In the wake of the deadly high school shooting in Tacloban, officials of the Department of Education – Cordillera Administrative Region (DepEd – CAR) ordered tightening campus security and enforce strict teacher-to-class ratios to protect more than 147,000 high school students.
In a recent press statement, DepEd – CAR regional director Dr. Nicolas Capulong has issued an official safety directive following the June 22 attack at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where two minor students opened fire inside a classroom, leaving three students dead and several others wounded.
According to the statement, the rare school shooting is a “solemn reminder” of the vulnerability of educational facilities, triggering an immediate review of security across the Cordillera region’s 1,843 public and 228 private schools.
“The safety and well-being of learners and personnel are paramount,” the statement reads, pledging to maintain schools as “safe, secure, and nurturing environments.”
Under the newly reinforced safety framework, regional education officials are mandating all school divisions build an active “culture of vigilance” to prevent similar local tragedies.
Personnel, including both teaching and non-teaching staff, have been ordered to act proactively by immediately reporting any institutional security risks to school heads or division offices.
To strengthen physical security, schools in the region are instructed to enter into immediate inter-agency collaborations with local government units and law enforcement agencies to create defense rings around school properties and protect education workers.
Education officials are also linking campus safety directly to strict teacher staffing ratios, framing the personnel requirements as a tool for structural vigilance.
Officials say that maintaining specific teacher-to-class ratios provides the necessary eyes on the ground to monitor high-density environments.
The policy will heavily impact the region’s 147,822 high school learners, who are split between 104,471 Junior High and 43,351 Senior High students.
In Junior High School, the region enforces a strict requirement of five teachers for every four classes. In Senior High School, the requirement increases to nine teachers for every six classes.
According to regional officials, these ratios ensure there are always “extra” teachers available outside the classroom to handle student supervision, manage student movement, and prevent overcrowding—a factor officials warn can lead to security lapses or complicate emergency exit protocols.
Capping class sizes at 40 to 45 learners is intended to help teachers notice behavioral changes or potential security threats before they escalate.
According to DepEd-CAR “Quick Count” data released June 10, total student numbers across all levels reached 334,949, up sharply from 173,960.
Public schools bear the brunt of the security challenge, holding 93% of the region’s student population with 311,622 learners.
The division of Benguet holds the largest student volume with 83,938 learners, followed by Baguio City with 59,868.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office – Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO – CAR) has intensified its security measures by deploying police personnel to public and private schools throughout the region.
The deployment of police officers forms part of PRO CAR’s continuing commitment to maintaining a safe, orderly, and conducive learning environment for all learners in the region.
In addition to strengthening police visibility within and around school premises, police personnel are also prepared to assist in traffic management, crime prevention, and the immediate response to incidents that may affect peace, order, and public safety.
Cordiller police also reminded the public that during emergencies, accidents, crimes, or any situation requiring immediate assistance, they may call the Unified 911 Emergency Hotline. NLMonitor
