SENATOR Mark Villar has filed a measure seeking to strengthen school security, prevent threats, and improve emergency response in basic education institutions amid concerns over incidents of violence in schools.

Senate Bill No. 2321, or the proposed *Learning Institution’s Guaranteed Threat Avoidance and Safety Act (LIGTAS Act)*, seeks to establish physical security safeguards and standardized emergency response protocols in schools during natural and man-made disasters.

Under the proposal, police visibility within and around school premises would be strengthened to support security inspections, threat assessments, and other safety operations.

Schools would also be required to establish protocols for immediately notifying parents or legal guardians during emergencies involving students and ensure the availability of essential safety equipment.

The measure likewise seeks to mandate the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and metal detectors, as well as comprehensive security and safety training for school personnel, students, and security guards.

In addition, cities and municipalities would be required to establish school safety councils composed of local chief executives, schools division superintendents, police and fire officials, and school principals.

These councils would be tasked with developing localized safety policies, monitoring compliance, and recommending disciplinary actions when necessary.

In the bill’s explanatory note, Villar cited shooting and stabbing incidents in school settings as reasons for strengthening protective measures for students, teachers, and other school personnel.

The proposed legislation aims to restore public confidence in schools as safe spaces for learning and provide parents with greater assurance that their children are protected while inside school premises.