SENATOR  Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson is pushing for a measure that will strengthen and protect the land ownership of Department of Education school sites.

Senate Bill 1247 mandates the summary titling of unregistered real properties used as public school sites.

In filing the bill, Lacson stressed that education is essential in nation building thus a policy is needed to ensure that the school environment is safe, motivating, child-friendly, and conducive to learning.

“For this reason, schools of Department of Education are not only declared as zones of peace during armed conflict, but are zones of peace and neutrality at all times,” Lacson said.

Lacson said the public school system is often subjected to property disputes, violence, irritation, and physical if not verbal and psychological warfare between the school administrators, teach-ers, and those who claim ownership over school sites.

The senator in his bill said current data from the DepEd shows that majority of public school sites are untitled or unregistered.

“Some school sites were donated for use as school sites but are now owned/titled in the name of LGUs. Some are subject to long-term lease agreement with private individuals,” Lacson added.

The summary titling in the bill will cover all sites of public schools under DepEd which have been utilized as such for at least five years.