Malacañang on Monday, June 29, 2026, expressed support for efforts to limit cellphone use in schools to improve student performance but raised questions about the reasonableness of penalties imposed under a local government policy banning mobile phones in public schools.
Palace Questions Confiscation Duration
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the National Government recognizes the intent behind the policy implemented by the Municipality of Dumanjug in Cebu, which imposed a total cellphone ban in public schools beginning June 29. However, Castro questioned the provision that confiscated phones would only be returned at the end of the school year.
“Ang ating nabasa ata ay after the school year. Hindi ko alam kung tama po yung penalty na ibibigay kung makatwiran ba siya o reasonable,” Castro said in a Palace briefing. (Based on what we have read, the confiscated phones will only be returned after the school year. I do not know whether that penalty is appropriate, justified, or reasonable.)
National Ban Awaits DepEd Input
When asked about a potential nationwide ban on cellphone use in schools, Castro said the Palace will wait for the position of the Department of Education (DepEd) before making any decision. She noted that many schools, particularly private institutions, already impose restrictions during class hours.
“May mga schools na po, especially private schools, talagang ban na ang cellphones during classes. Naibabalik naman ito after ng klase so pwede naman nilang gamitin, especially during emergency cases,” she said. (There are schools, especially private ones, that prohibit cellphone use during classes. The phones are returned after class so students can still use them, especially in emergency situations.)
School Safety Context
The Palace’s remarks come amid renewed discussions on school safety and student behavior following a deadly shooting incident involving students in Tacloban City and other reported cases of school violence in various parts of the country.
The Municipality of Dumanjug recently announced a total cellphone ban in public schools, with Mayor Guntrano “Gungun” Gica saying the policy aims to improve academic performance and encourage students to focus on reading, studying and face-to-face interaction. The policy took effect on June 29, 2026.
