Less than half of public schools have CCTVs, guards – DepEd

Department of Education Central Office in Pasig City —Inquirer photo/Niño Jesus Orbeta

MANILA, Philippines — Only three in 10 public schools nationwide have security guards while only four in 10 have security cameras, according to data presented on Thursday during a Senate hearing on a bill that seeks more resources for campus security, a concern made urgent by the deadly Tacloban City shooting incident last month.

The grimness of the June 22 attack, involving two teenage suspects and which left three high school students dead and 20 others injured, loomed large over the discussion on the proposed School Safety Act.

Article continues after this advertisement

The bill originally focused on addressing the problem of campus bullying, but its scope has now expanded to cover equipment upgrades, emergency response protocols, as well as enhanced mental health initiatives and closer community involvement, according to the author, Sen. Bam Aquino.FEATURED STORIES