After a fatal shooting incident occurred at a public high school in Tacloban City on June 22, the Philippine Department of Education announced that it will strengthen campus security measures nationwide, while also enhancing anti-bullying efforts and student protection mechanisms.
On Friday, Philippine Secretary of Education Sonny Angara announced the launch of the “Campus Security Campaign,” which will comprehensively bolster school security management, ensure a safe learning environment on campus, and provide more comprehensive protection for students through improved mechanisms for prevention, reporting, response, and intervention.
Angara stated that protecting student safety is currently the highest priority, and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has repeatedly emphasized that schools must strictly maintain their status as safe learning spaces.
He said that the Department of Education is strengthening cooperation with schools, parents, local governments, law enforcement units, and related community organizations to boost inter-agency coordination for more effective handling of campus security issues.
Under the new measures, the Department of Education will implement multiple security measures in all public schools nationwide, including deploying handheld metal detectors, tightening visitor management systems, conducting regular bag checks, expanding CCTV coverage, and strategically deploying security personnel on campus.
The Department is also conducting campus security audits to assess basic infrastructure such as school fences, entrances and exits, lighting equipment, and emergency exits, aiming to identify security vulnerabilities and strengthen security measures for high-risk campuses.
In addition, the Department will strengthen the implementation of safe learning environment guidelines, the Anti-Bullying Law, and existing child protection policies.
School administrators will also undergo retraining to enhance procedures for reporting, investigating, referring, and responding to student-related incidents.
Meanwhile, all district offices have been instructed to intensify cooperation with local police, village chiefs, parents, and community leaders to ensure swift resolution of campus security issues.
At the national level, the Department is also coordinating with the Philippine National Police, the League of Local Government Units, the Association of Village Chiefs, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Health to establish unified response and referral mechanisms.
To improve the efficiency of reporting and enable early intervention, the Department will set up more convenient and confidential reporting channels that allow students to report bullying, violence, cyberbullying, and other safety concerns.
Student leaders and parent-teacher associations will also participate in discussions to identify factors that hinder students from reporting incidents.
Given the increasing risks in cyberspace, the Department will introduce age-appropriate digital citizenship and cybersecurity courses for students, parents, and school staff.
In addition, the Department has institutionalized intervention mechanisms to provide psychological first aid, counseling, and psychosocial support services for victims, perpetrators, and bystanders.
Angara stated that protecting student safety is currently the highest priority, and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has repeatedly emphasized that schools must strictly maintain their status as safe learning spaces.
He said that the Department of Education is strengthening cooperation with schools, parents, local governments, law enforcement units, and related community organizations to boost inter-agency coordination for more effective handling of campus security issues.
Under the new measures, the Department of Education will implement multiple security measures in all public schools nationwide, including deploying handheld metal detectors, tightening visitor management systems, conducting regular bag checks, expanding CCTV coverage, and strategically deploying security personnel on campus.
The Department is also conducting campus security audits to assess basic infrastructure such as school fences, entrances and exits, lighting equipment, and emergency exits, aiming to identify security vulnerabilities and strengthen security measures for high-risk campuses.
In addition, the Department will strengthen the implementation of safe learning environment guidelines, the Anti-Bullying Law, and existing child protection policies.
School administrators will also undergo retraining to enhance procedures for reporting, investigating, referring, and responding to student-related incidents.
Meanwhile, all district offices have been instructed to intensify cooperation with local police, village chiefs, parents, and community leaders to ensure swift resolution of campus security issues.
At the national level, the Department is also coordinating with the Philippine National Police, the League of Local Government Units, the Association of Village Chiefs, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Health to establish unified response and referral mechanisms.
To improve the efficiency of reporting and enable early intervention, the Department will set up more convenient and confidential reporting channels that allow students to report bullying, violence, cyberbullying, and other safety concerns.
Student leaders and parent-teacher associations will also participate in discussions to identify factors that hinder students from reporting incidents.
Given the increasing risks in cyberspace, the Department will introduce age-appropriate digital citizenship and cybersecurity courses for students, parents, and school staff.
In addition, the Department has institutionalized intervention mechanisms to provide psychological first aid, counseling, and psychosocial support services for victims, perpetrators, and bystanders.