A formal directive from the Cebu provincial government is now putting school safety at the center of its governance agenda. Governor Pamela "Pam" Baricuatro signed Executive Order No. 35, Series of 2026, on June 25 at the Provincial Capitol, officially launching the Cebu Safe Schools Program — a structured, province-wide initiative designed to address school violence, promote inclusivity, and build resilient learning environments across all educational institutions in Cebu Province.
The order took effect immediately upon publication and will remain enforceable until it is either amended or repealed by a subsequent issuance.
Legal Basis Rooted in Constitution and Local Government Code
According to the executive order, the legal foundation of the program rests on two key provisions: Section 13, Article II of the Philippine Constitution, which recognizes the role of the youth in nation-building, and Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7160 — the Local Government Code — which grants local government units authority to act on matters of general welfare.
The order defines the threat landscape broadly. As stated in the text of EO No. 35, "violence, abuse, bullying, intimidation, and other threats to public safety" are among the conditions that schools must be shielded from. The definition of "threat or violence" under the order covers physical aggression, the presence of weapons, bullying, harassment, intimidation, and any conduct that places persons in danger while on school grounds or participating in school-sanctioned activities.
New Committee to Oversee School Safety Across the Province
The executive order establishes the Cebu Safe Schools Committee (CSSC), which will function under the Cebu Provincial School Board. Governor Baricuatro will serve as chairperson of the body, while Department of Education Provincial Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Senen Priscillo P. Paulin, CESO V, has been designated as vice-chairperson, according to the order.
The membership roster of the CSSC, as enumerated in the executive order, includes the heads of the Provincial Welfare and Development Office, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the Gender and Development Office. Also included are the provincial director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, the chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Education, and the presidents of both the Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation and the Provincial Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations.
Rounding out the committee are an elected representative from teachers' organizations, school superintendents from all component cities and municipalities of Cebu, and a representative from the private sector.
Ninety Days to Produce a Province-Wide Safety Blueprint
One of the CSSC's most immediate obligations under EO No. 35 is the preparation of a Cebu Safe Schools Plan (CSSP). The committee has 90 days from the order's effectivity date to complete and submit this plan, according to the provisions of the executive order.
The plan is required to address eight key areas: school safety standards and risk assessment mechanisms; emergency preparedness programs; violence prevention strategies; crisis communication protocols; mental health and psychosocial support initiatives; capacity development programs; monitoring and evaluation indicators; and funding requirements.
Beyond the initial plan, the CSSC is also directed to periodically update a Provincial Safe Schools Framework and Action Plan, develop standardized protocols for incident reporting, emergency response, and post-incident recovery, and coordinate all provincial efforts on school safety and child protection — all consistent with national laws and issuances from the Department of Education, the order states.
Campus Security Protocols to Be Standardized
On the matter of physical security, EO No. 35 directs the implementation of standardized protocols across all schools in the province. These include controlled access to campus facilities, visitor management systems, and the regular conduct of emergency drills covering fire, earthquake, and lockdown scenarios, according to the executive order.
Schools will also be required to carry out annual safety assessments and to implement targeted improvements based on the findings of those assessments. All facilities must be equipped with appropriate safety equipment, subject to available budget. The order does not mandate a specific minimum budget allocation, but stipulates that all expenditures must comply with existing rules on budgeting, accounting, and auditing.
Program Funding to Tap Both Provincial Appropriations and External Sources
Financing for the Cebu Safe Schools Program will be drawn primarily from available appropriations within the Cebu provincial government's budget. However, EO No. 35 also authorizes the CSSC to seek out and mobilize grants, donations, and technical assistance from national government agencies, development partners, and private sector entities, the order states.
To ensure accountability, the CSSC is required to submit an annual report directly to the governor. According to the executive order, these reports must cover program accomplishments, emerging concerns, and recommended policy interventions for the year ahead.
All Cebu LGUs and Provincial Offices Required to Cooperate
The executive order extends its reach to all offices, agencies, and local government units within Cebu Province, directing them to comply with its provisions and extend full cooperation to the CSSC in the course of program implementation. The order frames this as a "whole-of-government and whole-of-community" responsibility, though it does not specify penalties for non-compliance.
In signing EO No. 35, the Cebu provincial government has formalized its response to longstanding concerns over school safety, campus violence, and emergency preparedness. The creation of the CSSC as a multi-agency oversight body signals an effort to institutionalize and coordinate safety measures across every city and municipality under the province's jurisdiction — moving beyond ad hoc responses toward a standing governance structure with defined mandates, timelines, and reporting obligations.
The program covers all educational institutions in Cebu and positions the provincial government as the lead coordinating authority for school safety policy at the local level.
Originally reported by: Cebu Daily News / Inquirer.net