In response to a recent surge of violent incidents in schools, Senator Bam Aquino announced that his Committee on Basic Education will prioritize the passage of the proposed School Safety Act to strengthen campus security and safeguard students.
The measure, initially aimed at addressing bullying, has been expanded following the San Jose National High School shooting in Tacloban City, a stabbing incident outside a high school in Negros Occidental, and other reported student-related violence across the country.
On Wednesday, Aquino personally visited the families of the three Tacloban victims and checked on the injured students, offering support as they recover from the tragedy.
“Protecting students is our top priority. The School Safety Act will now cover not only bullying, but also safety protocols for team-building and off-campus activities,” Aquino said.
Key provisions under the proposed law include a dedicated School Safety Hotline, alert systems, expanded CCTV coverage, and an increased presence of police officers, security guards, and barangay tanods within school grounds.
Aquino also signaled plans to file a measure reviewing and amending the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, focusing on strengthening provisions related to children involved in heinous crimes. “We aim to reinforce accountability while ensuring protections for minors,” he said.
The senator expressed support for additional proposals restricting social media access for children under 15, citing the need to shield minors from harmful online content.
Senate Resolution No. 469, filed by Aquino, calls for an investigation into the Tacloban school shooting to help prevent the presence and use of firearms and other deadly weapons in and around educational institutions.
“Ensuring safe campuses is not just a government duty. Parents, educators, and the entire community have a role in protecting our children,” Aquino said. “We owe it to our youth to provide secure learning environments and to parents the assurance that their children are safe.”
During his Tacloban visit, Aquino received a tip about another planned school attack. He immediately relayed the information to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who took steps to prevent the incident.