Senator Bam Aquino has introduced legislation aimed at creating a nationwide school safety infrastructure that would require educational institutions to implement a zero-tolerance policy against bullying, physical violence, abuse, and various safety hazards affecting students and school staff.
Senate Bill No. 2390, titled the proposed Comprehensive School Safety Act, mandates that schools set up accessible reporting channels to quickly assess and address bullying complaints alongside other security issues.
“Schools face a range of threats to the safety and well-being of learners and school personnel, including bullying, violence, abuse, harassment, emergencies, digital risks, unsafe conditions, and other emerging risks,” Aquino said in a statement on Thursday.
The proposed law directs the Department of Education, along with partner government agencies, to design a National Comprehensive School Safety Framework. This blueprint will encompass anti-bullying guidelines, online safety, mental health services, emergency response plans, and unified reporting protocols.
Additionally, educational institutions will be obligated to formulate and annually review school-specific safety plans covering emergency response procedures, crisis hotlines, physical security measures, digital risk management, local community coordination, and off-campus activity rules.
Depending on their specific risk evaluations, institutions may need to install infrastructure such as security cameras, metal detectors, visitor management tools, and emergency alert mechanisms, as well as station trained security personnel on campus.
The bill further requires routine safety drills, risk evaluations, and annual safety audits.
Beyond physical threats, the measure aims to bolster protections against cyberbullying and digital risks while providing psychosocial assistance, peer support initiatives, and early intervention programs for affected learners.
Emphasizing a proactive strategy, Aquino underscored that academic institutions must build systems capable of preventing threats before they escalate rather than merely reacting to incidents.
“We owe this to our teachers, who deserve a safe place to teach. And we owe it to every parent and guardian, to assure them that their government is doing everything to protect their children and keep them safe,” he said.