Manila:The Senate-approved Comprehensive School Safety Act aims to bolster collaboration among schools, police, and local government units (LGUs) to tackle security threats, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian announced. This initiative follows a series of bomb scares at universities in Metro Manila.
According to Philippines News Agency, Gatchalian highlighted the importance of community involvement in safeguarding students and teachers, in light of the National Capital Region Police Office's (NCRPO) efforts to heighten awareness about bomb threats.
The Comprehensive School Safety Act, passed by the Senate, mandates the Department of Education (DepEd) to work with LGUs and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to develop and update a national school safety framework. The PNP will assist in ensuring campus security, while LGUs will support the execution of safety programs.
The Senate passed the measure on its third and final reading on September 21, with unanimous support. However, the bill has not yet become law, as similar proposals are pending in the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture.
Gatchalian, the author and co-sponsor of the measure, emphasized that enhanced cooperation among schools, communities, and law enforcement is crucial to preventing security threats from disrupting education. The NCRPO has ramped up awareness efforts after recent threats to Metro Manila universities, raising concerns about campus security.
