THE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have formalized an agreement allowing barangay tanods to be deployed in schools to help strengthen campus security.

The two agencies signed a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) that will enable local government units (LGUs) to augment school security while DepEd continues to hire professional security personnel.

According to DepEd, the agreement seeks to address campus safety concerns by tapping barangay resources to help protect learners, teachers, and other school personnel.

“These past few months have been challenging for us, especially for our teachers and learners. Pero responsibilidad nating ipadama sa kanila na ang ating mga paaralan ay mananatiling ligtas na kanlungan. We see this partnership as a decisive step toward safer schools,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.

“Alam natin na ang presensya ng mga security personnel sa isang lugar ay nagbibigay ng dagdag na kapanatagan at seguridad. At malaking tulong ito, lalo’t alam nating kulang ang ating mga paaralan sa mga security guard, kaya malaking bagay ang suporta ng ating mga lokal na pamahalaan at barangay,” Angara added.

Under the agreement, schools may coordinate with their respective barangays to request the deployment of tanods to help maintain peace and order within school premises and surrounding areas.

DepEd clarified that barangay tanods will serve as supplementary security partners and will not replace school authorities or law enforcement personnel.

Orientations will also be conducted to ensure that deployed tanods understand and observe child protection policies, learners’ rights, and established school safety protocols.

Meanwhile, Angara and DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla also oversaw a school safety drill at Bangkal High School in Makati City to strengthen emergency preparedness among learners and school personnel.

The exercise allowed participants to practice evacuation procedures, lockdown protocols, and emergency communication measures to ensure a coordinated response during emergencies.

Through the partnership, DepEd and DILG aim to strengthen cooperation among schools, barangays, and local governments to provide a safer learning environment for students and teachers.