The House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, is looking to sustain programs for student mental health and protection in the proposed 2027 national budget amid growing concerns over violence in schools.
Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong, vice chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, said the deadly shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University reinforced the need to continue programs already funded under the 2026 General Appropriations Act.
Adiong said the House will determine whether the Department of Education (DepEd) has effectively used the money and filled thousands of positions intended to support students.
“Definitely because of the recent school shooting na na-experience natin, nakita natin, I think these programs should continue,” the veteran legislator said during an online press briefing.
“It’s become more disturbing knowing that in our schools, both public and private, ay nakakakita tayo o nakakakaranas tayo ng ganitong klaseng karahasan.”
“Lalong-lalo na po it’s become more disturbing knowing that in our schools, both public and private, ay nakakakita tayo o nakakakaranas tayo ng ganitong klaseng karahasan,” the seasoned lawmaker added.
Two junior high school students, including the shooter, were killed in the recent Ateneo de Zamboanga University shooting, renewing concerns over violence and security in schools.
He said Congress allocated P2.37 billion in the 2026 DepEd budget for the school-based mental health program, including support for additional personnel who can regularly assess and assist students.
The 2026 budget also funded 10,000 School Counselor Associate positions as part of efforts to expand mental health services in schools.
Adiong said the program is intended not only to address students’ mental health needs but also to help schools confront bullying and violence.
“Ang intention po talaga dito ay para po magkaroon ng periodic assessment at the same time, magkaroon po ng program, specific program that would counter ‘yung sinasabi nating bullying and violence in schools.”
“Ang intention po talaga dito ay para po magkaroon ng periodic assessment at the same time, magkaroon po ng program, specific program that would counter ‘yung sinasabi nating bullying and violence in schools,” he said.
Adiong also cited P89.92 billion under the 2026 DepEd budget for the child protection program intended to protect learners from abuse.
The implementation of these programs will come under closer scrutiny as the House deliberates on the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027.
Adiong said lawmakers want DepEd to account for how much of the existing funding has been used and how many of the intended personnel have actually been hired before determining the level of support needed next year.
“We hope that we can actually be able to be appraised with the ongoing program from DepEd, whether this allocation, this funding has been utilized, how many of the non-teaching personnel have been hired out of the 10,000 intended new items to be created,” he said.
The utilization rate and pace of hiring will help determine whether existing allocations should be augmented in 2027, Adiong said.
“We also like to find out kung how much has been utilized starting this year, and how many have been hired to supply the need for a guidance counselor per school all over the country,” he explained.
“So kung kinakailangan pang meron talagang way to augment, kasi ang magiging basehan po dyan is the utilization rate, di ba?” Adiong added.
He stressed that billions of pesos in appropriations must translate into actual personnel and services for students.
“We would like to know how speedy the hiring and how speedy the implementation of these programs. We’re talking of how many billions of pesos,” Adiong explained.
Whatever funding level is eventually approved for next year, he said the school mental health initiative should continue.
“Definitely what I can tell you right now is that this will be a continuing program,” Adiong stressed.
The 2027 budget deliberations will also allow the House to determine whether schools have enough operating funds to strengthen physical security.
He said schools may hire security agencies as an administrative matter, but their maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) may have to be reviewed to determine whether they are sufficient to meet security needs nationwide.
“Titingnan po natin doon kung if need be, sa kanilang MOOE, kung kinakailangan po talaga nating bigyan pa sila ng sapat na budget para mag-hire po sila ng kanilang mga security agencies, para tugunan ‘yung ganitong klaseng karahasan na hindi na po maulit,” Adiong elaborated.
“The question is whether it is enough to cover all schools all over the country,” he stressed.
Adiong said the Zamboanga shooting underscored the broader challenge confronting the country’s educational system.
“Hindi lang ito problema ng isang eskwelahan. Ito po ay malaking challenge para sa ating society pagdating po sa pagsugpo ng gun violence sa ating educational system,” he concluded.
