Jearhiana Angela Dela Cerna
TALISAY City is considering active-shooter preparedness drills in schools as part of efforts to strengthen campus security following recent shooting incidents in schools in Tacloban City and Zamboanga City.
Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. said the City Government plans to coordinate with police authorities on the possible conduct of drills that would prepare students and school personnel for an active-shooter situation, similar to existing earthquake and fire drills.
“Hopefully dili mahitabo (Hopefully, it won’t happen), but we have to be prepared if that happens,” Gullas said.
The proposed drills are part of a broader school-safety effort that includes bullying-prevention programs, security screening and training for school personnel.
Gullas said the City is also looking at possible factors linked to violence, including bullying and cyberbullying.
The City has been conducting bullying seminars with schools and guidance counselors to establish mechanisms that students can use to report bullying and ensure that their concerns reach the appropriate authorities.
Gullas cited a previous shooting threat at a public school in Talisay that was allegedly linked to the bullying of the suspect’s sibling as one reason the City is examining bullying as a possible factor in violent incidents.
The City has also purchased 100 metal detectors, which have been turned over to the Department of Education (DepEd) for use in public schools.
Security guards and school disaster-response heads have been trained on the proper use of the metal detectors and procedures for inspecting students’ bags.
Gullas said school safety requires coordination among the City Government, police, DepEd, parents and disaster-response groups.
“We have to coordinate,” Gullas said, stressing that different sectors must work together in addressing threats for the safety of schools in Talisay.
The proposed active-shooter drills have not yet been finalized and remain subject to coordination with police authorities.
Gullas said the objective is to strengthen preparedness while continuing efforts to prevent violence and address safety concerns in
Talisay schools.