Angara proposes inter-agency task force to boost school security

Education Secretary Sonny Angara has proposed the creation of a Joint School Safety Task Force to strengthen security measures in public schools nationwide, responding to a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in the aftermath of a shooting at a Cotabato school.

The task force would operate in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to implement standardized safety protocols across educational institutions. According to Angara's proposal, the body would conduct detailed, site-specific security audits to identify vulnerabilities and recommend improvements at individual school locations.

The move reflects heightened concerns over campus safety and represents efforts by the administration to address security gaps in the public education system. Officials have emphasized the need for comprehensive assessments that account for the unique circumstances and challenges facing schools in different regions.

The task force is expected to develop and implement security guidelines tailored to individual school environments while coordinating with local government units and law enforcement agencies to ensure consistent enforcement of safety standards across the archipelago.