Malacañang on Monday expressed support for efforts to limit cellphone use in schools to improve student concentration but flagged concerns over the reasonableness of penalties under a local policy in Dumanjug, Cebu that requires confiscated devices to be returned only at the end of the school year.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the national government recognizes the intent of the policy implemented in Dumanjug, which enforces a total ban on mobile phones in public schools starting June 29.
Castro said the administration sees merit in the goal of reducing distractions among students.
“Maganda naman po yung kanyang layunin para po mas magkaroon ng concentration ang mga bata sa kanilang pag-aaral ,” she said.
However, she questioned the penalty mechanism, particularly the rule that confiscated phones will only be returned after the school year ends.
“Ang ating nabasa ata ay after the school year. Hindi ko alam kung tama po yung penalty na ibibigay kung makatwiran ba siya o reasonable,” Castro said.
She also noted that several schools already implement similar restrictions without full confiscation policies.
“May mga schools na po, especially private schools, talagang ban na ang cellphones during classes. Naibabalik naman ito after ng klase so pwede naman nilang gamitin, especially during emergency cases,” she said.
The remarks came as discussions continue on student safety and discipline in schools following reported incidents of violence in different parts of the country, including a deadly shooting in Tacloban City.
The Dumanjug policy, issued by Mayor Efren Guntrano “Gungun” Gica, enforces a strict no-phone rule in all public schools, with confiscation for students who bring devices and return only after the academic year.
In a Facebook post, Gica said enforcement begins immediately under a total prohibition.
“To all school heads: No, in Dumanjug, it is a total ban. There are no phones allowed in school. Starting Monday, if a student brings a phone, it will be confiscated and only returned at the end of the school year,” he said.
“If you do not wish to follow this policy, you have the option to transfer your children to another municipality,” he added.
Gica said the measure is meant to encourage students to focus on learning and social interaction.
“We want our kids to read, study, and interact with their classmates,” he said.
He also reiterated broader reforms aimed at improving discipline and values formation in schools.
Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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