BAIS CITY, NEGROS ORIENTAL — Education Secretary Sonny Angara personally inspected public schools in the Negros Island Region (NIR) on Thursday to assess campus safety protocols, check the condition of facilities, and directly engage with teachers and students.
Among the schools he visited were Bais City National High School, the largest public high school in the city, and Basay Central School, one of the oldest public elementary schools in Bayawan City.
These activities were conducted amid intensified national efforts to strengthen school security and student protection following recent campus security incidents, including the tragic shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School campus on August 18.
During his visit to NIR, Secretary Angara held dialogues with school administrators, teachers, and student representatives to personally hear their concerns on security and the need for psychosocial support. He emphasized that physical campus security must go hand in hand with mental health support to ensure a safe learning environment.
“Nabalitaan naman natin ang mga nangyari kamakailan at mas nakikita natin kung gaano kahalaga na sabay nating pangalagaan ang physical safety at overall well-being ng ating mga learners,” pahayag ni Angara.
(We have heard about the recent incidents, and we see even more how important it is to safeguard both the physical safety and the overall well-being of our learners.)
“Hindi lamang bagong opisina o classroom ang kailangan natin, kundi isang school environment kung saan ligtas, protektado, at komportable ang bawat bata na matuto.”
(What we need is not just new offices or classrooms, but a school environment where every child feels safe, protected, and comfortable to learn.)
To address security gaps identified in the national school security audit, the Department of Education (DepEd) is pushing in its proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget for funding to hire additional security personnel, improve security infrastructure, and deploy School Counselor Associates.
“Hindi lang physical security ang kailangan nating palakasin. Prevention and recovery also mean making sure that learners have trusted adults and proper support when they need help,” dagdag pa ni Angara.
(We must not only strengthen physical security. Prevention and recovery also mean making sure that learners have trusted adults and proper support when they need help.)
Angara also visited Ateneo de Zamboanga University on August 19 to check on the school community and reaffirm the Department’s continued support to the institution through the provision of Psychological First Aid (PFA) and psychosocial support in coordination with the school and mental health partners.
DepEd reiterated its call to the public, media, and content creators to be responsible and avoid spreading unverified details or sensitive images and videos related to incidents of campus violence.
The Department continues to work with local government units (LGUs), the police, school officials, and partner government agencies to strengthen security protocols while enhancing measures to protect learners. PR
