The Division of City Schools in Manila is adjusting its campus entry procedures after strict bag inspections triggered long queues that extended into public roads, sparking complaints from parents.
Manila Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Sheryll Gayola acknowledged that the rollout of the tighter security measures created severe bottlenecks during its first week, primarily because security personnel frequently detected metal objects in bags.
“Aminado po tayo noong unang linggo na ini-implement natin ito nang buong-buo, medyo ang naging problema una noong time na yun ay marami talagang tayong na-detect na mga metal objects sa bag,” Gayola stated in a radio interview.
To resolve the delays and ensure student safety, the division has ordered schools to evaluate their screening speeds and deploy additional inspection equipment, especially in highly populated campuses.
“Nagkaroon ng instruction na bilangin kung ilan yung kayang i-cover sa loob ng isang minuto para makatiyak na madadgadagan ng mga eskwelahan, lalo na yung malalaking paaralan yung kanilang mga handheld na metal scanner,” she explained.
Furthermore, administrators have been instructed to modify their entry layouts. Instead of conducting inspections right at the main gates, schools are advised to bring students inside the campus perimeter first before checking their belongings.
“Kailangan mag-isip ng stratehiya ang paaralan kung paano mapapapasok muna sa paaralan ang mga bata para doon isagawa ang bag search bago sila papasukin sa kanilang silid-aralan,” she said.
The strict screening guidelines were originally implemented by local government units following a string of violent incidents in various schools across the country.