Aimed at funding security, crisis preparedness, emergency response, staff training, and overall learner support.
According to the Department of Education, it is requesting for a permanent and dedicated line-item allocation in the agency’s proposed 2027 national budget worth PHP976 billion budget to address safety deficiencies in the basic education system.
The move comes in light of recent chain of incidents of violence in several schools across the country, with the most-prominent being the school shooting incidents in Tacloban last June, which killed 3 students, and the recent one in Zamboanga City that had two casualties, including the perpetrator.
According to Education Secretary Sonny Angara, the Department is already coordinating with lawmakers to designate a separate line-item in the next national budget, reinforcing existing safety measures under DepEd Order No. 6, s. 2026 (Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE) policy).
Under the line-item budget request, funding will be directly allocated for critical security facilities and support staff, including security guards, School Counselor Associates (SCAs), closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems, school fences, and walk-through and handheld metal detectors.
“Ang kaligtasan ng ating mga mag-aaral ay nangangailangan ng patuloy at sapat na pamumuhunan,” emphasized Angara. “Kaya sa panukalang 2027 budget, nakatutok tayo sa pagpopondo sa seguridad, crisis preparedness, emergency response, training ng ating mga tauhan, at pangkalahatang learner support bilang magkakaugnay na prayoridad.”
The expanded designation of School Counselor Associates also aims to create an early intervention system to identify red flags in behavior, anti-bullying, and mental health before they lead to more serious incidents on campus.
Angara also noted that although the current Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) covers the general needs of schools, it often goes to electricity and water bills, teaching equipment, and administrative upkeep—resulting to the lack in budget for security and dedicated personnel.
“Sa kasalukuyan, umaasa lang ang karamihan sa MOOE. Dahil nagkakaiba ang MOOE depende sa laki ng paaralan, hindi pantay-pantay ang kapasidad nilang magpatupad ng seguridad. Kapag naging ganap na line item ito, mas matutugunan natin ang pangangailangan ng bawat eskwelahan nang mas mabilis at organisado,” he added.
The DepEd is also urging local government units (LGUs) to support the fund by using the Special Education Fund (SEF) for immediate security needs.
“Habang ginagawa natin ang ating bahagi sa pambansang badyet, itinutulak din natin ang pakikipagtulungan sa mga LGU na mayroong SEF dahil shared responsibility ng buong lipunan ang kaligtasan ng ating mga mag-aaral,” added Angara.
DepEd is also emphasizing mental health and psychosocial support, while also reaffirming its commitment to working with Congress, LGUs, other government agencies regarding the matter.
