MANILA — The Senate on Monday approved Senate Bill No. 2426, or the proposed Comprehensive School Safety Act, on third and final reading with 17 affirmative votes and no negative votes.

The measure seeks to establish a national framework aimed at strengthening the protection of learners and school personnel from violence, emergencies, and other safety threats.

Sen. Bam Aquino, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, sponsored Senate Bill No. 2426 in plenary on August 26 under Committee Report No. 89. Sens. Raffy Tulfo, Risa Hontiveros, Mark Villar, Christopher “Bong” Go, and Robinhood Padilla were listed as co-sponsors of the measure.

Under the proposed law, the Department of Education, in coordination with other government agencies and local government units, would lead the establishment and regular updating of a National Comprehensive School Safety Framework covering the prevention of, response to, and recovery from threats and incidents affecting schools.

Schools would be required to develop and annually update their own School Safety Plans based on local conditions and risks.

The measure also provides for a School Safety Handbook containing school policies, emergency procedures and learner support services, as well as a code of conduct identifying prohibited behavior and corresponding disciplinary or restorative interventions.

Other provisions include risk assessments, safety training, emergency procedures and drills, as well as psychosocial and mental health support for learners, families, and school personnel affected by violence or emergencies.

The proposal also covers measures aimed at strengthening campus security and preparedness, including visitor management, security screening, threat assessment, and coordination among schools, law enforcement agencies, and local communities.

The proposed Comprehensive School Safety Act was initially focused on strengthening anti-bullying measures but was expanded to cover other forms of violence, school security, emergency preparedness, and emerging threats affecting learners, according to Aquino.

The bill has gained added attention following a series of violent incidents in schools.

On September 18, three students, including the student identified by authorities as the shooter, died while several others were injured in a shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, including how a minor obtained and brought a firearm inside the school.

The South Cotabato incident followed fatal school shootings in Tacloban City in June and Zamboanga City in August, which had already prompted lawmakers to accelerate deliberations on measures addressing school violence and student safety.

Aquino earlier said the proposed framework should go beyond conventional security measures and involve parents, teachers, students, school officials, law enforcement, and other members of the community in preventing and responding to threats.

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