Stronger Active-Threat Preparedness, Anti-Loose Firearms Drives in Schools Boosted by Bacolod SP

The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City has approved a resolution authored by Councilor Atty. Caesar Z. Distrito, DPA, calling for stronger active-threat and emergency preparedness in schools and an intensified campaign against loose and unregistered firearms, particularly within and around school zones throughout the city.

The resolution urges the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), Department of Education – Schools Division of Bacolod City, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), and all public and private educational institutions in Bacolod City to strengthen coordination and preparedness measures designed to protect students, teachers, school personnel and visitors during armed attacks and other serious security emergencies.

Distrito said the measure was prompted by the need to draw lessons from the tragic shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School campus on August 18, 2026 and to ensure that educational institutions in Bacolod are better prepared to respond to similar emergencies.

“Schools must remain safe spaces for our children. While we hope that incidents of this nature will never happen in Bacolod, preparedness requires us to anticipate possible threats and make sure that our schools, police, disaster responders, teachers and personnel know exactly what to do when every second counts,” Distrito said.

The resolution encourages educational institutions, in coordination with concerned government agencies, to strengthen emergency response protocols for active-threat situations, including clear procedures for lockdown, evacuation, emergency communication, coordination with law enforcement and first responders, and the conduct of appropriate preparedness activities and drills.

At the same time, the measure calls for an intensified campaign against loose and unregistered firearms, with particular attention to areas within and surrounding schools.

Distrito stressed that school security cannot be addressed solely within the gates of educational institutions, as threats involving illegally possessed or unregistered firearms may also originate from the surrounding community.

“Preparedness is one part of prevention. We must also address the proliferation of loose and unregistered firearms. Keeping these weapons away from our communities, especially from areas surrounding our schools, is an important part of protecting our students and the general public,” Distrito added.*