South Cotabato LGUs suspend classes to review school security

KORONADAL CITY — Several local government units (LGUs) in South Cotabato have suspended face-to-face classes on Monday, Sept. 21, as schools review safety and security measures following the shooting at Banga National High School (BNHS) last Friday.

The local governments of Banga, Lake Sebu, Tantangan, Norala, Sto. Niño and Surallah, as well as Koronadal City, announced the suspensions through advisories and announcements posted on their official social media accounts.

In Banga, Mayor Albert Palencia suspended classes at all levels in public and private schools on Monday to ensure the safety and security of students and school personnel.

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Lake Sebu Mayor Antonio Fungan Jr. also suspended classes at all levels in public and private schools for the day. The suspension will give school personnel time to hold meetings and discuss measures concerning the safety and welfare of learners and the school community.

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In Koronadal City, Mayor Erlinda Araquil ordered the suspension of face-to-face classes at all levels in public and private schools on Monday to allow safety and security assessments in schools.

Norala Mayor Clemente Fedoc similarly suspended face-to-face classes at all levels in public and private schools on Monday to make way for an emergency meeting between the local government and the Department of Education.

The meeting will focus on measures to strengthen the safety and protection of students and school personnel following the shooting in neighboring Banga, he said.

READ: Campus shooter ‘planned  attack, warned classmates’

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In Tantangan, Mayor Timee Joy Torres-Gonzales issued Executive Order No. 31, suspending face-to-face classes in all public and private schools on Sept. 21 and 22.

The two-day suspension is intended to give the local government and concerned agencies time to assess the situation and take necessary safety measures. Teachers, parents, guardians, and students were also encouraged to continue lessons at home.

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Meanwhile, Sto. Niño Mayor Sulpicio Villalobos suspended face-to-face classes in public and private elementary, junior high, and senior high schools starting Monday until further notice.

Colleges and Child Development Centers under the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office are not covered by the suspension. Schools were advised to shift to appropriate alternative learning arrangements in accordance with DepEd guidelines.

Surallah Mayor Pedro Matinong Jr., through Memorandum No. M-164, also suspended face-to-face classes in all public and private schools from elementary to senior high school beginning Monday until further notice.

Schools in Surallah were directed to shift to appropriate alternative learning modes while the suspension remains in effect.

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The separate announcements came as local governments and school officials reassessed campus safety following the Sept. 18 shooting at BNHS. /mcm