DepEd tightens school security in Mimaropa
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — The Department of Education (DepEd) office in MIMAROPA has ramped up security protocols and child protection measures in all schools across the region, following the violent incidents involving students elsewhere in the country and the documentation of over 9,000 local campus incidents.
About 9,243 incidents classified as Learner Rights and Protection (LRP) concerns were recorded in the region during the third quarter of this school year.
Eloisa Sadia, DepEd MIMAROPA Project Development Officer II and LRP focal person said bullying topped the list of issues with 3,845 cases (41.6 percent of the reported cases); followed by cases of Children at Risk (CAR) which reached 2,983 (32.3 percent); other concerns stood at 1,489 (16.1 percent); the more critical issues of child abuse cases at 556 (6 percent; and juvenile offenses under Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) which numbered 370 (4 percent).
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Her report says MIMAROPA schools have enforced stricter entry controls, including non-contact bag inspections for students, personnel, and visitors.
Prohibited items such as weapons, explosives, and hazardous chemicals are now being thoroughly screened and confiscated.
Additional measures include vehicle and package checks, increased security deployment, expanded security camera coverage, and a ban on portable electronic devices during class hours to maintain a safe and focused learning environment.
Beyond security checks, DepEd in MIMAROPA has institutionalized child protection measures across the region by creating 1,372 active School Child Protection Committees with 864 members having completed specialized training on learner rights and protection.
The report added that 1,212 schools have been provided with School-Based Child Protection (SBC) materials to strengthen on-the-ground safety and intervention programs.
MIMAROPA, or Region IV-B, is composed of the provinces of Romblon, Palawan, Marinduque, and Occidental and Oriental Mindoro./coa
