A province-wide school safety initiative is now officially in place in Cebu after Governor Pamela “Pam” Baricuatro signed Executive Order No. 35, Series of 2026, on June 25, 2026 — formalizing the Cebu Safe Schools Program and setting up a dedicated committee to oversee its implementation across all educational institutions in the province.
The signing took place at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, according to the executive order, which declares it a policy of the provincial government to foster learning environments that are safe, inclusive, secure, and resilient. The framework adopts what the order describes as a “whole-of-government and whole-of-community” approach, covering violence prevention, learner protection, and emergency response systems.
Legal Grounding of the Executive Order
The executive order draws its legal basis from two key provisions, as cited in the document itself. The first is Section 13, Article II of the Philippine Constitution, which affirms the vital role of youth in nation-building. The second is the general welfare clause found in Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code, which authorizes local government units to enact measures that promote the general welfare of their constituents.
The order also sets out a broad definition of “threat or violence,” encompassing physical aggression, possession of weapons, bullying, intimidation, harassment, and any other act that places individuals at risk — whether on school grounds or during activities officially sanctioned by the school. Under this definition, the executive order mandates that all campuses across Cebu be shielded from such harm.
A New Committee to Lead the Program
The cornerstone of the program is the newly constituted Cebu Safe Schools Committee (CSSC), which will function under the Cebu Provincial School Board. Governor Baricuatro will serve as chairperson of the body, with Dr. Senen Priscillo P. Paulin, CESO V — the Provincial Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education — designated as vice-chairperson, according to the order’s provisions.
The composition of the CSSC, as enumerated in the executive order, reflects a broad multi-agency structure. Membership includes 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 included, along with the chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Education.
Rounding out the committee are the presidents of the Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation and the Provincial Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations, a duly elected representative from teachers’ organizations, school superintendents from all component cities and municipalities within Cebu Province, and one representative from the private sector.
Ninety Days to Produce a Provincial Safety Plan
The executive order gives the CSSC a 90-day window from the date of the order’s effectivity to draft the Cebu Safe Schools Plan (CSSP). The Cebu Provincial Government, through the executive order, specified that the plan must comprehensively address school safety standards, risk assessment mechanisms, emergency preparedness measures, violence prevention strategies, and crisis communication protocols.
The CSSP must additionally incorporate provisions for mental health and psychosocial support services, capacity development programs for school personnel and stakeholders, monitoring and evaluation systems, and an accounting of the financial requirements needed to carry out the plan, according to the order.
The CSSC is also tasked, on an ongoing basis, with formulating and periodically updating a Provincial Safe Schools Framework and Action Plan. The committee will coordinate all provincial-level efforts involving school safety, child protection, emergency preparedness, violence prevention, and crisis management — ensuring alignment with national legislation and Department of Education directives.
Uniform Security Protocols Required for All School Campuses
Physical security at schools is addressed directly in the executive order, which calls for the adoption of standardized security protocols across every campus in Cebu Province. These protocols include controlled access systems, visitor management procedures, and regularly scheduled emergency drills simulating fire, earthquake, and lockdown scenarios.
Schools are further required, under the order, to conduct annual safety assessments and to implement targeted corrective measures based on the results of those assessments. The executive order also directs campuses to procure and maintain the necessary safety equipment, subject to available budget allocations.
Program Funding and Accountability Mechanisms
Financing for the Cebu Safe Schools Program will be sourced from available provincial government appropriations, consistent with existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules, as stated in the executive order. The CSSC is additionally authorized to seek out and mobilize grants, donations, and technical assistance from national government agencies, international development partners, and private sector entities.
To maintain transparency and accountability, the executive order requires the CSSC to submit an annual report directly to the governor. The report must cover the program’s implementation progress, key accomplishments, emerging issues, and any recommended policy adjustments or interventions.
Full Compliance Required From All Provincial Agencies and LGUs
The Cebu Provincial Government directed all offices, agencies, and local government units falling within the jurisdiction of Cebu Province to comply fully with the executive order and to cooperate with the CSSC in pursuing the program’s stated goals, according to the order’s directive provisions.
The executive order took immediate effect upon its publication and will remain in force unless subsequently amended or repealed by the governor. With the formal establishment of the Cebu Safe Schools Program, the provincial government signals a structured, long-term commitment to protecting students and strengthening the safety of educational institutions across the province.
Source: Cebu Provincial Government / Originally reported by breakingnewsnegrosoriental.com partner wire reports
