CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — Governor Daniel R. Fernando has ordered the strengthening of security measures in schools across Bulacan in response to recent security challenges confronting educational institutions nationwide.
Fernando, who chairs the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), directed the implementation of enhanced school safety protocols during the joint quarterly meeting of the PPOC, Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC), and Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) on Friday, (Sept. 18) at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center here.
Underscoring the critical need for strict security and tight coordination between schools and law enforcement, Fernando made it clear that the province will not wait for tragedy to strike before taking action.
“Inaatasan natin ang ating kapulisan na patuloy na paigtingin ang police visibility at makipag-ugnayan sa [Department of Education] DepEd upang matiyak ang pagpapalaganap ng seguridad sa ating mga paaralan, kung saan ay dapat na maging pangalawang tahanan para sa ating mga mag-aaral, tahanan na kung saan sila ay panatag at ligtas na matuto, isang lugar na walang bullying, abuse at trauma,” Fernando said.
To turn this directive into concrete action, the council unanimously passed two major resolutions: the first resolution urges all local government units in the province to support the DepEd in strengthening school security through the provision and use of metal detectors in all public schools in Bulacan, while the second resolution encourages DepEd to formulate school security plans for all public schools in the province in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Additionally, as part of the council meeting, Fernando proudly announced that Bulacan has been officially recognized as a drug-free workplace.
“Malugod kong ibinabalita na ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan ay inisyuhan ng katibayan bilang isang drug-free workplace at ito ay iginawad noong setyembre 15, 2026. Patunay lamang ito ng ating seryoso at masigasig na pagsusumikap sa pag-iwas at pagsugpo sa ipinagbabawal na gamot,” Fernando stated.
In relation to the certification and reports presented, Fernando sought a clarification on the terms drug-free and drug-cleared, in which Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Bulacan Provincial Barangay Drug Clearing Officer Ronamel Reyes expound the definitions, and shared upcoming updates regarding amended policies and new requirements from the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).
The quarterly gathering brought together key leaders from the Provincial Government of Bulacan, Department of the Interior and Local Government, PNP Bulacan, PDEA Bulacan, the 70th Infantry Battalion of the AFP, COMELEC, and DepEd, all working hand-in-hand to plan, coordinate, and evaluate robust public safety and security programs across the province. (UnliNews Online)
