A ranking congressman from Metro Manila is batting for the creation of a national council that gives parents a direct hand in education policy and school governance.

Quezon City 5th district Rep. PM Vargas has filed House Bill (HB) No. 5682, which institutionalizes the National Parent Council in a bid to nip incidents of campus violence in the bud and boost school oversight.

Vargas showed foresight in introducing the measure in October 2025--months before reports of school shootings unfortunately became front page material.

"Education is a shared responsibility. Habang nagbibigay ng academic learning ang ating mga paaralan, sa tahanan naman natututunan ang tamang asal at pag-uugali ng ating kabataan,” Vargas said in justifying the bill.

(While our schools provide academic learning, it is at home where our youth learn proper values and behavior.)

The measure comes amid growing national concern over student mental health, campus security, and early-intervention support for struggling learners.

A total of five student deaths have been caused by two school shootings--first in Tacloban City and then in Zamboanga City--in less than two months.

Vargas says that establishing a formal framework for parent-teacher associations allows communities to monitor behavioral warning signs and address potential campus violence before it escalates.

Under the proposed "National Parent Council Act," a National Parent Council (NPC) will be established as an official advisory body directly attached to the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).

According to Vargas, the measure guarantees parent representation across all administrative levels, reserving mandatory seats for parent representatives in local government education committees as well as individual school advisory boards nationwide.

“By creating a structured national council, mabibigyan ng boses at plataporma ang ating mga magulang para maging aktibong partner sa paghubog ng ating educational system,” Vargas said.

(By creating a structured national council, our parents will be given a voice and a platform to become active partners in shaping our educational system.)

Aside from policy advisory roles, HB No. 5682 grants the council oversight powers to review school fees, monitor local educational infrastructure projects, and participate in DepEd policy formulation.

To incentivize community involvement, the bill provides tax exemptions on all donations and contributions made by parent association members toward approved school projects. Active parent council participation will also be integrated as a mandatory evaluative criterion in school accreditation.

“Ang pagpapatibay ng pag-uugnayan sa pagitan ng mga magulang at paaralan ang pinaka-epektibong paraan para protektahan ang ating mga anak at gabayan sila para maging responsableng mamamayan,” Vargas said.

(Strengthening the link between parents and schools is the most effective way to protect our children and guide them to become responsible citizens.)

“Dapat nating harapin nang magkakasama at nagkakaisa ang mga suliranin sa ating mga paaralan. Para ito sa susunod na henerasyon, para ito sa ating mga kabataan,” he added.

(We must face the challenges in our schools together and united. This is for the next generation, this is for our youth.)