SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go has called for stronger school safety measures, increased police visibility, and expanded mental health services for students following the deadly shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City that claimed the lives of three students.

Go said the tragedy should not be viewed solely as a peace and order concern but also as an issue of youth welfare, public health, and education.

“What makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking is that the alleged perpetrators are themselves minors,” the senator said, stressing the need for authorities to prevent similar incidents from occurring.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth and vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go said the incident should prompt a comprehensive review of school safety protocols and mental health programs.

He emphasized the need to pay closer attention to the mental well-being of young people, saying problems at home, in school, or within the community should be addressed before they escalate into violence.

Go also cited recent violent incidents involving students, including knife attacks in General Trias and Cavite City and a fatal shooting near Kolehiyo ng Pantukan in Davao de Oro, saying these underscore the urgent need to strengthen school safety and youth protection measures.

The senator likewise called for a review of the implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, as amended by Republic Act No. 10630, which governs cases involving children at risk and children in conflict with the law.

To improve campus security, Go urged authorities to determine how firearms are being accessed and brought near schools. He also recommended deploying more police officers around campuses, particularly during class arrival and dismissal, as well as major school activities.

He stressed that security measures should be implemented without compromising academic freedom, ensuring that schools remain safe spaces for learning.

Go also underscored the importance of strengthening mental health services in schools, citing the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which institutionalizes mental health and well-being programs in basic education institutions, including the hiring of school counselors and school counselor associates.

However, he noted that the country continues to face a severe shortage of mental health professionals, with only 4,069 licensed guidance counselors nationwide as of 2022—far below the estimated 47,000 needed to meet the ideal counselor-to-student ratio.

The senator added that the Philippines also has only about 50 child psychiatrists.