DepEd lags in school safety push

THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday said it is facing hurdles in the implementation of a department order (DO) seeking to address school violence, with only 36% of schools nationwide complying.

“Based on our audit, we are only around 36% in terms of the compliance of our schools. But the good thing here is, of the 36%, mostly are schools located in hotspot areas,” Education Undersecretary Malcolm S. Garma said in Filipino.

The DO No. 6, s. 2026, otherwise known as the Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment, outlined security needs, such as the use of metal detectors and closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs).

Mr. Garma added they are also in the process of institutionalizing bag searches and also sought the Senate’s assistance to fund the construction of perimeter fence.

“Right now, there is no dedicated budget for perimeter fencing,” he said, noting that seven out of 10 schools have perimeter fencing. “That would already be a deterrent for internal elements.”

However, he said that the height and materials used for fences, such as wood and bamboo, are not ideal.

He reported that four out of 10 schools have installed CCTVs, but 80% of them have only less than 10 cameras, while only one out of 10 has metal detectors in place.

In the case of the San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte, Mr. Garma said they found eight CCTVs working.

However, he flagged that the CCTVs in schools may be located in areas with blind spots, adding that the cameras should be installed in strategic locations.

“There are blind spots. These are opportunities where, even if you have secured the gates, there are still entry points,” Mr. Garma said.

“The important thing about CCTV in the case of the Tacloban incident was that when it is already happening, the teachers or security personnel may be directed to the areas where the shooters were,” Committee Chairperson Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino IV said, seconding Mr. Garma.

Mr. Aquino also requested the Philippine National Police to come up with a recommendation on the ratio of security personnel to students. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel