The Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd 7) clarified that students are still allowed to bring mobile phones to schools, but their use inside classrooms remains regulated under existing policies.
The clarification was made during the July 6 regular session of the Cebu Provincial Board, where education officials discussed campus safety measures following recent incidents that raised concerns over the security of students and teachers.
Cebu Province Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Senen Paulin said DepEd Order No. 6, Series of 2006, or the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment, does not impose a total ban on mobile phones inside school campuses.
Instead, Paulin said students may bring their devices but are prohibited from using them during class hours unless teachers allow their use for learning activities.
The statement came amid calls for stricter school security measures, including discussions on whether mobile phones should be prohibited inside campuses.
Paulin said mobile phones also serve an important purpose, particularly in allowing students to communicate with their parents during emergencies.
DepEd-7 Regional Director Dr. Arturo Bayocot said any additional security policies must be carefully reviewed to ensure that they comply with existing laws, including data privacy regulations and constitutional rights.
“We want to go beyond, but there are legal premises that we have to be careful of—the Data Privacy Act and the constitutional rights of our children not to be inspected. That’s why we are still waiting for a written authority for us to do that, and we will happily implement it as long as there is a legal basis,” Bayocot said.
Bayocot added that the department respects safety measures that may be adopted by local government units, as long as these remain consistent with national laws and DepEd guidelines.
The discussion on gadget use was part of a broader dialogue on strengthening school security before the Provincial Board.
Board Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III raised concerns over recent school-related incidents, saying these highlighted the need for schools and government agencies to review their safety protocols.
Education officials said schools have been encouraged to use portions of their Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) for security equipment, including metal detectors, to strengthen entrance monitoring.
However, Paulin noted that some schools continue to face infrastructure limitations that make stricter security measures difficult to implement.
“No matter how stringent our security measures are in the school, there are schools where stringent security measures do not take effect because, for one, some of our schools are not even fenced,” Paulin said.
Aside from physical security measures, DepEd said schools continue to implement the Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) program and other values formation initiatives.
Teachers trained in Psychological First Aid will also continue providing mental health support to learners in schools without dedicated guidance counselors.
The Provincial Board later approved through an omnibus motion measures encouraging public and private schools in Cebu Province to strengthen campus security, improve emergency response systems, coordinate with law enforcement agencies, and enhance student safety and mental health programs.
The measures support Governor Pamela Baricuatro’s Cebu Safe Schools Program under Executive Order No. 35.
Photo courtesy of Palatinate
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