Angara Backs School Safety Bill as Senate Takes Up Measure

Education Secretary Endorses Comprehensive School Safety Bill

Education Secretary Sonny Angara publicly voiced his full support for Senate Bill No. 2426, the proposed Comprehensive School Safety Act, during a Senate session on Wednesday. The bill, authored by Senator Bam Aquino, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, seeks to institutionalize the Department of Education's existing learner protection programs into permanent law.

"We extend our deepest gratitude to Senator Bam Aquino, as well as the co-authors of the Comprehensive School Safety Act," Angara said, as quoted by The Manila Times and SunStar Publishing Inc. "This measure institutionalizes our ongoing reforms, including the nationwide School Safety Campaign and the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE)."

The education chief emphasized that converting current campus security, anti-bullying, and mental health support protocols into a permanent national framework would guarantee these safeguards remain funded and sustained for future generations.

Bill's Origin and Legislative Support

Senator Bam Aquino, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, filed the bill, which seeks to institutionalize the Department of Education's (DepEd) existing learner protection initiatives. Angara attended the Senate session on Wednesday to witness the bill's sponsorship. During the session, Aquino urged Congress to prioritize the measure and requested its inclusion in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority list. Several senators co-sponsored the bill.

Context: Response to Recent School Shootings

The legislative push follows security concerns stemming from school shooting incidents in Tacloban City and Zamboanga City. Angara visited the affected communities to meet with local officials, school personnel, parents, injured students, and bereaved families.

Quoting President Ferdinand R. Marcos , Angara said, "Our schools must remain safe havens for learning." He added, "Protecting our children requires a whole-of-community commitment."

Key Provisions of the Bill

The proposed law aims to institutionalize the Department of Education's (DepEd) existing learner protection initiatives, ensuring continued funding and implementation. According to Angara, the measure "institutionalizes our ongoing reforms, including the nationwide School Safety Campaign and the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE)."

The bill establishes a three-pillar framework: prevention, response, and recovery. The prevention pillar mandates safety training for parents, teachers, and student leaders. The response pillar outlines emergency protocols, communication networks, and coordination with authorities. The recovery pillar ensures psychosocial support, trauma-informed care, and structured return-to-school plans.

Angara said the bill would convert campus security, anti-bullying, and mental health support protocols into a permanent national framework, guaranteeing sustained funding and implementation beyond current measures.

Context: Previous Incidents and Existing Measures

The bill follows school shooting incidents in Tacloban City and Zamboanga City about which few details were provided in the reports. Angara visited affected communities, meeting with local officials, school personnel, parents, injured students, and bereaved families.

Under existing Department of Education measures, Angara described the campaign as involving handheld metal detectors, visitor management systems, bag inspections, perimeter fencing, and CCTV networks. He also noted enhanced police patrols and strategic deployment of security personnel based on school needs.

The department is also strengthening student protection services and mental health support. Citing Department of Education Order No. 006, the reports state that the reinforced Learner Protection Committees, an expanded National Telehealth Center helpline, and the hiring of 10,000 school counselor associates are part of these efforts.

Senator Aquino's Call for Priority

During the Senate session on Wednesday, Senator Aquino, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, urged Congress to prioritize the bill and include it in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority list. Several senators stood to co-sponsor the measure.

Education Secretary Angara expressed gratitude to Aquino and the co-sponsors, stating: "This measure institutionalizes our ongoing reforms, including the nationwide School Safety Campaign and the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE)." He added that the bill guarantees these safeguards remain funded and sustained for future generations.

Angara also quoted President Ferdinand Marcos , who said schools must remain "safe havens for learning." Angara emphasized that protecting children requires a whole-of-community commitment.

We have contacted the Department of Education and Senator Aquino's office for further comment but have not yet received a response at the time of publication.