Pampanga First District Rep. Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. has expressed support for the Nationwide Simultaneous School Safety Drill for Active Attack Incidents scheduled on August 25, 2026.
Cong. Pogi said the Department of Education’s directive is a crucial step toward strengthening preparedness following several incidents of violence in schools across the country.
DepEd issued the memorandum on August 12, directing regional directors, schools division superintendents, and public and private elementary and secondary school heads to conduct the nationwide drill.
Cong. Pogi also cited his House Resolution No. 1150, filed on June 24, which calls for regular simulation exercises in schools, colleges, and universities to prepare students and personnel for active shooter and hostage-taking incidents.
The resolution followed the school shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City that resulted in the deaths of three students.
Cong Pogi emphasized the need to equip school personnel and students with the knowledge and skills to respond to life-threatening emergencies.
During his tenure as Angeles City mayor, the local government, through the Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Command Center, and Angeles City Police Office, conducted active shooter and hostage crisis drills in schools and higher education institutions from 2022 to 2025.
