Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. expressed support for a proposed law to bolster safety measures inside schools.
‘The PNP is ready to work closely with DepEd (Department of Education) and other stakeholders to ensure that schools remain safe and secure environments,’ Nartatez said in a statement on Friday.
‘We support measures that strengthen the protection of our learners,’ he noted.
The PNP chief particularly pointed to Senate Bill No. 2426 or the Comprehensive School Safety Bill, which Senate basic education committee chairperson Sen. Bam Aquino sponsored in the chamber on Wednesday.
The proposed law seeks to expand mental health and child protection services; establish school safety and risk prevention systems; outline guidelines on emergency response and recovery; and set standards for security infrastructure and visitor management.
The bill also consolidated measures seeking to strengthen anti-bullying protections; regulate the use of mobile devices in schools; and promote responsible social media use.
‘School safety must be preventive, responsive and supportive,’ Nartatez said.
‘We will continue strengthening police visibility, threat assessment, emergency preparedness and coordination with school authorities,’ he added