SENATE President Sherwin T. Gatchalian on Tuesday called for stronger coordination between school communities and police authorities following increased bomb threats directed at universities in Metro Manila.
“Amidst the various threats to the safety of our schools, it is crucial that we strengthen the participation of our communities in bolstering school security,” Mr. Gatchalian said in Filipino in a statement.
“We can achieve this through the Comprehensive School Safety Act, which we approved in the Senate,” he added.
Senate Bill No. 2426, or the Comprehensive School Safety Act, which Mr. Gatchalian co-sponsored, creates a permanent, nationwide framework to protect learners and school personnel from physical violence, disasters and health emergencies.
The measure mandates the Department of Education to collaborate with local government units (LGUs) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in establishing, maintaining and regularly updating a national school safety framework, the Senate president said, noting the PNP will maintain campus security as LGUs implement school safety programs.
Mr. Gatchalian’s statement came after the National Capital Region Police Office’s moved to increase awareness amid a rise in bomb threats in Metro Manila’s schools.
Bomb threat letters on Oct. 23 were found inside women’s restrooms at the University of Santo Tomas, forcing the university to shift to remote learning. Three days later, De La Salle University evacuated its Manila campus on Oct. 26 after receiving a bomb threat via e-mail. — Francessca S. Abalos