Villar Renews Push for School Safety Bill After Teen Stabbing

MANILA, Philippines — Following the fatal stabbing of a Grade 9 student in Las Piñas National High School, Sen. Mark Villar once again called for the passage of an act that ensures stronger safeguards on campuses through increased presence of law enforcement. READ: Teen student stabbed dead by schoolmate in Las Pinas The renewed call came after a Grade 9 student was reportedly stabbed to death by his schoolmate inside the Las Piñas National High School. "We need to ensure that our schools are safe havens for our students. The passage of this bill will institutionalize the presence of law enforcement in schools to prevent any untoward incidents from happening," Villar said in a statement. Villar, who chairs the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, previously filed Senate Bill No. 220 or the proposed "Safer Schools Act of 2022." The bill seeks to mandate the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to deploy police officers in all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide. "The safety of our students is paramount. We cannot afford to have another incident like this happen again," Villar stressed. Under the proposed measure, the PNP and DILG would be tasked to establish a "School Safety and Security Division" that would be responsible for implementing safety programs and protocols in schools. It also seeks to provide for the allocation of funds for the procurement of security equipment and the training of personnel who will be deployed in schools. "This is not just about increasing police visibility. It is about creating a comprehensive security plan that will protect our children," Villar added. The senator also urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to work closely with the PNP and DILG to ensure the effective implementation of the proposed law. "We need a multi-stakeholder approach to address this issue. The government, schools, parents, and the community must work together to ensure the safety of our students," he said. Last year, the Senate approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 220, the proposed "Safer Schools Act of 2022." However, the bill has yet to be enacted into law. "We are hoping that with the renewed urgency following this incident, Congress will prioritize the passage of this vital legislation," Villar said.