Senator Bong Go raised concern over the reported shortage of security guards in public schools nationwide, after the Department of Education said only around 200 security guards are currently assigned to cover approximately 48,000 public schools across the country.
Go said the figures point to a serious gap in school safety that must be addressed through proper funding, coordination, and practical security measures.
“Hindi katanggap-tanggap na 200 security guards lang ang nakabantay sa 48,000 public schools. Simpleng arithmetic lang ito. Paano natin mababantayan ang seguridad ng mga bata, guro, at school personnel kung ganito kalaki ang kakulangan?” the veteran legislator stressed.
The concern comes after DepEd said it would seek funding from the Department of Budget and Management to allow the hiring of additional security guards for public schools. Based on the report, DepEd acknowledged that the shortage followed a previous rationalization process that removed security guard positions, leaving only 200 retained personnel.
DepEd also noted that many schools may require more than one security guard, depending on campus size, student population, location, and security needs.
For the seasoned lawmaker, school security should be treated as a basic requirement, especially as public schools serve millions of learners daily.
“Hindi puwedeng maging afterthought ang kaligtasan sa paaralan.”
“Dapat prayoridad ang seguridad ng ating learners. Hindi puwedeng maging afterthought ang kaligtasan sa paaralan. Kailangang pag-aralan ang pondo, manpower, at mga hakbang na pwedeng gawin para masigurong ligtas ang mga bata habang nag-aaral,” the senator said.
He also emphasized that improving school safety must include protecting and supporting teachers and non-teaching personnel, who are among the first to respond when incidents happen inside campuses.
As part of his support for the education sector, Go is one of the authors and co-sponsors of Republic Act No. 11997, or the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, which increases teaching supply allowances for public school teachers.
He also filed Senate Bill No. 410, or the Monthly Allowance for Teachers and Non-Teaching Personnel bill, which seeks to grant a monthly stipend for public educators and staff.
DepEd has called for a nationwide School Safety Campaign following recent incidents of campus violence. The campaign covers tighter screening, safety audits, and psychosocial support mechanisms.
The reported shortage also comes after a recent campus shooting in Tacloban City, which prompted renewed attention on school security measures. In response, several local government units, parent-teacher associations, private partners, and individual benefactors have provided assistance to schools, including metal detectors and closed-circuit television systems.
Go said authorities may study whether uniformed services can help augment school security, subject to existing laws, agency mandates, proper coordination, and available resources.
“Pag-aralan din natin kung pwedeng mag-augment ang ating uniformed services.”
“Pag-aralan din natin kung pwedeng mag-augment ang ating uniformed services, lalo na sa mga paaralang mas mataas ang security risk. Kailangan itong gawin nang maayos, may malinaw na guidelines, at coordinated sa DepEd, LGUs, at mga concerned agencies,” he stressed.
Go said the Tacloban shooting should push concerned agencies to strengthen both preventive security and psychosocial support systems in schools.
“Hindi lang ito usapin ng guards o equipment. Kailangan din ang guidance, counseling, mental health support, at maagang pag-alalay sa mga batang may pinagdadaanan. Kapag may nakikitang problema, dapat maagapan,” he said.
Go stressed that improving school safety requires coordination among DepEd, local governments, social welfare offices, law enforcement agencies, school officials, parents, and communities.
“Ang importante dito, huwag nating hintayin na may mangyari pa bago tayo kumilos. Dapat ligtas ang paaralan, dapat protektado ang mga bata, at dapat may sapat na tao at sistema para bantayan sila,” he concluded.
