The House of Representatives is set to study whether the Department of Education needs additional funding in the 2027 budget to strengthen security and safety in schools following a shooting incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University.
House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said lawmakers are prepared to work with DepEd to help prevent violence, including shootings, in schools.
Adiong said the House would examine how resources could be increased and consider measures to protect students, teachers and school personnel.
Congress will determine whether current funding is sufficient for physical security measures, including the deployment of security guards, X-ray screening at school portals or gates, and other security measures, according to Adiong.
During DepEd’s budget briefing, lawmakers are also expected to ask whether each schools division has enough funding to install metal detectors to prevent weapons from being brought into school premises.
Adiong also said security agencies should investigate incidents of violence so the findings can serve as a guide for developing responsive policies to improve security for students and teachers.
The review comes as Congress considers the proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program.
Under the 2027 NEP, DepEd has the largest proposed allocation among government agencies, with 976 billion pesos, equivalent to 13.55% of the government’s spending plan.
The House’s review will focus on whether the education department has sufficient resources to address physical security concerns and protect students, teachers and other school personnel.
The proposal comes amid renewed attention to school security following the shooting incident in Zamboanga.
