President Marcos reaffirmed his commitment to quality education and the safety of students as he ordered Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Nicolas Torre III to set up more than 5,000 police assistance desks near schools and other learning institutions.

“Parents should feel confident that their children are safe while in school,” the President stated.

He emphasized that beyond learning, children must be protected from those who might exploit them and do them harm.

The President visited Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School in Pasay City on Tuesday, June 17, where he directed the PNP to ensure peace and order in schools.

Torre assured the President that over 37,000 police officers were deployed to 38,292 public and 7,682 private schools nationwide for this year’s school opening.

He added that the police assistance desks will be manned by 10,759 officers.

Torre personally visited several schools to inspect their operations and assured the public that police visibility would be enhanced.

He also issued a strong warning to drug dealers and militant groups attempting to target young students to “not even try.”

President Marcos also ordered the PNP to increase police presence in local communities, improve emergency response to 911 calls with a five-minute response time, and intensify the anti-illegal drug campaign while upholding human rights.

In a press briefing in Malacanang, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian outlined the upcoming supplemental feeding program for children in child development centers, formerly known as daycare centers. The program, scheduled to roll out this year, has a proposed budget of ₱5.182 billion and aims to provide daily hot meals to 1.5 million children over a 120-day period.

“With most of these children coming from low-income families, ensuring they receive proper nutrition is vital,” said Gatchalian.

In line with the President’s instruction to improve the quality of nutrition, the cost per meal will rise from ₱15 to ₱25. Additionally, undernourished children will receive fresh milk valued at ₱22 per serving.

Marcos said restoring public trust in law enforcement goes beyond reducing crime statistics—it also means making every Filipino feel secure in their own communities.

“You're not just safe. It's not sufficient that you are safe—you must feel safe,” Marcos said in the second episode of his podcast released on Wednesday, June 18.

The President cited his recent appointment of Torre as Chief PNP which was meant to reinforce this standard.

“That's the only way to regain the trust,” he said.

“Kahit anong mangyari dito, si patrolman ganyan-ganyan nandyan lang yan. Isang tawag lang tatakbo na rito yan (No matter what happens here, that patrolman will always be there. One call and they'll come running),” he added.

According to the President, the government should not be complacent despite the reported falling number of crimes committed.

“Even if the statistics are telling you that crime rate is down, drug seizures are up, that's not enough,” he said.

“People should feel comfortable to walk in the night around their neighborhood— that they can send their child to the sari-sari store. ‘Yan ang kailangan (That’s what we need),” he added.

To achieve this, Marcos said the administration has already started deploying more police officers through the Cops on the Beat program shortly after Torre assumed the post.

“Nararamdaman na kaagad (You can already feel it),” he said.

The goal, he said, is to ensure visible police presence in neighborhoods, which would help deter petty crime and make people feel more confident going about their daily lives.

The President also reaffirmed his support for Torre’s directive that police respond to emergencies within five minutes, aided by the soon-to-be-launched Unified 911 Emergency System.

“That's what we're looking for,” Marcos said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada yesterday backed the reform initiatives that Torre is implementing, saying that ramping up efforts on police response is not only necessary but long overdue.

Estrada, chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, said it is important that the country’s police force gain the public's trust.

Mahalagang-mahalaga na may tiwala ang publiko sa kapulisan. Kapag nakikita nilang may integridad at propesyonalismo ang mga pulis, mas magiging bukas ang mga tao na makipagtulungan sa paglaban sa krimen at sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan sa ating mga komunidad (It is very important that the public has trust in the police force. When they see that the police have integrity and professionalism, people will be more open to cooperating in fighting crime and maintaining order in our communities),” said Estrada.

Estrada, who earlier expressed reservations on Torre’s appointment, said he has been closely monitoring the policy changes in the country’s police force the new PNP chief implemented and acknowledged that revamps are necessary during these challenging times.

He said Torre’s early actions show a deep understanding of the much-needed and urgent reforms needed by the institution.

“Leadership is not about grandstanding – it’s about knowing where to take the institution and having the courage to make tough calls,” the senator said. (With reports from Argyll Cyrus Geducos and Hannah Torregoza)