MANILA — The Senate approved a bill establishing a nationwide framework to strengthen the safety of public and private schools against physical threats, violence and emergencies.

Senate Bill No. 2426, or the Comprehensive School Safety Act, was approved under Committee Report No. 89 with 17 affirmative votes, no negative votes and no abstentions.

Senator Bam Aquino, the bill’s sponsor, said schools should remain safe environments for students to learn and develop.

“Schools should be a safe space where our children learn, develop their character, and build their dreams. It should not be a place of fear, harm, or violence. We cannot accept that this has become a normal part of school life,” Aquino said.

Aquino cited the need for the measure following the third school shooting in three months, which occurred Friday in South Cotabato and left three students dead and several others injured.

The bill seeks to consolidate existing child protection, mental health and disaster policies into a single operational framework for public and private educational institutions.

It also establishes a National Comprehensive School Safety Framework that would provide standardized crisis protocols, campus safety infrastructure and screening procedures, as well as a whole-of-community approach to protecting students and teachers.

Under the proposed framework, every school would be required to formulate a localized School Safety Plan covering three core areas: prevention through risk assessments and training; clear emergency response procedures; and multidisciplinary recovery, including psychosocial support.

The measure also calls for enhanced physical security standards, including metal detectors, mandatory bag checks at school entry points and CCTV coverage in common areas. It would likewise prohibit gadget use during instructional hours.

“In times of crisis, every second counts. When there is a threat, our schools should not be left guessing whether to lock down or evacuate, or whom to call for immediate help. We are connecting existing measures into one clear, comprehensive system,” Aquino said.

The bill further provides institutional support for teachers and other frontline educators through teaching load reductions, legal assistance and mandatory safety capacity-building programs.

It also requires regular orientation seminars for parents and guardians.