This initiative aims to bring together different stakeholders and strengthen existing mechanisms.
Days after the grim school shooting incident in Tacloban City last Monday, the Department of Education (DepEd) has stepped up its measures for the protection of students and security on campuses nationwide.
Under this initiative, DepEd aims to bring together schools, parents, local government units (LGUs), authorities, and other sectors of the community to strengthen mechanisms for the prevention, reporting, response, and intervention against bullying, improve safety within school premises, and ensure prompt assistance to students and staff.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara on the launch of the School Safety Campaign: “We are moving with urgency because protecting our children is our absolute priority, and as President Bongbong Marcos always emphasizes, our schools must strictly remain safe zones for learning.”
He added, “Hindi natin hahayaang malagay sa panganib ang ating mga mag-aaral. Kaya lalo nating hihigpitan ang koordinasyon sa ating mga partner at stakeholder upang masigurong hindi na mauulit ang ganitong trahedya.”
The directive was implemented following the June 22 shooting incident involving two students inside the San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, which resulted in the deaths of three students while more than a dozen others were injured.
During his visit to Tacloban the day after the incident, Angara ordered the immediate implementation of stricter security protocols in schools.
To prevent similar incidents, the DepEd has launched the multi-layered measures under the School Safety Campaign, which include upgrading campus security where all public schools will be equipped with handheld metal detectors, a stricter visitor management system, regular bag inspections, installation of CCTV cameras, and strategic deployment of security personnel.
DepEd has since released funds for public schools to purchase handheld metal detectors and repair perimeter fences.
It also encouraged Local School Boards to use the Special Education Fund (SEF) to fund measures for the safety and security of schools, in accordance with existing laws and policies.
At the same time, safety audits will also be conducted on the physical structures of schools—including fences, visitor walkways, lighting, and emergency exits—to identify and strengthen high-risk campuses.
Alongside physical security, school leaders are also being systematically reoriented on the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE), the Anti-Bullying Act, and existing child protection policies and are being guided through a comprehensive review of reporting, investigation, referral, and intervention procedures at the school level.
Schools Division Offices (SDOs) are already collaborating with local police, parents, and barangay officials to strengthen community coordination.
Angara also called a meeting with all regional directors of the DepEd to ensure the swift and uniform implementation of the new security protocols nationwide and ordered that there shall be strict vigilance in each schools division to guarantee compliance with the new security directives.
Meanwhile, at the national level, the DepEd is also actively aligning response protocols with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), Liga ng mga Barangays, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Department of Health (DOH).
According to DepEd, the campaign will further tighten case management and inter-agency referral under the ESMLE procedures to ensure prompt coordination with local social welfare, police, and health offices.
SDOs will also continue to engage with the leaders of Supreme Learner Governments (SLGs) and School Governing Parent-Teacher Associations (SGPTAs) to obtain reports on bullying, cyberbullying, and barriers to reporting threats.
Moreover, DepEd is setting up easily accessible and confidential hotlines for reporting bullying, violence, and other student protection concerns, while schools are also updating their emergency response protocols to effectively address active violence, lockdowns, and evacuations.
To address the risks in the digital landscape, DepEd will also have age-appropriate digital citizenship and online safety programs for students, parents, and school staff.
Programs such as the Learner Rights Protection on Wheels, are also being implemented in schools to encourage students to seek help, familiarize themselves with reporting and referral mechanisms, and become responsible “upstanders” against bullying and other forms of abuse.
Regarding parental involvement, the KAAGAPAY Program and other learner protection orientations are also being conducted.
Moreover, the Department is strengthening coordination with various agencies through the CANE+D (Case Management of Child Victims of Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, and Discrimination) protocol developed with the Department of Justice, Council for the Welfare of Children, and other partner institutions.
DepEd also continues to collaborate with Stairway Foundation, Social Watch Philippines, and other civil society organizations to enhance learner protection programs and capacity-building activities in schools.
Meanwhile, the Department has ensured that a comprehensive intervention program is in place so that victims, perpetrators, and witnesses of violence can receive immediate psychological first aid, counseling, and psychosocial support, always guided by the best interests of the children.
“Pinalalakas natin ang koordinasyon ng mga paaralan, lokal na pamahalaan, kapulisan, mga ahensya ng gobyerno, at mga katuwang na organisasyon upang maagapan ang mga panganib at matiyak na nananatiling ligtas ang ating mga paaralan,” said Angara in a previous meeting with different stakeholders.
He also said then, “Hindi tayo papayag na maging bahagi ng pagpasok sa paaralan ng ating mga anak ang takot. Gagawin natin ang lahat upang higit pang mapalakas ang seguridad, mailapit ang kinakailangang suporta, at maagapan ang mga panganib bago pa ito lumala.”
RESPONSE AND AID TO THOSE AFFECTED BY THE TACLOBAN INCIDENT
Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the scool shooting incident, the Schools Division Office of Tacloban City has conducted a Psychological First Aid (PFA) from June 23 to 26 to help students and teachers affected by the incident process and cope with what they experienced and restore their sense of safety.
The psychosocial intervention was conducted in collaboration with various agencies and institutions, including the PNP, University of the Philippines Tacloban, Department of Health (DOH), and various partners.
The Tacloban City Schools Division Office also conducted a school safety orientation for all school heads in collaboration with the PNP Tacloban, which covered emergency preparedness, threat identification and reporting, school security protocols, crisis response, and the important role of school leaders in fostering learner protection.
In addition to the immediate response, DepEd also continues to conduct training and orientations for teachers, guidance personnel, and parents to better identify signs of bullying, violence, and other dangers that may affect students.
DepEd assured students, parents, teachers, and school staff of its continued support for the San Jose National High School community as they move forward with their recovery.