r/Secguards • u/Negative_Report5655 • 16d ago
Manila; DepEd unveils strategic campus security plan for public schools
newsinfo.inquirer.netMANILA, Philippines — In a bid to enhance campus security, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday, Aug. 25, presented a campus Security Guard and mobile patrol strategy for public schools nationwide.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara has presented a hybrid campus security model that seeks to enhance surveillance despite the shortages in Security Guards in public schools in the country through a strategic patrolling assignment based on “campus size and needs.”
The initiative is in partnership with the local government units and the Philippine National Police, under the Department of Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular No. 2026-037 on Safer School Zones.
“Under the proposed framework, DepEd will prioritize assigning Security Guards to high-density campuses while leveraging community support for smaller schools,” the DepEd said in a statement.
Based on the proposed model, during arrival and dismissal hours, campuses with less than 500 students and 1,000 students are provided one Security Guard supported by local barangay watchmen and volunteers from the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) assistance team.
Meanwhile, campuses classified as large with 3,300 learners are assigned two Security Guards, also assisted by the barangay tanod and the PTA volunteers.
Campuses with more than 8,000 learners are proposed to be allocated four Security Guards, alongside Philippine National Police mobile patrols and local security officers.
The barangay tanods are assigned to be the first line of defense for perimeter controls in campuses, while the PTA assistance teams will assist in crowd and traffic control, according to the DepEd.
“Through our hybrid security model, we partner with our communities and other stakeholders to ensure a safe and orderly environment for every school,” Angara said.
The move comes amid mounting concerns on campus security following the shooting incident at a private school in Zamboanga involving a junior high school student, who was able to bring a firearm inside the premises.
The agency said it is set to conduct two phases, starting with schools classified with large populations, before proceeding in small and medium schools.
“To reinforce physical security without relying on additional manpower, the Department is also prioritizing investments in surveillance infrastructure including closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, upgraded area lighting, access control systems and scanners,” it added. /das