ILOILO CITY – The Department of Education-6 urged a communal approach in making schools safer in Western Visayas region following the deadly school shooting in Tacloban City.

DepEd-6 information Officer Hernani Escullar Jr. said school safety is not merely the responsibility of school officials.

“It’s everyone’s responsibility, especially the students who are only in the schools for a certain period of time during the day,” Escullar told Manila Bulletin on Wednesday, June 24.

“Parents or guardians also play an important role in monitoring their own children, especially when they exhibit change in drastic behavior,” Escullar said.

DepEd-6 urged local government units (LGUs) and barangays in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo provinces as well as Iloilo City to coordinate with school administrators to provide assistance to schools.

DepEd-6 Director Cristito Eco reiterated a national memorandum tapping the Philippine National Police (PNP) in implementing school security.

“But police officers are not generally allowed inside schools and usually just outside. Their role is to assist existing security guards. Police officers must also be unarmed if they are in the area,” Escullar said.

Some public schools can afford to hire security guards but those that do not have a budget can work with barangay officials to tap barangay tanods (village watchmen) to help in security matters, he said.