Starting Monday, June 29, 2026, a total ban on mobile phones will be enforced in all schools in the municipality of Dumanjug. The directive, issued by Mayor Efren Guntrano “Gungun” Gica, seeks to enhance learning and restore face-to-face interaction among students in the classroom.
Under the policy, any mobile device found on campus will be confiscated and returned only after classes end. The mayor emphasized that cellphones have become a major barrier to effective learning, causing distraction among young students.
Mayor's bold move to boost focus
Mayor Gica described the measure as a bold and appropriate decision to bring back students' concentration on their lessons—a move expected to relieve and please teachers. The ban stems from concerns over student safety and mental well-being, particularly after a shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City claimed three student lives.
The mayor stated that security and the mental health of children must take priority over the negative influences of the internet and technology. In a frank statement, he warned that parents who disagree with the policy may transfer their children to schools in other towns, underscoring the seriousness of the regulation.
Balancing safety and communication
While the ban aims to protect students, officials acknowledge that cellphones remain an important tool for communication between parents and children, especially during emergencies. To ensure smooth implementation, teachers or school officials designated to hold phones during class will be responsible for answering urgent calls or texts from parents.
For the benefit of all, the mayor urged students not to bring phones to school at all. Discipline and protection of children, he said, begin with respect for rules established for their own future.
