Education Secretary Sonny Angara proposed the creation of a Joint School Safety Task Force with the Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine National Police to conduct site-specific security audits of public schools in the country.
Angara sought the audit in the wake of the third school shooting in the country this year.
Angara visited the Banga National High School in South Cotabato, the site of the latest shooting, to convey his sympathies to the victims’ families and to hold a dialogue with them, assuring them of the DepEd’s support.
He also said the DepEd would ensure that affected members of the school community receive psychological first aid and psychosocial support.
He said the DepEd, the DILG, and the PNP will review the measures implemented for school safety and review gaps in the protocols being followed.
The joint task force will assess the critical parts of campus security, including control of those entering school premises, reporting of threats, and emergency response.
The data collected will be used as basis for concrete action.
“This operational framework is not intended to create another permanent bureaucracy, but rather to bring the agencies together to assess specific risks, identify gaps, and recommend concrete interventions. Since the circumstances and vulnerabilities of schools may differ from one area to another, we need to assess risks on the ground and identify interventions appropriate to each school and community,” he said.
Three students, including the suspected gunman, were killed in the South Cotabato incident. Eight were wounded.