Angara visits Negros school communities to discuss campus safety

MANILA, Philippines— Education Secretary Sonny Angara inspected public schools on Thursday in the Negros Island Region (NIR) to evaluate campus safety protocols, assess facility conditions, and engage directly with students and teachers, according to a Department of Education (DepEd) statement.

Among the stops Angara made were at Bais City National High School, the largest secondary school in the city, and Basay Central School, one of the oldest public elementary schools in Bayawan City.

He made the Negros visit following recent campus security incidents, including the tragic shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School campus on Aug. 18.

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Angara held dialogues with school administrators, teachers, and student representatives to hear firsthand their security concerns and psychosocial support needs.

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READ: Angara joins Zamboanga briefing after Ateneo shooting incident

Physical campus security, he stressed, must go hand-in-hand with mental health support to ensure a safe learning environment.

“Nabalitaan naman natin ang mga nangyari kamakailan at mas nakikita natin kung gaano kahalaga na sabay nating pangalagaan ang physical safety at overall well-being ng ating mga learners,” Angara said.

(“We have all heard reports of recent events, and we saw more clearly how valuable that simultaneously take care of the physical safety and overall well-being of our learners.”)

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“Hindi lamang bagong opisina o classroom ang kailangan natin, kundi isang school environment kung saan ligtas, protektado, at komportable ang bawat bata na matuto,” he added.

(“What we need are not just new offices or classroom but also a school environment where every child learning is safe, protected, and comfortable.”)

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To address structural security gaps highlighted by the nationwide school security audit, DepEd is proposing for fiscal year 2027 a budget to cover additional security personnel, security infrastructure, and the deployment of school counselor associates.

“Hindi lang physical security ang kailangan nating palakasin. Prevention and recovery also mean making sure that learners have trusted adults and proper support when they need help,” Angara said.

(“It’s not only physical security that we have to strengthen. Prevention and recovery also mean making sure that learners have trusted adults and proper support when they need help.”)

READ: Angara urges holistic tack to school safety after Zambo shooting

On Aug. 19, Angara visited Ateneo de Zamboanga University to check on the school community and reaffirmed the department’s continued support for the institution, extending Psychological First Aid (PFA) and psychosocial support in coordination with the school and mental health partners.

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DepEd reiterated its call to the public, media, and content creators to exercise restraint and avoid circulating unverified details or sensitive media surrounding the campus violence incident. /atm