PASAY CITY—Following growing concerns over student welfare and campus security, the Senate has officially passed Senate Bill No. 2426, or the School Safety Act. Authored by Senator Bam Aquino, the measure seeks to establish a comprehensive framework protecting students, teachers, and school personnel from bullying, violence, harassment, and other safety threats.  

The proposed law centers around a three-pillar framework: prevention, response, and recovery. Under this framework, every learning institution will be required to establish a localized School Safety Plan tailored to the unique risks and needs of its community. 

The bill aims to ensure proactive risk prevention, rapid incident response, and strong recovery support including mental health and counseling services for affected individuals.  

“Karapatan ng bawat estudyante na matuto sa isang ligtas na paaralan. Hindi dapat sila pumapasok nang may takot na makaranas ng bullying, harassment, karahasan, o anumang pang-aabusong maaaring makaapekto sa kanilang kaligtasan at mental health.” Senator Aquino said on a social media post. 

To ensure seamless implementation, the Department of Education (DepEd) will lead a multi-agency collaboration involving local government units, law enforcement, schools, and local communities. 

Beyond protecting students, the legislation also prioritizes the safety and well-being of teachers and campus staff, equipping them with the necessary institutional backing and support to fulfill their duties securely.  

With the measure now cleared by the Senate, Senator Aquino has called on the House of Representatives to swiftly act on and pass their counterpart version of the bill. 

Urging lawmakers not to wait for another tragedy before taking action, Aquino stressed the urgency of enacting the legislation into law to guarantee safe learning environments across the country.

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