Proposed school safety measure undergoes public hearing

CEBU, Philippines — A proposed measure aimed at strengthening school safety and emergency preparedness could advance in the Senate within the next two months, following a joint public hearing on Thursday that tackled growing concerns over campus security.

Senator Bam Aquino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, led the hearing attended by lawmakers, government agencies, and education stakeholders to consolidate proposals under the proposed School Safety Act.

The hearing came in the wake of recent incidents that raised concerns over school security, including the fatal shooting at a high school in Tacloban City that left three students dead and more than 20 others injured, as well as the deaths of student-athletes from Ateneo de Manila University.

Aquino said the proposed measure seeks to ensure that schools remain safe spaces for learning and that parents can have confidence in the safety of their children.

“Nandito po tayo dahil naniniwala tayo na ang mga paaralan ay dapat maging lugar ng pagkatuto at hindi ng takot. At lugar kung saan may kumpyansa ang bawat magulang na ligtas na makakauwi ang kanilang mga anak na pumasok sa paaralan,” Aquino said.

He also questioned whether existing laws, policies, and programs are sufficient to address current threats facing schools.

The proposed omnibus School Safety Act seeks to strengthen campus security by expanding both on-campus and off-campus safety measures, institutionalizing emergency response protocols, requiring the strategic use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems, and reinforcing mental health and psychosocial support services for students and educators.

During the hearing, Aquino also raised concerns over the lack of clear emergency procedures during the Tacloban shooting, saying schools and parents were left without clear guidance on how to respond.

“Ang school safety ay hindi lamang responsibilidad ng DepEd o ng paaralan. Responsibilidad po ito ng whole of nation… responsibilidad ng mga magulang, ng komunidad at higit sa lahat responsibilidad ng bawat isa sa atin dito,” he said.

Aquino said the committee aims to approve the consolidated bill within the next two months, adding that the measure should move forward regardless of political differences.

“Inaasahan po natin na susulong ito nang walang kulay ng politika. Kapag kaligtasan ng ating mga anak ang nakataya, iisa lamang ang dapat nating layunin,” Aquino said. (CEBU NEWS)