Safe and Stylish: Gender-Inclusive School Uniform Ordinance Gets Another Look in Camarines Norte

CAMARINES NORTE —Back for another round! The ordinance pushed by Board Member Arthur Michael “Mike” Canlas promoting decent, comfortable, and gender-inclusive school uniforms has been returned to second reading for a wider public consultation.

The proposed measure encourages all schools in the province to adopt safe and inclusive uniforms that promote modesty, comfort, and equality among students—without forcing schools to follow a single design or imposing penalties.

The revised version of the ordinance drops earlier references to short skirts and now focuses on clear, gender-neutral guidelines for all students. Its goal is to make uniforms modern, respectful, and protective for everyone, regardless of gender.

The penalty clause from the original draft has been removed to make the measure purely advisory—a friendly reminder, not a rulebook. The provincial board also decided to translate the entire ordinance into Filipino so students, teachers, and parents can easily understand it during upcoming public consultations.

A sample uniform design was shown during the session, featuring neat and comfortable styles for both male and female students.

The move comes after alarming data from the Camarines Norte Police Provincial Office (CNPPO) showed that 69% of the province’s index crimes involve rape cases, with most victims being female students.

Provincial officials believe the ordinance is a strong step toward promoting safety and gender equality inside schools while discouraging discrimination and violence.

The proposal will go through more public hearings before it reaches third and final reading—where it could finally earn the nod of approval.

BOTTOM LINE: Camarines Norte is suiting up for safety, respect, and equality — one smart, gender-inclusive uniform at a time!