SENATE President Sherwin Gatchalian has called for stronger school security measures following a series of violent incidents involving learners, as the country observes National School Safety Week.

Gatchalian emphasized that schools must remain safe spaces where students can learn without fear of violence. He also urged the enactment of measures to strengthen learner protection and welfare.

He cited Senate Bill No. 2426, or the proposed Comprehensive School Safety Act, which seeks to strengthen security measures in public schools.

Once enacted, the measure would require the establishment of a National School Safety Framework that would set minimum standards for preventing, responding to, and recovering from threats and incidents affecting school safety.

Gatchalian also highlighted Senate Bill No. 2424, or the proposed Safe Media Access and Responsible Technology for Kids in Digital Spaces Act, also known as the SMART KIDS Act.

The measure seeks to protect children’s safety and well-being in the digital environment by prohibiting individuals below 18 years old from using social media platforms and certain other high-risk digital services.

Both measures have been approved by the Senate on third and final reading.

Gatchalian expressed hope that the two bills would soon be enacted into law, saying they would provide stronger protection for Filipino learners both within school premises and in their use of digital platforms.