The Senate has approved on third and final reading the Comprehensive School Safety Act (Senate Bill No. 2426), a measure aimed at strengthening safeguards for learners and school personnel amid recent incidents of violence in schools. ([Win Gatchalian][1])

Senate President Win Gatchalian said the measure marks an important step toward making schools safer, emphasizing that children should be able to pursue their education without fear of violence.

“Hindi karahasan ang dapat maging kapalit ng ating hangaring makapag-aral ang bawat bata,” Gatchalian said, stressing that schools should remain safe and peaceful places dedicated to learning and shaping the future of young Filipinos.

Under the approved measure, the Department of Education (DepEd), in coordination with government agencies, local government units and other stakeholders, will establish a National School Safety Framework that will set minimum standards for preventing, responding to and recovering from threats and incidents affecting school safety.

Schools will also be required to develop localized School Safety Plans, which will be updated every three years to operationalize the national framework.

The measure also includes provisions addressing the use of mobile devices and portable electronic gadgets during instructional hours, reflecting an earlier proposal by Gatchalian.

The Senate’s approval came after a series of violent incidents in schools, including the recent shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato that left three students dead.

The bill now moves forward in the legislative process as lawmakers seek stronger, more systematic measures to protect learners and keep schools safe.