The use of transparent bags is being considered in some Mandaue City schools as part of a broader approach to strengthening campus security and preventing violence, the Department of Education (DepEd) Mandaue City Division said.
Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Bianito Dagatan said schools should consider multiple measures rather than rely on a single intervention to address safety concerns.
“Daghang kaayo and dili lang pwede nga usa lang ka angle atong tan-awon, daghan atong tan-awon regarding this issue,” Dagatan said in an interview.
He said transparent bags could complement other security and preparedness measures, including walkthroughs, handheld metal detectors and security cameras.
The division is also considering measures beyond physical security, including students’ emotional and mental preparedness and the role of parents in keeping children safe.
Dagatan said school heads have the flexibility to adopt measures appropriate to their schools, particularly when these are discussed and agreed upon with parents.
“Part pod sa principal empowerment and school management that if they agree among the parents nga ingon ana then they can… implement it,” he said.
His statement came as Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion-Mandaue and a public school in Barangay Jagobiao planned to require students to use transparent bags.
CIC-Mandaue Director Rotie Gabuya said the school discussed the proposal with its Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) to make bag checks and monitoring easier.
“For easy checking and monitoring,” Gabuya said.
She added that most parents supported the proposal.
Dagatan said one public school in Mandaue has already started using transparent bags, although he noted that full compliance may take time.
“Actually, we have one school nga nag start na og implement, sa public,” he said.
He said the division would continue considering “all possible solution” that could help prevent violence rather than treating transparent bags as the sole measure for school safety.
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