The Department of Education told senators on July 9 that only 36 percent of public schools have CCTV cameras and just 30 percent have security guards. The findings come from a nationwide audit after the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.
Education Undersecretary Malcolm Garma said about 17,000 of roughly 48,000 public schools have CCTV systems. Most are in urban hotspots. He noted that 13,802 schools have fewer than 10 cameras each.
Garma added that the Tacloban school had eight working cameras but blind spots remained. Monitors were kept in principals' offices, limiting real-time review. Only one in ten schools has metal detectors, and three in ten have security guards.
The Senate hearing addressed a proposed school safety law. Senator Bam Aquino raised concerns over recent incidents and called for better device use and staffing. The DepEd said it updated protocols and plans active-shooter drills.
