MANILA, Philippines — The Marikina government has strengthened security protocols in all schools in the city following violent incidents involving minor students.
Mayor Marjorie Ann Teodoro announced yesterday that more police officers and Office of Public Safety and Security (OPSS) personnel would be deployed in public and private schools.
City hall will provide schools with metal detectors to screen students and visitors entering school premises.
Teodoro said the security deployment aims to ensure the safety of learners and teachers.
“Recently, I inspected some of our public schools to check security measures and determine what else we can add to ensure that our students are safe,” Teodoro said. “We want to further strengthen these protocols to give our parents peace of mind.”
Teodoro welcomed yesterday 70 newly hired OPSS personnel who will be dispatched to public schools in the city.
The local government will coordinate with the Marikina Private Schools Association Inc. to facilitate the deployment of roving police in private educational institutions.
There are 17 public elementary and 16 public high schools in Marikina, alongside numerous private educational institutions.
“It is our duty and responsibility to ensure that learners not only receive good education, but most importantly, they should be safe in the confines of their schools,” Teodoro said. “These places should be safe havens for children. The city government will do its part so that students and teachers remain unharmed.”