PCCI Eastern Visayas Calls for Stronger School Safety Rules After Tacloban Shooting

Posted on August 29, 2026 at 2:58 am

Tacloban City — The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Eastern Visayas is calling for stronger and more consistent safety measures in schools following a recent shooting incident in the region.

In a letter dated July 8, 2026, PCCI Eastern Visayas expressed its support for the proposed School Safety Act and asked Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV to consider measures that would give schools clearer and more consistent safety standards.

PCCI Eastern Visayas Regional Governor Eugene Tan, together with the presidents of local chambers in the region, described the proposed measure as a “timely and meaningful legislative measure.”

Tan said students should be able to go to school and study with “confidence and peace of mind.”

The group said safety measures should not vary widely from one school to another simply because some schools have more resources than others. It is proposing a uniform national standard for school safety and emergency management plans covering both public and private schools.

PCCI Eastern Visayas is also asking lawmakers to consider an “all-hazards” approach to school safety.

Instead of focusing only on incidents such as shootings or other acts of violence, the group wants schools to prepare for different emergencies, including typhoons and other natural disasters, public health emergencies, infrastructure problems, and other threats caused by people.

Tan and the other PCCI leaders also laid out several measures they believe should be part of a national school safety policy.

One is stronger mental health support in schools, including minimum standards for licensed guidance counselors who can help identify emotional and behavioral problems before they become more serious.

The group also proposes a standard student handbook for nationwide use. This would give students the same basic information on safety procedures and anti-bullying rules, regardless of where they study.

Role for Barangay Tanods

PCCI also wants communities to have a bigger role in keeping schools safe.

It proposed using Barangay Tanods as “force multipliers” around school areas. They could help manage traffic and keep an eye on suspicious activity near school entrances and perimeters.

The group is also calling for changes in values education, with a simpler curriculum focused on helping students develop stronger values and a sense of responsibility.

For Tan, the recent incident in Tacloban City shows why school safety cannot be left to individual schools to handle on their own.

He and his colleagues emphasized that the tragedy serves as a clear reminder of the need for stronger, regularly maintained safety measures in schools.

The PCCI Eastern Visayas leaders said protecting students and the wider school community is also about protecting the country’s “future human capital.” A safe school, they said, gives young people a better chance to learn, finish their education, and eventually contribute to the economy.

For the business group, the message is simple: students cannot learn well when they do not feel safe.

Photo Caption: Tacloban National High School steps up its safety measures following a recent shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban

Photo by: Jazmin Bonifacio | Vanguard