Philippine senators push for Comprehensive School Safety Act

Philippine senators are pushing for urgent legislative action to enhance campus security following recent fatal shootings in Zamboanga City and Tacloban City. Senator Bam Aquino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, is set to sponsor Senate Bill 2390, known as the Comprehensive School Safety Act.

The proposed legislation aims to establish a national school safety framework that requires local implementation. Key measures include mandatory annual safety plans, physical security upgrades such as metal detectors and CCTV, regular bag inspections, and coordinated emergency response protocols involving police and community volunteers. Aquino emphasized that the act must address not only physical safeguards but also digital safety and behavioral risks.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go also raised concerns regarding security lapses, noting Department of Education data that indicates only approximately 36 percent of schools nationwide comply with essential security measures. Lawmakers are calling for a multifaceted approach to address gaps in child protection, mental health, and responsible firearms ownership to prevent further violence in educational institutions.