A new executive order signed by Cebu Governor Pamela "Pam" Baricuatro on June 25, 2026, puts the entire province of Cebu on a formal path toward safer schools — creating a structured, government-backed program that covers everything from physical security to mental health support for learners.
Executive Order No. 35, Series of 2026, establishes the Cebu Safe Schools Program, a comprehensive province-wide initiative aimed at eliminating violence in educational institutions and reinforcing emergency preparedness across all school campuses in Cebu Province. The order was signed at the Provincial Capitol.
Policy Direction: A Whole-of-Government Approach
According to the executive order, the provincial government is declaring it official policy to build and maintain safe, secure, inclusive, and resilient learning environments. The approach prescribed is described as "whole-of-government and whole-of-community," meaning that responsibility for school safety does not rest solely with educators but is shared across government offices, local government units, parents, and the private sector.
The order draws its legal foundation from Section 13, Article II of the Philippine Constitution, which recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building, as well as the general welfare clause under Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7160, more commonly known as the Local Government Code.
Under the EO's definitions, "threat or violence" is interpreted broadly. It covers physical aggression, possession of weapons, bullying, intimidation, harassment, and any act that places persons in danger while on school premises or during school-sanctioned activities. The order mandates that all campuses within the province be protected from these forms of harm.
A New Committee to Lead the Program
The centerpiece of the program is the newly created Cebu Safe Schools Committee (CSSC), which will operate under the Cebu Provincial School Board. Governor Baricuatro herself will serve as committee chair, according to the executive order. Provincial Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Senen Priscillo P. Paulin, CESO V, of the Department of Education has been designated as vice-chairperson.
Membership of the CSSC, as detailed in the order, draws from a broad cross-section of provincial government offices and community representatives. These include the heads of the Provincial Welfare and Development Office, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the Gender and Development Office. The provincial director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office is also a member, alongside the chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Education.
Also sitting on the committee are the presidents of the Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation and the Provincial Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations, an elected representative from teachers' organizations, school superintendents of all component cities and municipalities in Cebu, and one representative from the private sector.
Ninety Days to Produce a Province-Wide Safety Plan
The executive order gives the CSSC a 90-day window from the date of effectivity to produce a Cebu Safe Schools Plan (CSSP). This document, as prescribed by the order, must address school safety standards, risk assessment mechanisms, emergency preparedness, violence prevention strategies, and crisis communication protocols.
The plan must further include provisions for mental health and psychosocial support, capacity development programs for school personnel, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and a breakdown of funding requirements, according to the order's provisions.
Beyond this initial plan, the CSSC is additionally tasked with formulating a Provincial Safe Schools Framework and Action Plan, which is to be updated periodically. The committee is also responsible for coordinating all provincial-level efforts related to school safety, child protection, violence prevention, emergency preparedness, and crisis management — all aligned with national laws and Department of Education issuances.
Standardized Security Measures Across All Campuses
On the matter of physical security, the executive order requires that standardized protocols be established and observed across every school campus in the province. These protocols, as specified by Governor Baricuatro's order, include controlled access points, visitor management systems, and regularly scheduled emergency drills for fire, earthquake, and lockdown scenarios.
All schools are further required to conduct annual safety assessments and to implement targeted improvements based on the results of those assessments. The order also mandates that campuses be outfitted with appropriate safety equipment, subject to available budget allocations from the provincial government.
Program Funding and External Support
Financing for the Cebu Safe Schools Program will come from the provincial government's available appropriations, consistent with existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing regulations, as stated in the executive order. The CSSC is also authorized under the order to seek out and accept grants, donations, and technical assistance from national government agencies, development partners, and private sector entities.
Accountability mechanisms are built into the program. The CSSC is required to submit an annual report directly to the governor covering the program's implementation status, accomplishments, challenges encountered, and recommended policy interventions going forward.
Full Compliance Required From All Provincial Offices and LGUs
The executive order directs every office, agency, and local government unit operating within Cebu Province to comply with its provisions and to extend full cooperation to the CSSC as it carries out the program's objectives. No exemptions are cited in the order.
The order took effect immediately upon its publication and will remain in force unless amended or repealed by the governor. With its signing, Cebu Province joins a growing number of local government units in the country taking proactive legislative steps to address school safety concerns through structured, multi-agency programs.
Originally reported by: Cebu Provincial Government / breakingnewsnegor.com source files