As it strengthens campus security following recent incidents of school violence in the country, the Cebu City Government will procure and install metal detectors at the entrances of public and private schools.
Mayor Nestor Archival said the acquisition is being processed through emergency procurement to fast-track the installation of the security equipment before more schools resume regular operations.
The city is finalizing the list of schools that will receive the metal detectors after completing an assessment of existing security measures on campuses.
Initial findings showed that 44 public schools have security guards but no metal detectors, while 30 others have neither security guards nor metal detectors.
The Department of Education (DepEd) is also verifying security arrangements in private schools to identify campuses that may need the equipment.
Archival said the emergency procurement would allow the city to immediately address security gaps identified during the assessment and strengthen access control in schools.
The initiative expands on the city government’s earlier plan to provide handheld metal detectors to school security personnel as part of efforts to improve campus safety.
Aside from installing metal detectors, the city is preparing what Archival described as Cebu City’s first active shooter drill for schools.
The exercise, to be conducted in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), aims to familiarize school administrators, teachers, students, and security personnel with emergency response procedures during active shooter situations and other violent incidents on campus.
The mayor said the drill is intended to improve coordination among schools, law enforcement agencies, and emergency responders while ensuring school communities are prepared to respond during emergencies.
Beyond physical security, Archival said the city is also consulting mental health professionals to develop long-term strategies for preventing school violence.
He said a council composed of more than 165 registered psychometricians, psychologists, and lawyers has been asked to formulate recommendations on school safety protocols and interventions addressing the behavioral and psychological factors linked to violence.
A meeting with the group has been scheduled this week.
The consultation follows the mayor’s earlier call for greater involvement of mental health experts, guidance counselors, educators, and other stakeholders in addressing the root causes of violence in schools alongside tighter security measures.
The installation of metal detectors forms part of the city’s broader school security program.
Last week, Archival said the city would seek funding from the Local School Board to purchase handheld metal detectors for public schools while strengthening emergency response systems through closer coordination with law enforcement agencies.
Among the additional measures being introduced is the activation of emergency alert buttons on mobile phones, allowing school officials to immediately notify authorities during emergencies.
Emergency hotline numbers will also be prominently displayed in schools and other public places to provide quick access to police and rescue services.
The Cebu City Police Office is likewise developing a mobile panic button application that will automatically alert the five nearest police stations once activated, enabling faster police response based on the user’s location.
The city government is also coordinating with DepEd, school administrators, the police, and other stakeholders to review campus access controls, visitor management systems, emergency reporting protocols, and law enforcement coordination.
During the city’s Oplan Balik-Eskwela briefing, authorities reported that 453 police personnel had been deployed to secure 171 schools across Cebu City through Police Assistance Desks, foot patrol teams, and mobile patrol units as part of heightened security operations for the opening of classes.
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