(Eastern Samar Provincial Information Office)
TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Samar Gov. Ralph Vincent Evardone has ordered a province-wide assessment of school security amid a sharp rise in reported bullying cases and recent shooting incidents involving students in Zamboanga City and Tacloban City.
Evardone convened an inter-agency meeting with education officials, police and other concerned agencies to assess security risks in schools and identify measures to prevent similar incidents in Eastern Samar.
“We want these figures because we want an approach based on what we have, and ayaw nating manghula,” Evardone said, stressing the need for data-driven planning in strengthening school safety.
He directed the Department of Education (DepEd) provincial and city schools divisions to submit within 30 days a comprehensive directory classifying schools according to their security conditions and level of risk.
The assessment will consider several factors, including student population, reported bullying incidents, accessibility, nearby houses and other structures, perimeter fencing, the availability and functionality of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, and other potential security concerns.
Schools classified as high-risk will be prioritized for additional security interventions.
The meeting also highlighted a significant increase in reported bullying cases in Borongan City. Data presented by the Borongan City Schools Division showed that reported incidents have steadily risen since 2022, with cases more than tripling during the period.
Evardone said one school in Borongan accounted for 120 of the 176 reported bullying incidents, describing the figure as “very alarming.”
He cautioned, however, that the data represent only reported cases, noting that some students may hesitate to report bullying because of fear or other concerns.
To encourage students to speak up, officials agreed to establish an anonymous reporting mechanism that would allow incidents to be reported without requiring students to disclose their identities.
“We need to know what incident happened, when and where, even without the names of those reporting, so we are aware of the situation and can look into it,” Evardone said.
The province is also considering a test of its 911 emergency response system to assess its readiness to respond to school-related emergencies.
The Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office (ESPPO) presented measures aimed at increasing police visibility around schools, including the establishment of Police Assistance Desks, foot patrols during student arrival and dismissal, closer coordination with school officials and intensified anti-bullying campaigns.
Police will also strengthen efforts to prevent unauthorized access to firearms through Oplan Katok, including visits to registered firearm owners to remind them to properly secure their guns and keep them inaccessible to children and other unauthorized persons.
Evardone stressed that firearm safety is not solely a government responsibility, saying private firearm owners also have an obligation to ensure that children cannot gain access to guns.
The governor also committed to allocating funds this year and next year for additional school security measures, including CCTV cameras, metal detectors and perimeter fencing.
The initiatives come as schools across the country face renewed scrutiny over campus safety following recent incidents of violence involving students, underscoring the need for preventive measures, early reporting of threats and stronger coordination among schools, law enforcement agencies and local governments.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
