In the wake of a devastating mass shooting at a public school in Tacloban City that claimed the lives of three students and injured more than 20 others, Senator Bam Aquino is pushing for the immediate passage of the School Safety Act.
Speaking at a Senate Committee on Basic Education hearing focused on the June 8 tragedy, Aquino underscored the severity of the crisis.
“Sa Tacloban City, mayroong insidente ng pamamaril na nagresulta sa pagkamatay ng tatlong estudyante at pagkasugat sa mahigit dalawampung bata,” Aquino noted.
The lawmaker voiced deep concern over a rising wave of violence within Philippine educational institutions, pointing out that this was not an isolated event.
“Sa nakalipas na buwan, sunod-sunod po iyong ulat ng karahasan sa ating mga paaralan. Nariyan ang stabbing incident sa Negros Occidental,” he added.
To combat this trend, the proposed measure aims to establish a comprehensive security framework that goes far beyond existing anti-bullying protocols by upgrading physical safeguards.
“Kaya sa panukalang ito, pinalalakas natin ang on and off-campus security. Pinalalawak natin ang paggamit ng (security cameras),” Aquino explained.
Furthermore, the bill takes a holistic approach by integrating mental health resources and fostering multi-agency cooperation to protect the entire school ecosystem.
“Pinalalakas natin ang mental health at psychosocial support para sa ating mga estudyante at mga guro. At mas pinatitibay natin ang koordinasyon ng mga paaralan, lokal na pamahalaan, at mga law enforcement agencies,” he said.
Urging his colleagues to unite on the matter, Aquino stressed that the protection of the youth should transcend political divisions.
“Kapag kaligtasan ng ating mga anak ang nakataya, iisa lamang ang dapat nating layunin: ang matiyak na ang bawat paaralan ay isang lugar ng kaligtasan,” he concluded.