Pasay City – Senator Mark A. Villar is pushing for stronger security and emergency preparedness in schools through Senate Bill No. 2321, or the proposed Learning Institution’s Guaranteed Threat Avoidance and Safety Act (LIGTAS Act), amid violent incidents involving students and school personnel.
In recent months, shooting and stabbing incidents involving minors have been reported in schools across the country, including the deadly shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City and separate stabbing incidents in Cavite and Las Piñas.
‘These incidents are painful reminders that violence can happen even in places where our children are supposed to feel safest. Hindi natin puwedeng hayaang maging normal ang takot sa loob ng paaralan. We need to act before another life is lost,’ Villar said.
The LIGTAS Act seeks to establish a uniform school safety framework for all public and private basic education institutions from Kinder to Grade 12.
Among the bill’s salient features are increased police visibility and coordinated threat assessments; direct emergency hotlines with police, fire, and response units; immediate notification of parents during student emergencies; adequate first-aid and emergency equipment; and trained medical personnel and security guards.
The measure also calls for the strategic installation of CCTV cameras and appropriate security screening systems, as well as comprehensive school safety and security training for students and personnel.
Another key provision is the creation of a School Safety Council in every city and municipality, composed of local government, education, police, fire, disaster response, school, and parent representatives. The council will develop localized safety policies, coordinate emergency response efforts, and monitor schools’ compliance with safety standards.
‘Ang kaligtasan ng ating mga estudyante ay responsibilidad nating lahat. Kailangan ang koordinasyon ng schools, local governments, law enforcement, emergency responders, teachers, and parents to keep our children safe,’ Villar said.
‘Through the LIGTAS Act, we want safer and more prepared schools where every Filipino student is protected,’ Villar concluded.