Senate Basic Education Committee Chairperson Sen. Bam Aquino called for faster government action on school safety and classroom construction, saying recent incidents of violence and delays in building classrooms require immediate intervention.
Aquino made the call amid recent school shooting incidents in Tacloban and Zamboanga, as well as other reports of violence in schools.
He said the incidents underscore the need for preventive measures and immediate passage of the proposed School Safety Act.
“Hindi ito nangyari sa Pilipinas. But now that we’ve seen, dalawa na ito in a span of less than two months, mahalaga na umaksyon tayo ka agad,” Aquino said.
The proposed measure would establish a National School Safety Framework that schools would localize based on their respective security needs.
It would provide for physical security measures such as walk-through or handheld metal detectors, expanded closed-circuit television coverage, regular bag inspections and security deployments involving police, barangay tanods and Parent-Teacher Association volunteers.
The bill would also establish emergency response and medical coordination protocols to guide schools during security threats and other emergencies.
Aquino said school safety efforts should also address online environments where young people may be exposed to harmful content and possible radicalization.
He said the concern is not primarily video games but unmonitored online chat groups where minors could be exposed to individuals or communities promoting violent behavior.
“It’s not the games. It’s really the chat groups. It’s the lack of controls pagating sa infiltration ng mga chat groups,” Aquino said.
He cited the radicalization of some combatants during the Marawi siege as an example of how online platforms can be used to influence individuals toward extreme behavior.
The proposed School Safety Act would also empower school heads and local government units to regulate the use of personal gadgets during class hours and support measures against online groups that target minors for radicalization.
Aquino also said he would oppose proposed reductions in education spending as Congress prepares to deliberate on the national budget.
He said education funding should reach at least 4 percent of gross domestic product, noting that figures released by the Department of Budget and Management currently put the allocation at about 3.5 percent.
Aquino said both Senate majority and minority members have agreed on the need to prioritize education funding, citing the constitutional mandate giving education priority in the national budget.
He said adequate funding would be needed for universal school feeding programs covering Kindergarten to Grade 3, learner catch-up programs and school security infrastructure.
Aquino also criticized delays in classroom construction despite a P67-billion allocation for the program.
With August already underway, he urged implementing agencies to accelerate construction and release funds to local government units where necessary.
“August na! Umulan na! Sabi ko, baliwala ang 67 billion kung hindi natin tumatatayo sabi ko, double time, triple time, over time yung kailangan natin dito to get these classrooms up,” he said.
Aquino said every delayed classroom could force another student to attend double- or triple-shift classes or study in covered courts and makeshift facilities.
He said agencies need to improve project implementation so the allocated funds result in actual classrooms and students can gain access to proper learning environments.
Aquino said addressing school violence, online radicalization and classroom shortages should remain among the government’s immediate education priorities.
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