SENATE President Sherwin Gatchalian is pushing for stronger cooperation among school communities, local government units (LGUs), and police authorities to strengthen campus security amid a series of bomb threats targeting universities in Metro Manila.

Gatchalian said greater community participation in safeguarding schools is crucial, emphasizing that this is among the key provisions of the proposed Comprehensive School Safety Act, which has been approved by the Senate.

“Sa gitna ng kabi-kabilang banta sa kaligtasan ng ating mga paaralan, mahalagang paigtingin natin ang pakikilahok ng ating mga komunidad sa pagpapatatag ng seguridad ng ating mga paaralan. Makakamit natin ito sa pamamagitan ng Comprehensive School Safety Act na inaprubahan natin sa Senado,” Gatchalian said.

His call came after the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) stepped up bomb threat awareness efforts in Metro Manila schools following reports of bomb threats received by several universities.

Once enacted into law, the Senate-approved measure, which Gatchalian authored and co-sponsored, seeks to strengthen the involvement of community stakeholders, LGUs, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in ensuring safer learning environments.

Under the proposed measure, the Department of Education (DepEd) will work with LGUs and the PNP to establish, maintain, and regularly update a national school safety framework.

The PNP will assist schools in maintaining campus security, while LGUs will support the implementation of school safety programs.

“Importante na masiguro natin ang kaligtasan ng ating mga estudyante para maging maayos ang kanilang pag-aaral at hindi nagagambala,” Gatchalian added.