Cebu City Government plans to provide handheld metal detectors to security guards assigned to public schools as part of broader efforts to strengthen campus security following concerns about school safety.
Mayor announces funding through Local School Board
Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. announced on Friday, June 26, that the city will request funds through the Local School Board (LSB) to purchase handheld metal detectors for schools across Cebu City.
According to the mayor, this is part of enhanced security measures that will also include the implementation of emergency response protocols starting next week in elementary and national high schools.
Emergency alert buttons and five-minute response
Among the measures is the activation of emergency alert buttons on mobile phones so that school officials can immediately notify authorities in case of an emergency, allowing responders to act within the five-minute response time policy of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Archival said the city is coordinating with the Department of Education (DepEd), school administrators, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), and other stakeholders to review current security protocols and ensure schools are prepared to respond to emergencies.
Discussions on access control and monitoring
Topics include campus access control, visitor monitoring, emergency reporting procedures, and coordination between schools and law enforcement agencies.
The mayor noted that the shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City highlighted the need to strengthen security while also addressing the root causes of violence.
Addressing bullying and idolization
According to Archival, the incident should not be seen merely as an action by those responsible, as factors such as bullying and the idolization or glorification of school shootings may have contributed.
He emphasized that improving school security also requires strong cooperation among teachers, parents, law enforcement agencies, and the community to identify and address signs of danger before they escalate into violence.
Police deployment data
Based on data presented during the city's Oplan Balik-Eskwela briefing, 453 police officers have been deployed to guard 171 schools in Cebu City. This includes 109 assigned to 66 Police Assistance Desks, 176 foot patrol personnel, and 39 mobile patrol units. As of Friday, no major incidents related to the opening of classes were reported.
