Ian Paolo Villacencio

A proposal was raised to allocate a specific budget for the installation of CCTV cameras in public schools, with the goal of preventing bullying and improving overall campus security.

Photo Courtesy of Cebu Daily News/Philippine Star.

This initiative was proposed by Senate Basic Education Committee chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian, in a Senate hearing on April 8. 

“Maybe it’s about time to already allocate a separate budget for CCTV and I will move for the 2026 budget [to] include a separate item for CCTVs in schools,” Gatchalian noted. 

Recognizing the role of surveillance in deterring such incidents, he  believes that having security cameras on campus can help monitor student behavior, discourage bullying, and provide crucial evidence when incidents occur.   

“I think that would be a good preventive measure.Alam naman natin, tayo mismo, kung alam natin na may CCTV nag-iisip tayong maraming beses bago gumawa ng hindi maganda," the committee head said.

He expressed concern over the growing severity of bullying in schools, pointing out that it has taken a more violent turn.  

“Bullying has become more violent….. The victims were not only bullied, but their videos were even uploaded [in the internet] to shame them,” the senator stated. 

The Department of Education (DepEd) Assistant Secretary for Operations Dexter Galban confirmed that, at present, no specific budget has been allocated for the installation of CCTVs in schools. 

However, he mentioned that schools do have the option to utilize their Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) funds to purchase security cameras, though this funding is not specifically designated for such equipment. 

“The schools may purchase it via [maintenance and other operating expenses],” he said. 

The statements in the said hearing by Sen. Gatchalian, was in response to a series of student-initiated violent incidents, including the death of a 14-year-old girl who was stabbed by a classmate inside their Parañaque City school.

According to Dr. Leonisa Romano, the principal of Moonwalk National High School, where the fatal stabbing occurred on March 26, the culprit, also known as the child in conflict with the law (CICL), is a male classmate of the victim. 

Romano said these CCTVs helped them in monitoring incidents within the school premises, while also stating the incident only took a couple of minutes. 

“It lasted only a few seconds, and everything happened in less than two minutes. This is also according to the CCTV footage,” Romano said. 

On the other hand, Gatchalian said in a separate statement that a hearing would be held to assess the actions and plans of the government, schools, principals, and parents in addressing the issue at hand. #