DILG: LGUs to establish Safer School Zones

MANILA, Philippines—Following the recent student-related violence in schools, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) instructed all local government units (LGUs) to establish nationwide Safer School Zones (SSZs).

It also ordered the mobilization of 277,744 village watchmen to help protect students from crime, violence, traffic risks, and other hazards near schools.

“Schools must remain places of learning, not places of fear,” the DILG said in a statement on Wednesday. “Through Safer School Zones, local governments, barangays, schools, law enforcement agencies, parents, and communities will work together to better protect every learner.”

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READ: School shooting kills 3 students in Tacloban

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Issued under Memorandum Circular No. 2026-037, the policy formally establishes Safer School Zones under the government’s Safer Cities and Safer Communities Initiative. It directs governors, city and municipal mayors, punong barangays, the PNP, and other stakeholders to reinforce security around both public and private schools.

LGUs have been directed to identify and address safety risks around schools, including dangerous roads, poor pedestrian facilities, speeding vehicles, and fire or disaster hazards.

They are also encouraged to strengthen local ordinances on traffic management, pedestrian safety, crime prevention, and public order.

Village watchmen will support the initiative by patrolling, assisting with traffic, responding to incidents, and coordinating with authorities. The directive limits tanod operations to areas outside school premises, unless authorized by school officials or during emergencies.

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The DILG emphasized that barangay tanods will remain unarmed civilian support personnel who must immediately refer incidents requiring police, fire, medical, social welfare, or other specialized responses to the appropriate authorities.

Earlier, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the Department of Education (DepEd) will launch safety drills to prepare students for violent incidents on school campuses.

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READ: DepEd sets ‘active shooter drills’ after deadly Tacloban incident

Angara said DepEd will seek assistance from the PNP amid bomb threats targeting schools.

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He noted that while some schools immediately suspend classes, others request help from PNP Special Weapons and Tactics units to respond to the threats. /mcm