DepEd inspects ‘model school’ for safety measures

MANILA — Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Wednesday inspected Lakan Dula High School in Manila, which he called a “model school” for implementing safety measures.

Angara noted the school has CCTV cameras and metal detectors in place.

“May coordination sila sa pulis. Tapos maganda ‘yung kanilang first aid at tsaka ‘yung medical equipment nila. Kumpleto rin sila,” Angara said.

(They have coordination with police and they have good first aid and medical equipment. They have complete sets.)

Angara also lauded the school’s initiative of using a QR code and a dropbox to encourage reporting issues like bullying.

He said this would help victims be more confident about making reports.

However, Lakan Dula High School’s School Parent-Teacher Association president Raquel Garcia said they want added security amid recent incidents.

Garcia added that some parents have taken the initiative to conduct safety checks as volunteers.


The school’s principal, Raffy Caballes, said the SPTA and faculty club donated the metal detector while the alumni association provided the CCTV cameras.

“Ngayon po, mayroon kaming 65 CCTV cameras na working,” he said.

(Right now, we have 65 CCTV cameras that are working.)

Angara acknowledged that some schools have budgetary constraints to hiring security staff.

“‘Yung ibang malalaki, hindi nila kaya mag-hire ng pito, walong security guards. So diyan pumapasok ‘yung tulong ng local governments at tsaka ‘yung partnerships,” he said.

(Some large schools cannot hire seven, eight security guards. So that is where help from the local governments and partnerships come in.)

Angara also welcomed parents’ initiative to volunteer for school safety.


“At ‘pag nandidito sila sa security, magiging concerned din sila sa ibang bagay–‘yung mental health, ‘yung paggamit ng social media,” he said.

(And if they are here for security, they will also be concerned about other things like mental health and social media use.)