7 counselors for 70 schools: Mental health gap exposed in Cebu City

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Only seven registered guidance counselors serve around 107 public elementary and high schools in Cebu City — a shortage that surfaced after the June 22 school shooting in Tacloban City.

Councilor Paul Labra, chairman of the Cebu City Council’s Committee on Public Order and Safety, said the shortage emerged during consultations among city officials, educators, police, and mental health experts reviewing school safety after the June 22 tragedy that killed three students and injured 20 others.

“As of now, what we know is that there are fewer than 10 employed DepEd guidance counselors. The exact number is only seven,” Labra said in an interview on Wednesday, July 1.

He said several teachers currently double as guidance counselors to fill the gap, but admitted they cannot provide the same level of intervention as licensed professionals.

“Some teachers also act as guidance counselors in their schools, but the programs are not as extensive as those handled by designated guidance counselors. We are really lacking,” he said.

READ: No phone ban yet: Cebu City eyes metal detectors, student mental health

Mental health gap

Labra said consultations with stakeholders showed that many behavioral problems among students often begin long before they enter school, but remain unaddressed because campuses lack qualified mental health professionals.

“We found out that aside from strengthening school security infrastructure, the problem also lies with children experiencing mental health concerns. Some students already carry struggles from home, but because we lack guidance counselors, these concerns go unaddressed, and schools cannot fully implement intervention programs,” he said.

He stressed that preventing school violence requires more than installing metal detectors or increasing police visibility.

Instead, schools need professionals who can identify students at risk, provide counseling, and intervene before problems escalate into violence.

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Low salary, high qualifications

Labra attributed the shortage largely to the government’s hiring requirements and compensation package.

He said applicants for guidance counselor positions must meet stringent qualifications, yet receive only Salary Grade 11, making public schools less competitive than private institutions.

“It is very concerning and shocking. The qualifications are very high, but the salary is only Salary Grade 11. That’s why many professionals choose to work in private institutions instead,” he said.

He said the city government plans to ask the Department of Education (DepEd) to help fill vacant positions while simultaneously urging the national government to increase compensation for guidance counselors.

“The employment of more guidance counselors is something we will pursue with DepEd. We will also push for higher salary grades because these plantilla positions belong to DepEd. The city will support that initiative, especially now that we clearly see the gap,” Labra said.

Mental health experts tapped

Labra said Mayor Nestor Archival has already convened psychologists, guidance counselors, psychiatrists, and other mental health practitioners to help craft intervention strategies for Cebu City schools.

The meeting aims to develop protocols and terms of reference that schools can immediately adopt while the city explores longer-term solutions.

“The mayor called together guidance counselors, psychologists, and other experts so we can understand the need and determine how to address this problem in our schools. We want to come up with protocols and clear guidelines that schools and the city government can follow,” he said.

A follow-up meeting with stakeholders was scheduled today to continue discussions.

Campus security

Labra said the shortage of guidance counselors reinforces the city’s decision not to rely solely on stricter security measures following the Tacloban shooting.

Earlier, Archival ordered the installation of additional metal detectors in schools, stronger police visibility, campus security assessments, and improved emergency response protocols.

READ: New counselor posts boost school mental health services – Angara

However, city officials agreed that addressing bullying, family problems, behavioral issues, and students’ mental health remains equally important in preventing violence inside schools.

The city government continues to work with DepEd, the Cebu City Police Office, mental health professionals, and school administrators to develop a comprehensive school safety program that combines physical security with preventive mental health interventions.

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