MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Win Gatchalian on Sunday, September 20, advocated for the passage of a comprehensive school safety framework to curb campus violence following the recent deadly shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato.
Under Senate Bill No. 1110, which creates the National Comprehensive School Safety Framework, every educational institution would be mandated to create and annually update a localized School Safety Plan to operationalize protective measures.
“Hindi sapat ang reactive response. Kailangan nating maging proactive — kilalanin ang mga banta, pigilan ang insidente bago mangyari, at tiyaking ligtas ang bawat paaralan,” said Gatchalian, who co-authored and co-sponsored the measure.
The proposed legislation tasks the Department of Education (DepEd), in coordination with local government units and other state agencies, to establish and maintain safety standards covering threat prevention, emergency response, and post-incident recovery.
Additionally, schools would be required to maintain a regularly updated School Safety Handbook containing emergency protocols, student support resources, and a School Code of Conduct that defines unacceptable behavior alongside clear disciplinary and restorative actions.
Denouncing the Banga National High School attack—which marks the third recent school shooting alongside prior incidents in Tacloban and Zamboanga City—Gatchalian called on authorities to swiftly address the crisis.
“I urge our law enforcement authorities, local officials, and the Department of Education (DepEd) to conduct a swift and thorough investigation and extend all possible assistance to the victims,” he said.
“Hindi dapat maging normal ang karahasan sa ating mga paaralan. Patuloy na makikipagtulungan ang inyong lingkod sa lahat ng sektor upang palakasin ang school safety measures at protektahan ang bawat batang Pilipino,” Gatchalian added.