EDUCATION Secretary Sonny Angara has expressed full backing for Senate Bill No. 2426, or the proposed Comprehensive School Safety Act, authored by Senate Committee on Basic Education Chairman Senator Bam Aquino.
The legislative push follows heightened nationwide safety concerns after recent campus shooting incidents in Tacloban City and Zamboanga City.
Secretary Angara personally visited the affected communities to meet with local authorities, school personnel, injured learners, and bereaved families.
The proposed measure seeks to codify the Department of Education’s (DepEd) existing learner protection programs into permanent law, guaranteeing sustained national funding for campus security, anti-bullying, and mental health safeguards across future generations.
Attending the Senate plenary session where Senator Aquino sponsored the bill, Secretary Angara thanked lawmakers for championing the measure.
Senator Aquino urged Congress to prioritize the legislation and requested its inclusion in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority list, drawing broad support and co-sponsorships from several senators.
Secretary Angara emphasized President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive that schools must remain safe havens for learning, noting that protecting students requires a whole-of-community commitment.
The Comprehensive School Safety Act establishes a clear three-pillar framework:
- Prevention: Mandates risk identification along with safety training for parents, teachers, and student leaders.
- Response: Outlines emergency protocols, communication networks, active attack safety drills, and direct coordination with law enforcement.
- Recovery: Ensures psychosocial support, trauma-informed care, and structured return-to-school plans for affected personnel and families.
To reinforce physical security, DepEd’s active campaign equips public schools with handheld metal detectors, visitor management systems, regular bag inspections, perimeter fencing, CCTV networks, and increased police patrols.
Concurrently, DepEd is expanding its mental health and child protection services under DepEd Order No. 006, s. 2026, or the ESMLE guidelines.
Key initiatives include reinforcing Child Protection Committees, expanding the National Learners Telesafe Contact Center Helpline in partnership with the NCMH, and fast-tracking the recruitment of 10,000 School Counselor Associates to identify warning signs of distress early.
