PASAY CITY, Philippines — The Senate on Monday, September 21, unanimously passed on third and final reading a bill establishing standardized safety measures across all public and private educational institutions in the country, following a recent spate of deadly campus shootings.
Senate Bill No. 2426, officially titled the Comprehensive School Safety Act, secured unanimous approval with 17 affirmative votes, recording no negative votes or abstentions.
Senator Bam Aquino, sponsor of the legislation, stressed the necessity of maintaining academic institutions as secure environments for youth development:
“Schools should be a safe space where our children learn, develop their character, and build their dreams. It should not be a place of fear, harm, or violence. We cannot accept that this has become a normal part of school life,” Aquino said.
The legislative move gained heightened urgency after three campus shootings were reported within a three-month span, including a recent incident in South Cotabato that left three students dead and several others injured.
The measure consolidates current regulations on child protection, mental health, and disaster management into a single operational framework for both public and private schools nationwide. It establishes a national school safety system setting uniform crisis guidelines, physical campus security standards, and screening procedures through a collaborative community approach.
Under the proposed law, every educational institution must formulate a localized School Safety Plan focused on three primary areas: risk assessment and training under prevention; structured protocols during active crises under emergency response; and trauma-informed psychosocial care under recovery.
Additionally, the bill introduces stricter physical security protocols, including mandatory metal detectors, bag inspections at school gates, and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in common areas. The measure also prohibits the use of personal electronic gadgets during class hours.
Aquino emphasized that uniform guidelines are crucial to ensure school administrators can act immediately during emergency situations rather than improvising under pressure:
“In times of crisis, every second counts. When there is a threat, our schools should not be left guessing whether to lock down or evacuate, or whom to call for immediate help. We are connecting existing measures into one clear, comprehensive system,” he said.