A. 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006—and to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse.

Atty. Theodore Timpac, PhD, director of TSU’s Office of Governance and Quality Management (OGQM), and Ms. Jelly Anne Bayag-o, a faculty member of the College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE), served as the event’s speakers.

In his speech, Atty. Timpac emphasized that student leaders have the ability and responsibility to help protect children from crimes and abuse.

“You are leaders—student leaders. So you can do something, you can do something in order to protect our children… Much is still to be done, marami pa tayong kailangang gawin,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Bayag-o discussed substance abuse, highlighting its effects and warning signs.

Attendees also had the opportunity to ask the speakers questions related to the seminar’s topics.

This double seminar is one of STEP TSU’s initiatives aimed at educating students about pressing social issues.