𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋𝐒, 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐔𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐂𝐄𝐁𝐔𝐀𝐍𝐎 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒
Keeping Cebuano children safe in school takes more than responding when an incident happens. It means 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆, 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀, 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿.
Gov. Pamela Baricuatro led the ceremonial turnover of 600 brand-new metal detectors to the Department of Education-Cebu on September 29 at the Capitol Social Hall. The units will be distributed to public high schools across Cebu Province as part of the Provincial Government’s continuing efforts to strengthen school security.
The turnover formed part of the Unified Action Against School Violence, which gathered around 200 representatives from government agencies, the education sector, school administrators, parents and community stakeholders.
For Gov. Pam, however, the responsibility goes beyond her role as Governor.
“As governor, it is my responsibility to prepare Cebu for risks before they become emergencies. But as a mother, it is much simpler. I want our children to be safe,” she said.
“𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗮𝘆—𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.”
The initiative forms part of the Cebu Safe Schools Program, established through Executive Order No. 35 issued on June 25, 2026, which focuses on preventing school violence and bullying, strengthening emergency preparedness, and providing mental health and psychosocial support for learners.
During the gathering, Cebu Police Provincial Office Director Police Colonel Abubakar Mangelen Jr. reported that all 22 school-related incidents and online threats received by police had been resolved through the School Defense System. Eleven involved minors who were referred to their respective social welfare and development offices, while two cases have been filed in court.
The CPPO also distributed wristbands bearing the 911 emergency hotline to students, reinforcing the message that assistance is available when they need it.
DepEd Cebu Province Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Senen Paulin welcomed the Province’s support, while student leader Kai Ulani Paubsanon of Buanoy National High School emphasized the importance of ensuring that schools remain safe spaces for learners.
A Pledge of Commitment was also signed, bringing together DepEd, CPPO, PDRRMO, AFP, PDEA, BJMP, Philippine Coast Guard, BFP and DILG in a shared commitment to school safety.
The metal detectors are one part of a broader effort. The goal is a school environment where prevention is strengthened, agencies work together, communities remain vigilant, and every Cebuano learner can focus on what school should truly be about—learning, growing and building their future. 💜
