SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go vowed to closely scrutinize the Department of Education’s (DepEd) proposed budget to ensure adequate funding for school counselors and mental health personnel, following revelations that fewer than 1,000 registered guidance counselors are serving more than 45,000 public schools nationwide.

Go said Congress must ensure that mental health positions are not only created but also funded, filled, deployed, and sustained.

“Mental health issue is real. Totoo po ito,” Go said.

Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports, said the shortage should be a key priority during national budget deliberations, particularly amid growing concerns over school violence, bullying, and the mental well-being of Filipino learners.

DepEd Undersecretary Willie Cabral disclosed that while about 5,000 registered guidance counselors exist nationwide, fewer than 1,000 are currently employed by the department. These counselors are tasked with serving students across more than 45,000 schools.

Cabral also revealed that although around 5,000 guidance counselor positions were authorized in 2020, only about 1,000 were eventually filled, highlighting the gap between approved positions and actual personnel deployed in schools.

Go said lawmakers must look beyond headline budget allocations and examine how quickly vacancies are being filled, what obstacles are delaying recruitment, and whether appropriations are sufficient to sustain school-based mental health programs.

The senator also pushed for the full implementation of Republic Act No. 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which mandates stronger mental health services through school care centers and the deployment of counselors, counselor associates, and allied personnel.

To help address the shortage, the government authorized 10,000 School Counselor Associate positions for 2026. DepEd reported that 9,641 positions have already been published, with 6,968 under assessment, 2,469 still open for applications, and around 400 awaiting staffing action.

Go welcomed the progress but emphasized that implementation must be closely monitored to ensure students receive actual mental health and psychosocial support.

He likewise urged Congress to determine whether additional positions and resources will be needed in succeeding years, given the continuing shortage of qualified guidance professionals.

Go also renewed his call for the passage of Senate Bill No. 2413, or the Safe Schools and Violence Prevention Bill, which seeks to establish national standards for school safety, including mandatory safety plans, annual risk assessments, strengthened mental health interventions, and standardized emergency response protocols.

“Ang paaralan ay dapat manatiling zone of peace and learning. Walang estudyante na dapat matakot sa paaralan at walang paaralan na maging lugar ng karahasan,” Go said.

The senator said he will continue pressing DepEd and other agencies during budget hearings to ensure that government spending translates into actual personnel, services, and assistance reaching students across the country.