Seven public schools in Mandaue City are receiving additional security equipment, including walkthrough metal detectors and handheld screening devices, to prevent weapons and other prohibited items from being brought onto school premises.
Mayor Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano led the turnover of seven walkthrough units and 50 handheld metal detectors on Thursday, Nov. 5, at Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School (MCCNHS) in Barangay Centro.
The walkthrough units were allocated to major public schools, including Don Gerardo Ouano Memorial National High School (DGOMNHS), Mandaue City Central School, Paknaan National High School, Canduman National High School and Subangdaku Elementary School.
Students at MCCNHS were already using the equipment during the turnover ceremony, where Ouano also tested one of the units.
The devices are intended to strengthen security screening at school entrances and support police visibility on campuses.
Ouano said the city’s priority was to protect students, teachers and other school personnel.
“The goal of the city is the safety sa mga estudyante og magtutudlo and school personnel,” he said.
The distribution followed a multi-agency meeting convened by Ouano on Aug. 19, attended by representatives of the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO), Department of Education (DepEd)-Mandaue and various city government departments.
During the meeting, officials discussed measures to prevent violent incidents in schools, including the School Emergency Response Protocol prepared by the MCPO.
The protocol sets out evacuation and lockdown procedures in case of a shooting or an armed individual entering school premises.
Schools were also encouraged to provide dedicated mobile phones with Zoom accounts to facilitate live monitoring and coordination with the Philippine National Police Command Center through a direct hotline during emergencies.
The city government also emphasized closer coordination between parents and teachers as part of its campus security efforts.
DGOMNHS Principal Carmelita Ramirez welcomed the equipment, saying it would help strengthen school security and protect students, teachers and other personnel from potential threats.
The turnover was attended by City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Head Buddy Ybañez, DepEd-Mandaue Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Bianito Dagatan, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Danilo Gudelosao and Administrative Officer Dr. Edgar Espina Jr.
Also present were Police Lieutenant Colonel Randy T. Caballes, MCPO Director Police Colonel Cirilo B. Acosta, MCCNHS School Head Dr. Leslie Joy R. Paña and other school personnel.
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