Daraga Mayor Orders Tighter School Security, More Police Presence Near Legazpi City
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay — Daraga Mayor Victor Perete has issued an executive order directing all schools in the municipality to strengthen security measures and has called on local police to increase their visibility around educational institutions. The move comes in response to recent violent incidents in schools elsewhere in the country, raising concerns about the safety of students and teachers across the Philippines.
In Executive Order No. 47, signed on June 22, 2026, Mayor Perete emphasized that the directive aims to ensure the safety and security of students, teachers, school personnel, and all members of the academic community in Daraga, a municipality adjacent to Legazpi City in Albay province.
The order cited recent disturbing incidents in educational institutions outside the municipality, which underscored the need for heightened vigilance and preventive measures to protect learners and school workers from potential threats. The directive reflects a growing nationwide concern among local government units about campus safety.
Key Security Measures Ordered
Under the executive order, school heads in Daraga have been urged to reinforce existing security protocols and strengthen inspection and monitoring measures. The goal is to prevent firearms, bladed weapons, explosive devices, and other prohibited items from entering school premises.
The directive also authorizes schools, in accordance with Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) policies, to conduct reasonable and non-intrusive inspections of bags and personal belongings when circumstances warrant such action.
School administrators have been instructed to take several specific steps:
- Strictly monitor all entry and exit points on campus
- Require all visitors to register and state the purpose of their visit
- Immediately report any suspicious activities and threats to authorities
- Coordinate closely with parents, barangay officials, and law enforcement agencies
Police Deployment and Community Involvement
Mayor Perete also directed the Daraga Municipal Police Station to intensify police visibility and deploy uniformed personnel, whenever operationally feasible, in areas immediately outside school campuses during regular and special school schedules.
The police station was further ordered to coordinate closely with school authorities and submit monthly reports to the Office of the Mayor. These reports must detail security measures undertaken, incidents monitored, and recommendations for further improving school safety.
The executive order also directed barangay officials to assist in maintaining peace and order in areas surrounding schools. They are expected to work hand-in-hand with school administrators and law enforcement agencies to create a secure environment for learning.
Broader Context
The directive from Daraga’s mayor reflects a broader trend among Philippine local government units taking proactive steps to address school safety. With the school year in full swing, LGUs across the Bicol Region and the rest of the country are reviewing their security protocols to ensure that educational institutions remain safe spaces for Filipino youth.
Residents of Daraga and nearby Legazpi City have largely welcomed the move, with many parents expressing relief over the increased attention to their children’s safety while at school.
— With reports from Inquirer.net