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PMA urges DepEd to test school safety drills before September rollout
The Philippine Medical Association has called on the Department of Education to conduct a pilot program of its active attack safety drills before implementing them nationwide in September.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Philippine Medical Association on Thursday urged the Department of Education to first conduct a limited trial of its proposed school safety drill for active attack incidents before proceeding with a nationwide rollout scheduled for September.
In a letter to Education Secretary Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, the medical group raised concerns about the readiness and potential risks associated with the immediate implementation of such drills across all schools without prior testing.
The PMA's position reflects broader concerns from health and safety professionals about ensuring that schools and medical personnel are adequately prepared before conducting drills that simulate active threat scenarios. The association emphasized the importance of establishing proper protocols and training mechanisms to prevent unintended injuries or psychological harm during such exercises.
The Department of Education has yet to respond publicly to the PMA's request for a phased implementation approach. The proposed safety drills are intended to help students and staff respond effectively to active shooter or armed attack situations, a measure aimed at enhancing school security protocols nationwide.